Woodworking is a skill that has been valued since the beginning of time. Many woodworkers enjoy it from an artistic point of view while others enjoy creating larger, more functional items. But whatever it is that you enjoy about woodworking, here are some tips to help you enjoy it even more.
Organize your shop’s extension cords to keep your shop safe and tidy. You can make your own cord keeper with nothing more than a scrap piece of wood. Simply cut a piece of wood in the shape of an I and wrap each of your extension cords around the wood.
It is important that you have a realistic idea of your budget and what you can make with it. A lot of times, your eyes can be way bigger than your budget when you do woodworking projects. It can be disappointing to find out that the money isn’t there after you have already completed half of the project. Do your homework in advance and select projects that you know you can finish.
Before using any new tool, do your research on it in full. New tools can mean serious injuries for those that use them incorrectly. Even if you’re pretty sure of how to use it, don’t risk it. Study up via the web and books related to the tool in question.
Add a stair gauge to the shop that you create. They can be used to clamp a carpenter’s square along with laying out stair jacks. This will transform your carpenter’s square from a straight-line tool, into a straight guide for your saw. The square will get you wonderfully straight cuts all the time.
When applying stain, work in a well-lit and well-ventilated area. When you make sure your project is under the strongest light in your work area, you more easily spot drips, runs and any spots you missed. Ventilation is also important to protect your health, and even on small projects, strong fumes can affect you by making you feel sick or giving you a headache.
You can make a sanding block even better. Cut a small slot about 3/8 of inch deep, a little less than an inch from the outside edge. Run it the entire length of the block. Now the sandpaper will fit into this slot easily, and it will stay in place more securely.
Don’t forget to stay in touch with other people. The workshop likely limits your contact with the outside world. Still, you may get stuck on some tricky projects. Get help and support from other woodworkers during these times. You will never find a problem that someone hasn’t had before you and asked about.
Give yourself ample time for a woodworking project. A project may look simple on paper, but in reality it can be multiple hours or even multiple days. Plan ahead to make sure that you are set in terms of the necessary time. If a project stretches on for weeks because of poor planning, it may end up never getting done.
Keep an eye out for discarded furniture. These pieces will often have useful pieces of wood you can use yourself. Stop to think about other prospects before pushing aside what you’re seeing. If the dresser is not useful, do something with the drawers.
You cannot anticipate when a foreign object may fly into your eye. Therefore, always wear your goggles to avoid an accident. Make sure your pair fits snugly and let you see well.
As you already know, woodworking can be a very useful and creative hobby. There is a lot of creativity and enjoyment that goes into creating items of wood. Hopefully the tips from above will enhance your woodworking efforts and inspire you to make even more works of art to enjoy.
Leave a Reply