If you have been wanting to dive into the craft of woodworking, then you have probably thought quite a lot about how to get started. It is hard when you do not know what you are doing, but practice and creativity comes a long way. There are so many different kinds of woodworking to learn about.
Woodworking can be a fun, and satisfying, hobby. However, it is very important to play it safe when working with tools, substances that cause fumes and other common dangers of the craft. Be sure to wear safety glasses, allow plenty of fresh air for ventilation when using oil-based products and always read the directions before you start anything!
Don’t neglect sanding your wood. Sanding may be tedious, but the quality of your workmanship will suffer if you leave the scrapes and nicks where they are. Not to mention, those scratches and nicks absorb more stain and paint, making them stand out more, and making your work look shoddy.
Before staining your project, test the stain in a hard to see area, or, better yet, on a piece of scrap wood of the same type. This way you will avoid any surprises in case the color of the stain looks different after application. Wood is not always predictable, so you can stay away from disappointment and mistakes with this easy test.
Familiarize yourself with the tools that you are going to use. This is a very important tip for the beginner, but even more advanced woodworkers can benefit from it too. Lay out the tools and make sure that you know the workings of each one. If you’ve got a brand new tool to you, spend the time that you need with it.
Whenever you work with wood, wear a pair of safety glasses and a dust mask to keep yourself safe. When cutting or even hammering into wood, pieces can fly up into your eyes or be breathed in. This can lead to health issues which can end your enjoyment of this pursuit for good.
If you are trying new skills, make sure that you practice on some wood that has no value, like some scraps. You don’t want to waste an expensive piece of wood before you know exactly what you are doing. Once you have mastered your new skills, you can move to a better piece of wood.
If you have a high skill level when it comes to woodworking you may want to think about taking some time to share your knowledge with others. You can keep it simple by recording what you do step-by-step or you could take it to a higher level and teach a class.
Add a stair gauge to the shop that you create. They not only assist with stair jack layouts, but can also be used when your carpenter’s square needs to be clamped. This can make a carpenter’s square serve as a guide for a circular saw. This is a good way to cut your wood in a straight line.
Do you lose drill press key chucks often? A good way to keep them within reach is to drill a hole somewhere on the drill press they fit. On top of the press is a good place, where you can see it. Drill a small hole the exact same size of the chuck’s crossbar and it will fit in perfectly.
Woodworking is such an interesting art form. Let’s hope this article has provided some great information to take with you. Woodworking is worth your time, whether you’re upgrading furniture, making children’s toys or flat out building something. Action helps spur creativity, and getting started is the first step!
Leave a Reply