Have you admired a beautiful piece of furniture and dreamed of creating such an item yourself? Do you have a need for a new shelf and want to build it on your own? Regardless of why you want to get involved in woodworking, the advice below will help you get your start.
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!
Clean your saw’s teeth before cutting lumber. To thoroughly clean your saw blade dip a shop rag into a little acetone and wipe the blade thoroughly. Additionally, using a piece of sandpaper that has a fine grit will remove any sap or gumminess from your skill saw’s cutting blades.
Never skip sanding when it is necessary or think that staining hides imperfections in the wood. Wood with scratches, dents and nicks absorbs much more finish or stain than wood that is smooth. When you skip sanding or do not do a thorough job of it, the imperfections stand out even more because of the increased absorption.
If you find that there is rust on any of your woodworking tools there is a rather easy solution. As long as the rust is just on surface, all you need to do is use a pumice stone on the spot. Be sure to scrub gently, as being too rough can lead to you damaging the tool itself.
Learn from woodworking experts. In fact, you could even search out a mentor that you can shadow to learn best woodworking practices. Seeing these skills in motion are some of the best ways to pick up and really own different woodworking techniques. And you may even make a long term friend in the process.
You make mistakes. Always remember that, but never say it. You have made mistakes in the past, you are going to make them in the future. Always treat them as learning opportunities. However, never point them out to others or talk about them. Others may not notice, or even care. They’re likely to just be impressed you did something they couldn’t.
You can apply stain with either a brush, or a rag. Work the stain in against the grain, and with it as well. You need not be neat, just get a smooth, even coat on the wood. Then, wipe immediately for a lighter tone, or leave it on for up to fifteen minutes before wiping for a deeper tone.
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.
Keep your woodworking tools well sharpened. Dull tools produce messy work and can be hard to use. Not only that, but it can injure you if you have to use excessive force to cut. A sharp tool gives you a cleaner and more efficient cut. You can really notice the difference.
To get off on the right foot, use these tips as you plan out your next project. That will allow you to use the right techniques to ensure your end result is on target. Once you get that project under your belt, you’ll be able to complete others and truly enjoy woodworking as a hobby.
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