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Learn All You Can About Woodwork Here

By The Carpenter

This is the article for you if you are interested in expanding your woodworking knowledge. The article below is full of great tips for people at every skill level. If you wish to go to new heights in woodworking, read the tips that follow.

Test out stains on a hidden spot. This will help you to pick the right stain color for your project. Wood is pretty unpredictable, so doing this small test can help you avoid any errors.

TIP! Before you commit stain to wood, it is usually a good idea to test out the stain in an unseen area of the wood first. Then, you can stay away from any surprises if the stain looks differently after application.

When you are working with wood, always think about safety. Always wear safety equipment and use tools the proper way. Guards on power tools are provided for your protection so leave them alone. You do not want to start a woodworking project and end up in the hospital.

Pre-stain wood conditioners should be used prior to staining any wood project. This will help you to get an even finish when you stain. These conditioners will smooth out the uneven nature of the wood and allow your stain to penetrate evenly.

Use stair gauges to guide your crosscuts. Make sure that they are clamped next to the carpenter’s square when you cut. Mark the notches. Putting them onto the tongue of the carpenter’s square will produce a good crosscut guide for the circular saw.

TIP! You can make your crosscut guides using stair gauges. To use, clamp the gauges to a carpenter square.

Do you know how to find the best height for your workbench? You can find it by measuring the how far it is from the floor to your waist. This tells you the right workbench height for your needs.

When budgeting for a project, do not forget to include the cost of any new tools you will need to acquire to finish it. You may overlook this and not factor in the cost. But, if you need other things that you don’t own and didn’t think about, you can really mess up your budget and may not be able to finish your project.

The height of the work bench you use affects the quality of your finished product. It should hit at your midline. That tells you the best height for a good workbench.

TIP! Your workbench height is important. In order to attain the perfect workbench height, first measure how far it is from the middle of your waist to the floor.

Whenever you’re thinking of cutting a piece of wood that’s narrow, don’t try to use your fingers to guide it. The smart thing to do is to use another wood piece to push your wood up to the saw. This will help to keep you from cutting off your fingers, which would be a travesty.

You likely already know that you want to have a ruler on hands at all times, but it can be hard to keep it from falling out of your pocket. To solve this problem, purchase a metal ruler and keep it next to a small telescoping magnet in your pocket. The magnet will keep the ruler safely in your pocket.

Always stir your stains instead of shaking. It is possible that some of the ingredients will settle as time goes on. However, shaking can cause bubbles, and things may not mix properly. Stir for at least five minutes so that everything is even.

TIP! Stir finishes or stains before using them. Some of the ingredients in these stains and finishes tend to settle to the bottom over time.

Use the right sized nail for a job. Using improper nails is a common mistake make by beginners. Nails that are too big can split the wood. Nails that are too small won’t hold the pieces together. You should know what size you need to get the job done.

Is there a screw that’s hard to reach, and you can’t get that screwdriver in? Your toolbox has answers. Get your longest handle screwdriver, as well as a 12-point socket. Put the socket over the handle of the screwdriver, then use the ratchet to reach tough spots.

Don’t guide your saw with your fingers when cutting narrow pieces of wood. Instead, a long and thin piece of scrap wood should be used to push your piece through your saw. This will help you keep your fingers, which you need to be a great woodworker.

TIP! Whenever you plan to cut a narrow piece of wood, don’t use your fingers as a guide! Rather, make use of a strip of wood that is long and thin to push your current piece entirely through the saw. This keeps your fingers safe, which of course are vital for living as well as the continuation of your wood working projects.

Don’t forget to stay in touch with other people. Most woodworking shops do not have access to the Internet. Still, you are going to get stumped or stuck on particular projects. Speak with other people in woodworking that can offer helpful solutions to things that confuse you. You are unlikely to encounter a situation that someone else has never dealt with.

When you are sanding, do not apply a lot of pressure. Pressure can make the surface uneven. If you’re using the right sand paper grit, the pressure should not matter. Press lightly and use a circular motion.

Get to know the general properties of any wood you are buying, especially if you want to stain it later. You’ll want to look for paint-grade or stain-grade woods, depending on your desires for the project. Similarly, particleboard and veneer are very different; veneer does not always absorb enough stain, while particleboard absorbs too much. Choosing the correct piece of wood helps turn the project you work into something special.

Drafting Square

Use a drafting square to complete your projects. Accuracy can be a problem when you are working with pieces under two or three feet. Squares can be hard to use, whether carpenter or dry wall. Instead, stop by your local art supply store for a drafting square. They’re accurate and easy to use.

It seems like a sound idea to have a small ruler within one of your pockets, but you are bound to discover that it falls out any time you bend over. To solve this problem, purchase a metal ruler and keep it next to a small telescoping magnet in your pocket. The magnet will keep the ruler in place.

TIP! Many people have a small ruler on them when working in the shop. Sometimes it will fall out of your pocket when you move around.

Use only one extension cord for your power tools to avoid having an octopus of cords. You should unplug the previously used tool before plugging in the tool you wish to use. In this way, you can avoid electrocuting yourself or tripping over a tangle of cords.

As previously stated, the tips above work for any woodworker of any level. You have likely found at least one tip you can use for the next project you have in mind. Now is is the time to get going!

Wear footwear that’s sturdy when doing woodworking projects. There are sure to be lots of nails, tools and wood chunks everywhere you step. You want to make sure your feet are protected in case you kick something or step on any nails. Use strong shoes intended for the workplace to protect your feet.

Filed Under: Woodworking Tips Tagged With: drafting square, power tools

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