What do you need to know about the craft of woodworking? It is not just sticking cut pieces of wood together. There is plenty more to woodworking than just those things. It is a very fun and rewarding hobby, and the tips below can help you get started.
When you’re using finishes or stains you should always stir them instead of shaking them. Certain ingredients in such items tend to settle with time. Shaking the product is likely to lead to a frothy mix that still isn’t properly mixed. Stir thoroughly until it is smooth and even.
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.
A dry fitting is important to do before adding glue to your wood. When you try to move things around after applying the glue, you’ll likely end up with a big mess. A dry fit is going to help you figure out what goes where.
Be safe when you first start out in woodworking. Wear the proper safety clothing, including goggles. You may feel silly, but you are dealing with sharp tools and splintering wood. These are things that can cause significant injuries to even the most seasoned woodworker. So be safe, and make sure all that are around you are safe too.
If you have interior doors that are starting to come loose, you can easily remedy this problem with golf tee. Remove hinges and door from door frame and lightly tap one golf tee inside each of the screw holes. Cut the extra golf tee off and install the door again. The screw will be able to then hold on to the golf tee in order to function properly.
Stumped on a good woodworking project? Take a walk around your home. There are always things around your home that need fixing. Or you may see an area that could use something new that can be created with your skills. Let your house become the inspiration for what you really need.
Always clean up sanding dust thoroughly before staining or applying a topcoat. If you want a smooth finish, dust is your enemy. Use a vacuum over blowing dust into the air because it settles back onto the wood, and use a damp cloth to ensure all dust is removed from the wood in your final cleanup prior to staining or applying a top coat.
Save some money and practice your woodworking skills by building essential items for your work space. Build some counters to work on and a work bench. Get creative and you can make your work space even more organized and efficient since you have the ability to organize the area.
Do you know more about woodworking now? Start learning how woodworking can benefit you. This could be a hobby or a full time job; either way, the knowledge you learned here is of great benefit.
Beatrice Cox is a writer and stylist with a passion for the intersection between biology, technology and design. High in Swedish Bali and Heritage, it travels around the world encouraged and informed a global perspective on the future of fashion and its relations with planetary health. She is currently working for a sustainable fashion label in Bali, Indonesia.