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.
Are you aware that your workbench height is important to your work quality? In order to attain the perfect workbench height, first measure how far it is from the middle of your waist to the floor. This will be the optimum height for your ideal workbench.
Always use the safety equiptment that came with any of your woodworking tools. You may feel that a sheild is getting in your way when you are sawing, but its purpose is to protect you from serious injury. If you feel tempted just think of what it would be like to lose a finger or worse.
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.
Glue can cause nasty stains on your finished work. You can eliminate stains easily using a piece of tape. First, clamp your wood together without any glue. Put a piece of tape over the joint. Cut the tape on the joint with a sharp knife. You can now clamp the wood together with glue and any excess will ooze onto the tape, not the wood.
Stir, never shake stains and finishes before use. Over time, these settle, so mixing is necessary. Shaking, however, adds bubbles and doesn't always mix the stain or finish thoroughly. Stirring mixes the products better by evenly mixing in any settlement that occurred during storage. Stains and finishes that are not mixed thoroughly will not apply correctly to the wood you're staining and are at risk of looking blotchy.
Make sure to purchase and wear proper ear protection. The machinery used can get very loud. You can lose your hearing if you aren't careful. Get some cheap ear plugs or high-quality headphones that block out noise. Be sure that whatever you pick out is used when you're trying to operate machinery.
When working with wood, consider the grade of wood you are using. Wood can be costly and it is not always necessary to use a high-cost wood. If budget is a concern, look at the durability and strength of different woods that may come in a little cheaper and still work for your project.
One thing to keep in mind with woodwork is always crowning your wood. This is done by looking down the edge of your lumber and finding the high side. Always put the high side up, which will create a more uniform and more supportive floor and roof line for your home.
When wiping excess stain off wood, wipe in the direction of the grain. Otherwise, the stain will just lay on top. Not only does this ensure that the stain is getting all the way into the grain, it will show off the grain of the wood to its best advantage.
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.
Always measure twice and cut once when working with wood. Most woodworkers have heard this; however, most do not follow this advice. Simply double checking to ensure that your measurements are correct can save you both time and money. Additionally, ensure that you have an accurate tape measure for best results.
Of the surface of the wood in your project has been dinged or dented by accident, you need to remove the blemish before you finish it. If the fibers of the wood are only crushed, not torn, you can use steam to fix the problem. Fill the depression with a drop or two of water and use a hot iron over a damp cloth to level the dent.
Develop good safety habits when beginning your woodworking hobby. It is easy to disregard safety, thinking that it doesn't really matter if you wear safety glasses, for example. You'll change your mind the first time you sustain an injury while doing something you enjoy. So start right - think safety!
If you are new to woodworking, start small. Although you may be tempted to dive in to a difficult project, it is best to start small and slowly build your skills. Consider building a birdhouse or a shelf to help you learn your way around your woodworking shop and tools.
Make planning something that takes as much time as the doing. Seriously, when you plan things out, you are less likely to make mistakes and your "doing" time will be a lot shorter. Some people find planning to this extent boring, but the simple fact is it can save you money and time overall.
Be certain that your woodworking power tools are in tip top shape before you begin working. Your saw blades and drill bits should be perfectly sharp and installed properly. If you try to use a saw blade or drill bit that is dull or slightly askew, you are sure to run into problems that could be quite dangerous. Additionally, using less than optimal equipment can only detract from the efficiency and accuracy of your work.
When working with wood, remember that everything does not need to be perfect. Your creations are allowed to have personality. You will get better as you go along, and the tips you have just read will help you find your way in the field of woodworking.
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