Woodworking Tips And Tools For Beginners (The Steps Are Easy!)

Even before modern times, wood is already one of the basic materials that humans worked on. From building their homes to using wood as part of their everyday lives such as hunting for food, eating or cooking.

Woodworking is basically an activity for creating items from wood. In modern times, you often see these as carpentry, cabinet making or furniture-making. And with the advancements in technology, woodworking has become much easier to execute and you’ll be able to carry on projects that you have always dreamed about.

Basic tips and tools for woodworking beginners

1. Knowing and understanding the tools you need :

Hand Tools

The basic definition of a hand tool is any tool that is powered by the hand. It’s a tool that is operated by manual labor rather than with the help of an engine. With woodworking, there are basic hand tools you must know and learn how to use. These include your tape measure and pencil, hand saw, sandpaper or sanding blocks, hammer, screwdrivers and chisels.

Power Tools

On the other hand, power tools are the ones operated with the use of an engine. The basic power tools used in woodworking that you need to get yourself familiarized with include a circular saw, drill, jigsaw, table saw and power sanders.

2. Pick an Easy Woodworking Projects for Beginners that you understand and you’re most interested in :

Creating something using wood as your material can give you limitless ideas of which projects to take in. It could be woodworking projects such as plant boxes for your garden or a well-crafted toy for your child or maybe a creative piece of furniture that you have designed yourself. The important thing to keep in mind is that it’s better to start with simple and small projects when you’re a beginner. This will give you that practice that you need and also get you into the routine of planning how to complete your project. And while you are at it, you’ll also get the chance to discover which project you are most interested and focused in doing. Read more projects from luxuryhomestuff.com

3. Be sure to set up a clean and safe workstation for your woodworking projects :

With everything that you do in life, safety should always comes first. In starting woodworking projects, you must first set up a designated workstation and ensure that it’s always clean and safe. Unstable work tables, too many dangling cords, lack of storage for you tools are a few of the things that can jeopardize not only you work but also your safety when making these projects. Here are a few safety tips that you need to remember.

Wearing safety equipment and appropriate clothing

When it comes to safety equipment, the basics include safety gloves to protect you from any possible hand injuries. You’ll also need earplugs to protect your hearing from ear damaging noises. And let’s not forget protective glasses for your eyes. As for your clothing, it’s best not to wear loose-fitting clothes. You must also remember to avoid wearing jewelry while working.

Always unplug your power tools when not in use or when you’re changing blades or bits

Do not, by all means, leave a power tool plugged in when not in use or after a day’s work is done. The possibility of yourself or anyone inside your home running into a plugged in machine can be a disaster. You must also remember to unplug your power tools when it’s time to change a blade or bit. This very simple rule can save you from losing a finger or maybe even worse.

Always clean up after a day’s work (check for nails, screws or wood pieces laying around)

Safety maybe the most important rule but you must not forget about cleanliness as well. Once you’re done for the day, make sure that you clean your workstation and keep your tools in their respective places. Check for nails, screws or wood pieces that are just lying around. It’s better that you avoid stepping on these things, so be mindful to keep the things you have used properly. As such, this basic rule of cleanliness should always be taken seriously.

Don’t work under the influence of drugs or alcohol

Focus and concentration are a must in all types of work. When doing a woodwork project always keep a clear mind. Your creativity will easily flow through your work if you always keep your mind fixed on your project. Being under the influence of any intoxicating substances won’t work wonders for you in completing your project. It’s better to steer clear from any substances that may impair your judgment while doing woodwork projects and also to keep you out of possible accidents or danger.

Basic skills for woodworking projects

1. Cutting :

There are several types of cuts that a beginner has to learn for woodworking. The basic ones are the straight cuts, angled and curved cuts. Every type has its own purpose and is made by using different tools. In reducing large pieces of wood into smaller ones, you’ll also use straight cuts which are either rip cuts or crosscuts. On the other hand, angled cuts are mostly used for making joints and curved cuts are used mostly for decorative purposes.

2. Drilling :

Learning how to properly drill holes is another crucial skill that you should learn for your woodworking project. It may sound easy but you must ensure to drill the right depth in the right place every time. A cordless drill is the most basic tool you must have for this type of job. It’s easy to use, long lasting and since it is cordless, you can take it anywhere.

3. Sanding

To make your woodwork project free from burrs and splinters, sanding the wood is important. There are many types of sanders but the cheapest and most basic is the hand sander. Hand sanders are best for small pieces. For a larger pieces and a more powerful sander, you can opt for a belt sander. The grit of the sandpaper determines how fine it is. It usually ranges from 20 to 1000, with 20 as extremely coarse and 1000 as the finest. For finishing touches on your project, sanding with a grit of 200 will smooth things out easily.

4. Painting

After sanding your project, the finishing touch usually comprises of just painting it. This will give your woodwork piece that professional and well-finished look you want to achieve. You can choose from using a latex paint which is used in general applications and is water-based. It adheres to most materials and is very durable.

Another type is the oil-based paint which is best used for painting over previous coats. After choosing which paint will be perfect for your finished woodwork pieces, you should also consider the level of sheen for your paint. This ranges from flat to gloss. The paint with glossier sheen has greater durability which makes it more washable. A flatter paint on the other hand is easier to do touch-ups on and hides surface imperfections better.

Bearing these knowledge in mind along with your will to learn and master these skills will now put you on the right path in carrying out that woodwork project you are planning to do. As such, learning new things and gaining new skills will be more exciting and possible if you put your passion and drive into it. With all of these combined, creating wondrous woodwork pieces is now within your reach.

Ultimately, planning and working towards completing a project maybe tiring and at most times, may also give you challenges along the way. However, always remember to keep everything light and find ways to enjoy your time and have fun while working on your project. Things that are created out of joy always come out great. We hope that you picked up many useful things from this article and we’re looking forward to hearing your thoughts about the things that we have shared with you.

Share with us your first woodworking project experience by sounding it on the comment section below! Until then, happy woodworking!