11 Things I Wish I Knew About Woodworking When I First Started

11 Things I Wish I knew About Woodworking When I First Started

Woodworking is a rewarding and satisfying hobby that so many of us enjoy. As with any trade or skill, I have discovered many tips and tricks throughout the years that have greatly improved my abilities.

The following list is eleven of the most useful things I have learned about woodworking. By becoming familiar with each one, you will save yourself many headaches.

1. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Advice

Fellow woodworkers love to share their tips and tricks of the trade. Read woodworking magazines and ask questions of others interested in this hobby or those who have made woodworking their trade.

Along with talking to people in your community, take advantage of the internet. There is literally a whole world out there ready to give you pointers. Endless information can be found at your fingertips.

Use social media such as Facebook to connect with woodworking organizations. You’ll also find many blogs as well as helpful instructional videos on YouTube.

2. Enjoy Woodworking

Don’t get so caught up in wanting to be the best and create the most perfect projects that you forget to slow down and enjoy the hobby for what it is. Take your time and enjoy each step towards that finished project.

When we get to eager for that finished piece, we miss the beauty of the creation process. Relax and have fun. Do this even on those days where it feels like nothing is turning out right.

Do your best without expecting perfection. You should be doing woodworking because it makes you happy.

3. Put the Measuring Tape Away

Proper measuring is the key to pieces fitting together snugly, but there are times when a story stick or simply eyeballing will work better. A story stick is nothing more than a scrap piece of wood where you can mark the length needed with a pencil rather than measuring precisely and trying to re-measure the surface to be cut.

Don’t rush into your cuts. Mark cut lines with a pencil, but cut on the generous side of the line. You can always sand the piece down to the proper fit, but you can’t add on to a cut.

4. Keep Tools Sharp

A dull blade causes chipping and tearing which can become extremely frustrating. It takes less effort to cut with a sharp tool, and it is much safer. The clean cuts left behind will save on your sanding time as well due to the fact that the cut ends won’t be as rough and jagged.

It does take time to consistently check both your hand and power tools for sharp blades. A few minutes spent sharpening and honing your tools though will save you time and stress in the end.

5. Set Up a Proper Woodshop

Having a clean and well organized space to work in makes all the difference in the world to how efficiently you can complete a project. Stock the area with basic shop accessories such as cabinets for storage and a sturdy woodworking bench with a vise.

Have common hand tools easily assessable like a claw hammer, layout square, utility knife, level, and other often used items. Start with the basic power tools such as a circular saw and jigsaw, drills, and a router.

6. Stay Organized

This goes hand in hand with the previous tip. Keep that woodshop organized. It is important to keep your tools in the best condition possible. Take care to clean and maintain them properly, and store both your hand and power tools in a safe place.

Always keep the workstation clean and in order. Although a work in progress can be left out, take a moment at the end of the day to use a shop vac and wipe off table tops. Cutting surfaces should be free from debris and ready to go for the next time.

7. Familiarize Yourself With the Plans

Thoroughly study your woodworking plans before you get started on any project, big or small. Your entire project can get derailed when one or two small details are overlooked.

If a step is unfamiliar, do the research ahead of time to prepare. If your plans require specific tools, be sure you have them on hand along with any needed attachments or bits. This makes completing the finishing details of your project so much easier.

8. Know Your Tools

Sure you’ve used a circular saw before, but you still need to be reading the owner’s manual each time you buy a new tool. Safety should always be your top priority, and that begins by knowing your tools and how they handle.

Study that manual and then practice the techniques described on scrap wood before tackling any job. Consistently practicing with your tools will only work to your advantage as you build your woodworking skills.

9. Know Your Woods

Knowing whether to use a hard or soft wood for each individual project can be the difference between a beautifully finished piece or complete frustration. Hardwoods are often used in flooring and decking, but they are seen in high quality furniture too.

Soft woods are your pines, cedar, and redwoods. They are easily shaped, and they are the most commonly used wood for wood-ware, home décor, and furniture pieces.

The type of wood you use can make a big difference in how the project comes together. You want something you’ll proudly display, not hide in the workshop.

10. Prepare for Each Project

Get into the habit of planning ahead for each project early on by preparing for it properly. Just as with familiarizing yourself with the plans to ensure you have the proper skills, you want the materials ready to go too.

This makes the execution of the job go smoothly. No one wants unexpected surprises that require materials we don’t have on hand.

If your project requires wood glue, screws, nails, or other small items, have those sitting out ready to use. Have enough wood to finish the work as well. The whole point is to keep your creative juices flowing once you start working.

11. Remember That Everyone Makes Mistakes

Even the most experienced woodworkers make mistakes, and you will too, especially at first. Acknowledge your mistakes, and move on. They are part of the learning process.

Most importantly, don’t be so eager to show everyone all the flaws on your finished project. Chances are no one will notice them, and the compliments they give you will build your self-confidence.

Follow the above advice to avoid problems and remember to enjoy yourself.
Author Bio:

James William is the founder of TableSawHQ.com, a blog offering buying advice to help people choose the right table saw for their needs.