4 Things Every Beginning Woodworker Should Know

 This is a sponsored post on behalf of SawTrax Manufacturing.

Have you ever thought were your furniture comes from? The gorgeous chairs you sit on at dinner. The bench your father put in the backyard for you to sit and enjoy some peace and quiet. What about those pews that you sit on during church service? They were all made by a craft wood carver. Perhaps you’ve thought about learning a few basic things on woodworking and what it might entail. The first thing you want to know is that woodworking is an accessible job for those of any age, skill level and budget. Don’t expect to be carving amazing pieces overnight though. It takes a lot of time, patience and plans to become a skilled woodworker but there are a few basics that you can learn to start.

1.    How to Drill A Hole - This may seem silly to some but at some point in any Do It Yourself project, you may need to drill a few holes. The easiest way to accomplish this task if by using a cordless drill. These drills are effective for that very reason, they don’t have a cord attached to them. They can go anywhere, last a long time and they don’t break your bank either! They are also extremely functional and can help you tighten screws fast to drilling large holes in various materials. Although this may seem like a pretty mindane task, that’s just it- it’s pretty simple to do! A few tips to help you drill holes better and get more use from your drill is keep practicing. You want to make sure to watch that you are drilling the proper hole and the right depth each time.

2.    Cutting Materials - There are a lot of different ways you can cut, including using various saws to help you. There are saws such as hand saws, jigsaw, circular, table and bad. A hand saw is a great tool if you are needing to make some quick cuts that don’t necessarily have to be perfectly straight. It may take a bit of muscle as they aren’t exactly non-powered, however they are perfect for a quick job! Sometimes the hand saws may not be the best option because you may need a different saw for your specific type of material that you want to cut into. There are also saws that are Jigsaws that have a reciprocating blade and a great do- it all which can use them quite often on project you’re working on. Where can you find all these different types of saws? Saw Trax Manufacturing, Inc offers some of the best saws in their field including a machine that can cut almost all sheet goods with just one proper cutting insert. In addition to some standard circular saws that their panel saws have but they offer a have a unique carriage which allows the use of different cutting tools. Not many business offer something as unique as this.

3.    Painting - If your project is already built and reader to have a professional, finished look, then paint can really do wonders for you. There are two types of paint commonly used and choosing one will depend on the material and type of use your project will see. When it comes to selecting the type of paint, you’ll want to choose various levels of sheen. Latex paint is a water based paint which is used for general applications. This paint is really great to clean up with just soap and water plus it’s easy to apply. On the other hand, oil based paint really adheres better to surfaces if you are painting over previous coats of oil based paint. The only con is the oil based pain is difficult to cleanup because it’s thinner.

4.    Practice makes Perfect- This motto is so true when first working in woodwork. Woodworkers who want to become great at learning and working with various saws will need to take this. Practice your woodwork but do it as perfectly as you can. You’ll mess up a lot and have to throw up a lot of pieces but you’ll learn the way of the tools you use and the way you move your wood around the blades.

Now that you know a few beginning tips and tricks, it’s time to go out and make your dreams and projects come true! Remember, take your time, know that nothing will happen overnight and be patient with everything you do. As always, make sure to take proper safety precautions as well like goggles, safety tools and where you’ll be setting up your woodshop.