There are a ton of hobbies and DIY projects that are fulfilling. One of the most popular is woodworking. Woodworking is similar to carpentry, but while carpentry is used for large-scale construction projects, woodworking—while certainly not simplistic—lends itself to DIY projects. It’s useful for making furniture, joinery, or even just carving small figurines. Regardless, a beginner in this field might find it hard to get their bearings. That’s what we’re here for. Check out our tips every beginning woodworker should live by below.
Get Your Workspace Set Up
You don’t need to have an entire engineering workshop like the professionals have, but you should at least have a designated space to work in. Your workspace can be anything from a large portable shed to a two-car garage; regardless, you’ll need a space that won’t be affected by dust, wood shavings, and debris. Who wants that all over the floor of their home? As previously mentioned, your garage is an excellent choice. Still, you can join a club specializing in woodworking and other wood-related engineering projects and use their building if you don’t want to deal with partitioning out extra real estate in your home.
Learn How To Read a Tape Measure
Okay, you’re probably thinking, “I already know how to read a tape measure, is this necessary?” The answer is yes. Woodworking helps you take exact measurements, even down to a quarter of an inch. A slight mistake in your measurements can negatively impact your entire project and ruin further measurements you may make in the future.
Know Your Wood
There are a ton of wood species out there, but they typically come in two categories: softwood and hardwood. Softwoods are comprised of cedar, pine, fir, spruce, and more. Some examples of hardwood are oak, walnut, birch, and maple. These examples are just the tip of the iceberg and learning about wood species is an essential tip for every aspiring woodworker to live by.
Get the Right Tools for the Job
Furthermore, you need the right tools for the job. For instance, you may need a hammer tacker for some of your projects or even a staple gun. Hammers, pliers, screwdrivers, and tape measures are essential for the job. Don’t miss out on getting them; otherwise, you’ll find yourself short and have to go to the store to get more supplies. These are the best tips we can offer you. If you follow these guidelines, you’ll be well on your way to completing a successful project.
