Whether you’re new to woodwork or have been making your own furniture for years, there’s always room for improvement and different woodworkers will have different words of wisdom to impart. Talking to others who share the same passion as you is always a good idea – you never know what you might learn! Here are four tips to help you with your woodworking endeavours.
Make your own sanding blocks
Knowing how to make your own reusable sanding blocks will be a godsend, saving you time and money. They couldn’t be easier to make either – all you need to do is use some scrap wood and spray some adhesive onto some cork tile and the block of wood. Stick the cork to the block, then cut it so it’s flush with the sides of the wood. Then stick some sandpaper onto the block and you’re ready to go.
Remember to label your sanding blocks. Saves for some unexpected results later on
Prepare for excess glue
Furniture making and woodwork uses a lot of glue and sometimes you’ll find it oozes out of the joints. Prevent this from happening altogether by putting some tape down over the joint and cutting down it with a sharp knife. Separate the two pieces, add your glue and then clamp together. Once the glue is dry, peel the tape off and the glue will go with it, without staining the wood.
Always be prepared for a glue up. Get someone to give you a hand or plan out each stage fully before you start
Setting up for success
Don’t run before you can walk when it comes to woodworking. If you start with a simple project, you’re more likely to finish it and finish it well. Set yourself a realistic challenge and build up from there.
Buy the right tools
You’ll need to have the right kind of tools if you want to get to grips with working with wood quickly. First decide what it is you want to build and then buy the tools you need for that particular project. High-quality tools may be more expensive but they’ll last you longer and are definitely a better investment.
For woodworking courses, see what we’ve got on offer here at Fine Furniture Maker.
