In recent times it seems as though common skills are not so common anymore like statistical learning, sending a letter in the mail, survival skills, and more. Living in the 21st century has allowed us to live in plug into a life of luxury, and while that is pleasant, it is beneficial to learn how to be self-sustaining. Learning how to fix small problems in your house and car is important and often talked about so today I will be taking you on a journey to learn about one of the more unessential essentials-woodworking.
Why is knowing how to woodwork important?
A main benefit to learning about the art and use of woodworking is that it saves you big bills. We all know that brand named items can be expensive when most isn't because of the quality but the brand. There will be no need to shop at IKEA or Crate & Barrel when you can make your own furniture that can be just as nice once you have enough practice. Woodworking can also help lower blood pressure levels and reduce the risk of osteoporosis and fractures. This also keeps your mind sharp by requiring you to concentrate on one task and may improve your hand-eye coordination.
Safety Wear and Precautions
While woodworking you will be working with some tools that may cause injury if not used correctly. Here are some guidelines to follow.
1.) Always wear safety equipment
Wearing safety goggles and hearing protection, when working with loud equipment, is a must. Cut resistant gloves are also very important in all aspects of woodworking and other trades. Latex gloves can also be necessary when applying finishes.
2.) Wear appropriate clothing
Avoid loose-fitting clothes as they can possibly get entangled in machinery. Wear comfortable clothes but also some that can protect you from flying wood chips. Also remember to remove dangling jewelry.
3.) Use sharp blades and bits
Although it may sound contradictory to use sharp blades to not cause injury it is, in fact, very important. Like knifes, using dull blades will make you work harder which can cause kick back. You will also get cleaner cuts and better results when using sharper cutting tools.
4.) Disconnect power before blade changes
Always ALWAYS disconnect the electricity to a power tool when you are changing a blade or a bit before the beginning of the change. Always assume a tool or piece of machinery is on and take the precautions to check if it is connected to power or turned on before laying your hand in an unfortunate place.
5.) Check for nails, screws, or other metals
Some stock may come with some nails or screws inside and those and spinning saw blades are a terrible mix. This can cause the stock to kick back and cause injury. Inspect the stock and possibly use a metal detector before cutting anything.
6.) Always work against the cutter
Power tools are made to go through material. The design is made to have the wood move in the opposite direction of the tool. As commonly stated, the cutter should cut into the stock, not with it.
Selecting Woods
Poplar
Poplar is very popular for its structural dependence. It is durable and relatively inexpensive making it ideal for drawers, tables, and other projects. This type of wood, however, isn't very aesthetic and painting would be a more advisable than staining it. For these reasons it is often used for industrial purposes.
Oak
While oak is very sought after for its appearance it can be difficult to work with for a beginner. It is often used for homewares, flooring, and wine barrels.
Maple
Another fan favorite is the beautiful maple wood. Like poplar, maple is very durable. It also has a distinct look after it is finished properly. The downside is that is can be quite difficult to work with so it may be a type of lumber to experiment with once you are more experienced. Maple is popularly used to craft high-end furniture, flooring, cabinetry, and kitchen accessories.
Things to remember about wood
- Heat and moisture impact wood. As the air becomes dryer and colder wood shrinks, during the hotter and humid months wood can expand and cause cracking or splitting.
- Wood isn't uniform and can warp, twist, and change shape
- A vertical grain board will move half as much as a flat-grain board
- Let tabletops float and use tabletop fasteners to hold down the top that still allows it to expand and contract
- Let woods acclimate for 24 hours before building to let it warp
Tools to Use
SAWS
- Circular Saw
- Jigsaw
- Table Saw
- Handsaw
ASSEMBLY TOOLS
MEASURING TOOLS
Possible Projects
If you are just generally interested in this activity here is a list of beginner projects:
- Benches
- Cutting Boards
- Magazine Storage Containers
- Coat and Hat Racks
- Spice Racks
- Shelves
- Step Stools
- And more!
Good luck and be safe on your wood crafting journey!
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