Woodworking Tools You Absolutely Need For Your Crafts Projects

When you're about to enter the woodworking arena, you might be surprised about the multitude of tools that you can find. Of course, if your budget is unlimited, you can buy them all and you're set for life. However most of us still live on a monthly paycheck, so the budget should be carefully planned. So which woodworking tools should you get to make the best use of your starting out in this wonderful craft and hobby type?

Budget is not the only issue here. Everybody is different and different woodworking projects might need a different set of tools. However, there are some basic tools that most people will usually have at home when interested in woodworking. These tools are used most of the times for most of the projects.

So if you want to start out in woodworking, you need to have most of these tools: hammers and mallets, chisels, measuring tape, sand paper of different grids, drill, nails, wood glue, various clamps, wood square and last but not least, wood pencils.

There might be more than these, however there are the minimum that you should have at home. You don't need to buy them all right now, however in due course you should strive to invest in them with each new project that you start, so that eventually you have a well rounded set of universal woodworking tools that can help you in 90% of your tasks.

When you are looking to buy tools, avoid buying anything else but these at least initially (unless a particular project needs something specific), as you want to avoid frustration due to too many tools and too much clutter. What you need to do is start one project, get the plan done, see exactly which tools that project needs and buy only those.

When it comes to the issue of quantity of tools vs. their quality, I always say that quality should rule. I'd rather buy a mallet that costs $50 and know that it will last for the next 10 years or more, vs one that costs only $20, and will last me only one or two years before it breaks.

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Woodworking Projects - 10 Tips for Success

The top 10 rules of woodworking projects are listed below in this article. Read this and remember it and you will save yourself a lot of hassle in the long run.

Don't Be Cheap

I know we all have limited budgets and we don't want to over pay for equipment and materials. Usually however it is worth it to get high quality hand tools and woodworking equipment. Buying low end products usually will end up in disappointment and may cost you more in the long run when you have to continually repurchase those cheap tools over and over.

Take Your Time

Working quickly and rushing usually ends up taking you more time in the long run. We have limited time and sometimes want to rush but take your time. You will only create more mistakes, bad cuts and more trips back and forth to the hardware store. Even worse rushing could lead to serious injuries.

Keep It Sharp

Dull tools don't work well. Learning how to sharpen your equipment it a great skill as sharper tools mean better results

Practice Makes Perfect

Woodworking is a skill, or rather a collection of several skills, that are learned and improved upon over time. I know you've heard it a million times but in wood working it really it true that you should practice, practice, practice. When trying something for the first time grab some scrap pieces and try it out on those before trying it with the perfect piece of wood you have set aside for your woodworking project.

"Finishing" What You Started

If you are like me you get your joy from building the project and are not all that fond of finishing. However the best constructed piece of woodworking will look like junk without a proper finish. This includes taking time to do the sanding and clean up required before staining and finishing your project.

Don't Glue It Until You Checked It

Don't rush and start applying glue to your woodworking projects until you do a "dry-fit". This will help you decide what parts to put together first, where you should put clamps and which clamps to use all with out trying to rush through before the glue starts drying up.

Glue Can't Correct a Bad Fit

If you have a sloppy made joint don't think you can use some glue to make it look better by filling in the gaps. Don't let being lazy cause you more problems in the long run.

There is No Swiss Army Knife

The fact is woodworking requires many different tools, some of which do similar types of jobs. Using the right tool for the right job will save you time and effort. You may have several different types of saws but don't one that is not designed for the job you are doing.

Use Your Hands and Your Tools

No woodworking job can be completed using only your bare hands and no project can be completed using only tools. To be an effective woodworker you need to know how to use not just your hand tools, but also your hands.

Keep It Clean

If you can get into the habit of cleaning up as you go your workshop will not get messy. This avoids you having to stop and do a general cleaning because every work area in your shop is covered with something. Getting a new tool out? Is there one you can put away at the same time?

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Traditional Woodwork Projects

Woodwork projects should not be taxing and boring, taking up most of your time only to be discarded after a short while. Even the traditional and common woodwork assignments can be transformed slightly to make them slightly more challenging, creative, usable and interesting. There are times that we consider projects which we begin but do not finish because the designs are either too complex to understand or too simple to be interesting. The challenge in picking a project based on woodwork is to keep it interesting while ensuring that it does not consume all your time, and can be easily used. Here are some few tips on how you can transform traditional projects to include your creativity and provide a challenge:

Tables: almost every person who has been in the workshop at one time has embarked on a project to design and build a table. Whereas, tables are easy to build often the projects are discarded because they are not only boring but also not very challenging. So the next time you want to build a table, design and purchase plans for a portable table. A portable table is easily foldable and can be used when you need to entertain outside or for storing items for a short period of time. A portable table saves on space since you can easily take it apart or fold it, if you need to move it to a new location or just store it. A portable table provides the challenge lacking in the normal table.

Chairs: this is another common woodwork project that provides less challenge and is often discarded in favor of much more challenging projects. Chairs are easy to make, but you can also incorporate a bit of creativity by making rocking chairs instead of study ones which are more common. The challenge in making rocking chairs comes when you need to bend the wood precisely. A rocking chair requires precise jointing and measurements to ensure that the strength of the chair is not compromised in favor of the rocking ability.

DVD cases: instead of just producing a wooden piece of case, you can take the time to treat the wood, and carve designs into the edges. This ways the DVD case becomes more aesthetic and adds an ethnic touch to your room. To make the project more challenging you can also add a small lantern above the DVD case to light your DVD's and CD's in the dark. If this design proves complex for you, adding a carved door is enough to make this project slightly different and more fascinating.

To make a woodwork project interesting you do not have to go after complex designs allowing your creativity free flow in the projects makes the project interesting and challenging for you. It also ensures that you produce something you are proud to display and use around your home. Woodwork projects need not be complex and time-consuming in order to be interesting. Creating something you love and find useful is enough.

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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jonathan_C._Haley

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Woodworking Projects - Removing Mildew From Your Lumber

Just like everything in life sometimes your woodworking projects can get put off and delayed. Nothing is worse that when you finally get around to starting and you find mildew stains on your lumber. Even easy woodworking projects can become a nightmare. I'm going to give you some advice on how to best avoid stains on your project lumber and how to best remove the stain.

How you store the wood is obviously the biggest factor in whether or not you end up with mold and mildew on your wood surfaces. Storing lumber for your woodworking projects indoors is your best bet whenever possible. If you must store it outside cover the wood with a blanket or old sheet that will allow air movement and won't trap the moisture. Then loosely cover that with a plastic tarp or cover. Do not make this plastic outer cover tight you want it to be loose, not tight. The plastic should keep rain from getting to the blankets covering the wood.

If you do end up with mildew on the lumber you plan to use for your woodworking projects removing it does not have to be a difficult job and can be accomplished with items you probably already have in your home. Start with a solution of 1 part dish washing liquid to 10 parts of regular household bleach and 30 parts of warm water. You will want to work in a well ventilated area and wear rubber gloves while working with the solution you have just created. Use the solution along with a soft bristle blue to scrub away the mildew on the wood surface. You should scrub gently. Then rinse the cleaned area with clean water and towel dry it. Once the wood has dried thoroughly you can sand off and grain that is raised. I hope this article was useful and you can put this into use when pulling out older lumber to use in your woodworking projects.

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Article Submitted On: September 11, 2010

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You Can Begin Doing Woodworking Projects Right Now

You will find there are endless woodworking projects that you can make at your own pace and in your own time if you look for them. Many are looking for ways in which to have great looking furniture without spending an excessive amount of money. Creating your own furniture is a great way to do this, and to save a lot of money on every project you create.

Depending on your skill level, you will find a number of woodworking projects that you can try. For those with experience, if you want, you can create much more challenging projects. Those who are new will find that they need to start out small the first few projects. In order to get started, you will need to think about the skill level intended for your project and then ensure that you do not take on projects that are too challenging.

Making sure that you complete your projects in such a way that you finish them in a step by step fashion will help you to save time - like making sure you have all the materials and tools first. You will need to order a few extra boards just for good measure, since even the best woodworker makes errors. Try to have a guide or plan of some sort that you can look at for reference as you build. You will want to go over all your tools to be sure you have the tools you need before you begin.

To begin you may want to try your hand at the birdhouse woodworking projects first. That way you can begin to develop the necessary skills to tackle more difficult projects along the way. When you start out small like this, you are testing the waters to see if you like the hobby, but also getting a sense of the tools and skills needed to succeed.

Do not get involved in woodworking projects without giving thought to your safety as well. Try to keep your eyes well protected and that you are shielding yourself properly from stray wood fragments and sawdust as you cut. Be aware of pinch points and other hazards as you work with wood. Having a first aid kit would be a great idea just in case.

When you begin your first woodworking projects you are still going to be determining if this hobby is one that you want to continue in your spare moments. Of course you will likely be pleased with every project you complete, and will continue to grow in skill every time you do finish a project.

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