5 Things to Remember For a Successful Woodworking Project

DIY woodwork is all the rage right now on Pinterest. Items that are made from wood are very appealing and believe it or not, making furniture is actually easier than what we are made to believe. As long as you are willing to get your hands a little dirty, you can make your furniture on your own and save the money you would have spent on hiring a carpenter. However, most people feel discouraged when their woodworking projects fail to meet their expectations. In fact, anyone can undertake a woodwork project and complete it successfully as long as they know a few things about the material and have the most basic tools. Here is a list of things to remember when getting started in your woodworking project.

1. Check Wood Moisture Level

In case you didn’t know, every piece of timber has a certain percentage of moisture content. While the moisture helps in keeping the tree alive while it’s growing in the forest, it’s usually not needed after the tree has been cut down. If you use wood that has a high percentage of moisture, the design of the item will be naturally damaged in the near future due to warping. This is due to the fact that the moisture will evaporate when temperature rises, especially during summer. At the end of it all, you will have pieces of wood that are shorter than their initial length. You can avoid such a setback by using a digital or analogue moisture meter to check whether your timber is fairly dry. You can view more details on woodworknation.com and make an informed decision when shopping for the device.

2. Get the Right Tools

Having the right tools plays a big role in determining the quality of workmanship. If you don’t have the right tools, you will certainly fail in the project because you will be forced to use the wrong tools. Besides that, having the right arsenal of tools helps in ensuring that you are more efficient. For instance, if you have an electric saw or sander, you will obviously finish your job much faster than when using manual tools. In fact, using a traditional saw or hummer can really break your back. Some of the most common tools include measuring tape, various types of saws, screwdriver, clamp, drill and nail gun among others. If you are handling a one-time project, you can opt to hire the tools instead of buying them because it’s much affordable.

3. Categories of Wood

There are different species of wood. Each species has its unique attributes. However, there are only two categories of wood; softwood and hardwood. Hardwood is recommended for most projects because it’s more durable than softwood. This type of wood can also support heavy stuff due to its sturdy build. However, buying hardwood can give you a run for your money. You should therefore consider using softwood material if your budget is low.

4. Only Use Straight Wood

You can’t use bent wood and expect your project to have an elegant outlook. This is because wood is not as flexible as steel. You must therefore stick to stick to straight lines when designing wooden structures. In fact, using wood that’s not straight amounts to a lot of inaccuracies. If the wood has already warped due to exposure to extreme heat or looks bumpy due to water logging, you will not be able to get the design that you want because the size of the wood will eventually change.

5. Finishing Matters

A woodwork project that doesn’t have any finish looks horrible. It actually looks incomplete. Fortunately, there are various finishing options that are easily available in the market. For a start, you can use veneer. Painting and waxing are more preferred because they are easy to customize. The advantage of applying finish is that it helps in boosting the appeal of the item and extends it’s durability. For instance, a coffee table that has either veneer or has been painted can last for many years than one that’s left bare. This is because the finish protects the wood from being damaged by stains and heat.