There are several ways to keep your DIY woodworking tools sharp. Most are kept sharp by using an abrasive whetstone to wear the metal to a narrow cutting edge. The better-quality natural stones are more expensive, but you can get satisfactory results from cheaper, synthetic stones. As part of the sharpening, whetstones are lubricated with water or oils to make sure the steel does not overheat and to prevent fine particles of metal and stone from clogging the abrasive surface. read more...
Woodworking Projects: Deciding What to Build
The first step of any woodworking projects involves planning. Simple projects may take just a bit of forethought before you’re ready to build, but more complicated furniture usually takes much more preparation. Either way, some degree of planning is essential. Project planning has three basic stages: determining what to build, working out the details through drawings and prototypes, then calculating materials and cutting lists from your drawings. read more...
Simple Woodworking Projects
The best way to really get into woodworking is to start off with simple woodworking projects. People most often get frustrated because the initial woodworking projects they select are too complex for their skill level. By trying a few initial simple woodworking projects you will be able to hone your skills without costing yourself a fortune. In addition, if woodworking is not for you, you will be able to figure that out very quickly without a large investment. read more...
Tips for Making Great Working Drawings for Your Woodworking Ideas
If you’re ready to start in on DIY woodworking, the working drawings are where the fun begins! You get your first look at the project-to-be and you can work out the bugs in the overall look of the piece without laboring over the details. Approach concept sketching by giving your hand ‘free rein’ to draw and redraw any inspirations that comes to mind. This is not the time to worry about perfect symmetry, properly scaled portions, crisp lines or exacting curves. You can take care of all that later when you produce the mechanical drawings. Do not, however, go on from sketching to drafting until you have something you really like. It’s too time-consuming to make major design changes to woodworking projects at the drafting stage. read more...
Find the Best Woodworking Hand Tools
There are many woodworkers who believe that using hand tools and only hand tools is the way to make anything. From furniture to birdhouses, only hand tools will do for them. Others will use a combination of hand tools and portable power tools and perhaps sedentary equipment like a table saw or other large machinery which helps move the process along faster. read more...