Tips on woodworking

Tips on woodworking

Tired? Don’t woodwork, especially with power tools and never hurry to meet a deadline.

Good measuring tools are a must, particularly squares.

Double-check power tool settings before you turn them on.

Plan your steps; don’t do the woodworking equivalent of painting yourself into a corner — I have.

Measure twice and cut once — perhaps even three times.

Gather all the wood needed for your project first. Matching color and grain gives coherence to the finished item.

needed for your project first. Matching color and grain gives coherence to the finished item. Be patient, let wood acclimatize to your shop before using it.

Dry fit joints before gluing and have needed clamps ready before you apply any glue.

The physical size of a project has little relationship to the time needed to complete it.

There are almost always multiple ways to accomplish a task so you may not need a new tool. Unless it is a justification for your wife.

There are “out-takes” in TV woodworking shows in which projects are so easily done.

Woodworking is not about completing a perfect no-goof piece. Everyone makes mistakes; a craftsman fixes them.

Woodworking tip on Power distribution:

Have multiple 110VAC and, 220VAC sockets in GFI (ground fault isolated) outlets. If you add outlets install them in accordance with the local building code. Try to not use extension cords, especially on heavy equipment.

If an extension cord is needed, use a 12 gauge one. It can handle 2 to 3 times more current than 16 & 18 gauge lamp cord. High current through the thin wire heats the wire, drops the voltage, and could cause premature motor failure.

Woodworking tip on Lighting:

The bulb’s “K” number indicates the color of the light. The lower the number the more yellow the light. “Day-light” bulbs are anywhere from 4500K to 6000K.

For reasonably whitish light use at least 3500K bulbs. Lumens indicate the amount of light produced. Overhead lighting is appropriate for most operations, but when applying a finish low angled lighting is a better choice. It will highlight uneven surfaces and finish flaws so they can be treated early in the build process when they are easier to fix.

Most shops have fluorescent bulbs, however, there are now 4’ LED direct replacements bulbs that are worth considering.

Woodworking tip on Dust Control:

ALL wood dust is a health hazard and some are really bad! Most damaging are microscopic particles that float in the air for hours. They can lodge deeply in your lungs.

Air filtration units mounted near the ceiling help to remove this fine dust. Wear a dust mask and, at a minimum, have a shop vacuum. One step-up from a shop vacuum is adding a cyclone separator, it will dramatically reduce sawdust getting into the vacuum and cut down on filter cleaning.

If your budget can handle it, a complete dust system would be a great shop addition. Hanging clear 6-mil plastic sheeting can help keep sawdust off cars if your workshop is also your garage.

Dust masks help to prevent inhaling dust, but they are not adequate for all tasks. If you spray finishes you will need a respirator. 3M’s model 7500 that uses 3M 6001 cartridges is a good, inexpensive choice.

The organic vapor cartridges should be kept sealed when not in use to make them last longer and replaced every six months.

Woodworking tip on Comfort:

When involved in a project it is all too easy to ignore minor discomfort issues that will result in aches and pains later.

Rubber floor mats really help, especially if the floor is concrete. Harbor Freight sells interlocking ones.

Woodworking tip on Noise:

Wear ear protection when using power tools. It will save your hearing! A lot of us need hearing aids because we didn’t wear them — unfortunately including me. Normal conversation is about 60dB.

Noise at 80dB is 100 times louder, and a circular saw is about 90dB. Good earmuffs can reduce noise by up to 30dB. Wear them! Hearing loss is permanent!

To reduce my Shopvac noise it is mounted in an enclosure. A “Fine Woodworking” article in issue #195 (2007/2008) was used to make it. It works well.

Woodworking tip on First Aid and Safety:

Accidents happen and Murphy’s Law says they are more likely to happen if you are not prepared.

Band-Aids, Neosporin, hydrogen peroxide or alcohol should be in the shop and readily available. An ABC fire extinguisher is a good addition especially if you use oil finishes.

Rags used to apply oil finishes should be draped flat after use, not crumpled up. Crumpled oil finish could spontaneously combust.

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