Important Information To Know If You Want To Start Woodworking

By: John Garcia | Date Posted: December 15, 2021

Those who’ve been dealing with woodworking for many years will tell you that at the beginning, things may seem a bit intimidating and overwhelming. And that completely makes sense, since every beginning is a little bit scary.

Start Woodworking

Woodworking

You do not know what you’re getting yourself into, yet, you’re drawn to it. Speaking of woodworking, there are many types of it that you can do. On the other hand, there’s a vast selection of tools that can be found on the market that have become too pricey.

But all these things shouldn’t scare you. If you are ready to embark on this journey, then all you have to do is to gather all the necessary information that will streamline everything. And that’s precisely why this article is here, to give you some tips and tricks that can always come in handy.

Important Things Every Woodworker Beginner Should Know

Don’t Expect To Be Perfect Right Away!

Practically anybody can learn woodworking. You do not need to have any particular skills, or money, or to be a certain age. Now, even if you’re good at it, you still shouldn’t expect to be the best overnight.

There are so many things you have to learn along the way, and luckily, there are a plethora of websites that provide users with free tutorials and plans (or if they are not free are at least very affordable) that can help you every step of the way.

Possibly one of the best online places to go to is Chief’s Shop, established by Chris Hill who has been working with wood literally his entire life. Out there, you’ll be able to collect some very useful wood-related advice and info.

Another important thing that you should remember is that you’re not perfect, nor you will ever be. Nobody is, even when they claim to be. In time, you will of course get better at it, but get used to making mistakes and try to learn from them as much as possible. Bear in mind, it’s only wood. No one is going to die if you don’t do it perfectly!

Learn All About Woodworking Joints

Wood-related projects normally include joining two wooden working pieces together. Sometimes, adhesives or glue can be utilized, however, a majority of wooden workpieces are actually connected by using a joint.

What does it represent? Namely, it’s a natural connection where the ends of wooden workpieces meet. It was created to hold these workpieces together without employing glue or adhesive.

What else do you need to know about woodworking joints? It’s the fact that there are various types of woodworking joints, and below we will discuss them. They include:

  1. Butt Joint – It is one of the most used types of woodworking joints. It comes with two wooden workpieces that are embedded at a right angle.
  2. Dowel Joint – Frequently used in furniture. With it, the ends of wooden workpieces consist of one or even more hollow tubes.
  3. Box Joint – This is another relatively common woodworking joint that has an interesting interlocking design.
  4. Bridle Joint – This is a quite complex type of woodworking joint that is normally employed for sloped rafters and beams.
  5. Mortise-And-Tenon Joint – Another popular type of woodworking joint that can be found in windows, furniture, and cabinets.
  6. Lap Joint – This woodworking joint demands the installation of a wooden workpiece over another.

What Else Needs To Be Said?

What Else Needs To Be Said

Create A Functional Woodworking Setup

Does this mean it has to be something that’s too complicated? Definitely not! On the contrary. A simple setup is always welcome. It certainly doesn’t mean that you’re obligated to spend a fortune on fancy tools or a garage.

Keep in mind that there are a lot of people who have never had a garage in the first place, yet, they’ve managed to function normally. All you need is a nice and simple woodworking setup that consists of a good workshop table, along with a plywood board and a pair of sawhorses, and that’s about it for starters.

What About Terminology?

Those who are just getting started might get confused by numerous phrases that are being utilized in woodworking. But you shouldn’t be stressing over it because below, we will explain to you the most important ones.

  • Jointing – This represents a process of gluing the edges of wooden boards and then putting them on another board. It’s frequently employed for angled joints and flat surfaces.
  • Routing – This can be defined as the process of cutting, shaping, and trimming wood. Namely, this technique makes finished shapes and edges by utilizing a tool known as a router, which is often employed for cutting grooves in furniture and cabinets.
  • Planning – This is utilized to smooth and eliminate excess material from various wooden surfaces by utilizing a hand tool or planer machine.
  • Gluing – Gluing wood means that two or more pieces are joined together to make a bigger piece. If you manage to successfully glue these pieces together, then the glued joint becomes incredibly stronger, even stronger than the wood.
  • Sanding – This represents a finishing technique that smooths out the surface of the wood by employing sandpaper. Woodworkers frequently start doing this with medium grit.

Consider Going To The Woodworker Clubs

Woodworking Club

Even though you can always find a plethora of online places and sources (including this article) that will provide you with some useful information when it comes to this, it would still be great if you decided to visit a local woodworking club in your neighborhood.

If it’s possible, you can even become part of it. Why does this matter? Well, it’s because out there you’ll be able to get some tips and tricks you would never be able to find anywhere else. Generally speaking, it’s a great place for anybody who is just starting out.

Furthermore, these clubs are loaded with generous people who would be more than happy to give you some amazing advice, so make use of it.

As you can see, woodworking doesn’t really require too much money, time or effort to get started. Of course, just like everything else, it can be a bit daunting at first, but if you follow these tips you will quickly become an expert.

Thank you for reading!

John
 

John is the founder and chief editor of Homienjoy. With over 15 years of experience in the home improvement industry, John is passionate about helping homeowners confidently tackle their projects. Holding a civil engineering degree and working as a contractor, project manager, and consultant, John brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the Homienjoy community.

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