Archive for June, 2009

Merely because you love woodwork, it does not mean your workmanship is not a spare-time activity

A spare-time activity must be vested on. You would not have a difficult time doing so, as the affair is there in the first place. Hence, motivation and drive are apparently inherent as well.

Newcomers to woodworking often wonder what the necessary tools in starting up a workshop are. The solution varies from one woodworker to the next, because there's a tenacious list of required tools in the beginning. Plus, it depends upon the project.

For a good example, you travel to your nearest tool store to purchase a power tool. At present there's a diversity of manufacturers and naturally, prices differ as well. Like in any merchandise, the more expensive, and so the better the quality. Finer quality tools in woodwork have better design features and functions, in addition to a high tolerance in manufacturing, they in addition perform better.

Purchase the finest tool that you are able to afford. Start a budget on how much you're willing to spend on a specific tool. This is significant since you'll be using your tools on a frequent basis.

And if you're just starting out and you are able to only spend limited cash to establish your woodworking workshop, do not try for the absolute best then. You will be able to fall back on the ones that are relied on by most woodworkers that come in a reasonable price.

There are exclusions to the universal principle noted above. If woodworking is simply a spare-time activity you enjoy during the weekend, then you don't have to get the top-of-the-notch tools.

The key is acquiring a tool that's within your budget. But as often as possible, veer away from the cheapest tools and materials. They being cheap already tells something - these aren’t worth purchasing.

Here are the most common tools a woodworking newbie must have in his shop.

1. Electric Drill and Drill Bits - Electric drills are by far the first power tool purchased, they have so many uses besides drilling holes, there are attachments to turn them into paint mixers, sanders, screwdrivers, saws, grinders, lathes, the list goes on.

 

2. Electric Circular Saw - These can be very handy when cutting your wood pieces.  No need to break the bank on this, however.  Find one that’s easy for you to use and reliable.

3. Finishing Sander

These are used for sanding and finishing your projects. It can also be employed to smooth wood to clear out the edges.

4. Jig Saw - While not completely necessary, a good jig saw can help make your woodworking projects easier.  They can add some eye-catching detail to a piece and make cutting wood easier as well.

5. Table Saw

Comparable to the drill, this is an additional tool that you must own and invest in. Though there are a few cheap table saws simply they're not as powerful as the high-ticket ones. They do not work equally well as you desire too. Acquire a table saw with a strong motor, one that's powerful enough that it can be used time and time again. If not, the blade will drag during the course of you ripping wood. It may even burn a few of your precious designs and no woodworker would desire that. Again there are loads of plans for jigs for this work horse.

6. Router - Routers have become one of the most used tools in a workshop, possibly even more popular than a table saw. A well equipped shop will have both a plunge base and a fixed base router; it is now possible to get a combination kit where one machine has both bases.

7. Compound Miter Saw

These are portable and used to cut miters, long wood stock and moldings. A great deal easier to handle than the table saw. You will be able to find plans on the internet for a neat table for this tool.

8. Drill Press

This tool is a workhorse in the shop it can be use for drilling holes, sanding with a sanding drum attachment.

9. Biscuit Joiner

Nifty tool for joining pieces of wood together. The tool cuts pocket-sized slots in every side of the join. The biscuit is inserted and glued in between, binding the parts altogether.

10. Basic Hand Tools

Claw hammers are the most common types of hammers used for woodworking and general repairs around the home.

Screwdrivers are needed for almost every woodworking project.  Make sure you have various sizes of both Phillips head and flat head.

Wood chisels range in size from 1/4" to 2" wide in 1/8" graduations. They are available with wooden or plastic handles.

Tape measures come in a variety of widths and lengths. I would not recommend anything less than 3/4" wide for a tape over 6 feet long as they can not be extended out and remain rigid.

Clamps - Any project that is glued requires clamping to insure that the parts are bonded firmly in exactly the right position.

Finally, keep a wet / dry shop vacuum nearby so that you can quickly clean up wood shavings and dust. Keeping dust and wood particles to a minimum will reduce the risk of wood shop fires and help you breathe easier, too.

As a woodworking newcomer, you must have the best tools you are able to afford. However that also depends upon the projects that you plan on making. Prior to traveling to your closest home building provider to purchase your tools, think over what precisely you'll be constructing.



By: Eugene Colon Jr

About the Author:

Visit our site and share your woodworking ideas with our readers

http://http://woodworking.niche10.com

•Woodworking Hints and Tips Of the Month! October 2008

Woodworking Tip - Free woodworking plan for a Puppy Puzzle.



Woodworking Materials

Wood - 2cm x 18cm x 18cm Pine

Clear-tape

Sealer*primer*

Paint-enamel acrylic latex (color: black)

Paint pens

Sandpaper-fine

Spray-can-of-adhesive

Woodworking Tools

Scroll saw or coping saw

#9 saw blade

Power sander (optional)

Paint brushes-small-foam or bristle

Woodworking Instructions

   Use a power sander or hand sand the wood on both sides. Cover the wood on one side with the clear-tape to provide the saw blade with some lubrication as it cuts. Make a copy of the pattern.



    After making a copy, cut around the outside edge of the pattern leaving a 65mm to 1.25cm of paper around the pattern lines.

      Attach the pattern to the clear-tape with spray-adhesive.

      First, with the scroll saw, saw the outside lines of the pattern with the #9 saw blade. Next, use the scroll saw on the individual pieces by cutting on the inside lines. Remove the pattern and clear-tape.

      Sand the individual pieces with fine sandpaper to smooth any imperfections. After the wood is nice and smooth, apply the sealer primer. After the sealer primer is dry, apply two coats of enamel letting it dry between coats. Be careful not to get too much paint where the pieces join together.

Happy woodworking everyone!

Tip of the Month!

by Gordon Ward,

Woodturning lecturer at the Australian School of Fine Wood's Creative Workshops.

    Learn from the mistakes of others, rather that making them all by yourself.

Good one Gordon!

    If you have any incredible Woodworking Hints and Tips that we can put on this page that miraculously saves time and woodworking patience, please phone on 08 953 81395 or email them to 'Dana' at

web@forestheritagecentre.com.au.



By: Dana-Robin Berry

About the Author:

I currently work for the Forest Heritage Centre in Dwellingup Western Australia improving their web page weekly as well as tour guide and art/craft Lecturer.

If you are interested woodworking, then you will be interested in buying woodworking books, to further your knowledge and skills. Then all you need to do is simply log on to your computer and visit websites that can give you a list of woodworking books. Through these websites you can do your online shopping, check reviews, plus home delivery makes it so much more convenient to do this.

Woodworking books show you how to revamp your home using your woodworking skills. If you have any queries regarding your project then you can always refer back to your purchased book. Even professionals, use books as a standard reference.

You will get professional advice in these books, on a large variety of woodworking topics. They are written by professionals who have years of experience in the industry. So if you are a woodworker but you do not have the required knowledge about finishing your project, then you can refer to your book. Carpenters working on any wooden furniture will often find a problem at some point. And that is the time they take help from a joinery book.

Woodworking books will show you the techniques that are used to create a lasting and a beautiful wooden products. Your furniture will be durable if the joints are well made. These books will explain to you in detail, how you can create sturdy and long lasting joints. These books also pass along the secrets and tips of the experienced craftsman, that you will require to make perfect furniture.

They also provide you with up to date information on machinery that used when making your project. Cutting tools need be used correctly. An incorrect cut will damage and weaken any furniture you make. These books tell you the techniques of using any specialized tools that you will need. Woodworking books give professional advice about consistently creating identical furniture using templates.

If crafter's want to hone their skills for there various projects, then they will need the help of these woodworking books. Your project may range from making special bowls and boxes to toys and hat stands. Whatever your project, there will be a book available to you, that can really help you get the best results.

These books will also teach you how to use wood carving tools efficiently and in the correct manner. They will also tell you how to easily make the most fundamental wood carving cuts such as stabbing, running, sweeping and sliding using woodworking tools.

If you wish to develop the skills of molding and shaping a wooden products, then you should read a wood turning book. They can also provide you with the knowledge that enhance your existing skills and hone them to perfection.

So as you can now see, purchasing woodworking books is a absolute must, if you are to increase your knowledge skills to become the expert craftsman you desire to be.



By: Graham williams

About the Author:

“ This article was written by Graham Williams, an up and coming expert in woodworking. Did you find these Woodworking Tips useful? You can find out a lot more woodworking by going to my site Free Woodworking Tips. Where I share over 30 years of woodworking experience with you.”

Metal Hole

How do I drill a hole in my metal crawlspace door?

The problem: I have a metal(I think) crawl space door thats broken the heads of the nails used to secure it to the concrete off, thus leaving the door on the ground. I can't seem to get the broken nails out of the foundation so, my other option is to drill new holes into the door and the foundation. How do I do this?

1. Are crawlspace doors typically metal? (I have a crawlspace door and I'm assuming it's metal)
2. What kind of drillbit do I need to drill into it?
3. Does anyone have any other ideas?

Not sure if such doors are metal, but if it is rusty at all, it is steel. Most stuff put in around poured concrete foundations are steel -- which is sort of too bad. For drilling steel, you can use a regular drill bit made for metal. Not a brad point wood bit. You will want a drill that plugs in -- your battery model may not have enough muscle.

To drill into the concrete, use a masonry bit. These basically gnaw the hole into the concrete. Not difficult, I've done it plenty. Before drilling the holes, pick out your new hardware, which should include items that get pushed into the new concrete holes, and the screws go into those inserts. Made of either plastic or lead, usually. The size of what you pick out dictates the size of the hole you need to drill.

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Five Things to Consider When Choosing a Three Hole Punch

If your company uses a lot of three ring binders then chances are you need a high quality three hole punch. However, there are a lot of different 3-hole punches available on the market. Every punch has its own unique set of features and its strengths and weaknesses. This article is designed to help you understand the questions you need to ask and the features you need to consider when choosing a three hole punch. Here are five things…

1. The first thing you will need to decide when choosing a three hole punch is whether you want a manual punch or an electric one. Manual punches are usually less expensive and often are built with higher quality parts. However, electric punches are easier to use and usually faster than manual punches. Ultimately, your organization will need to decide which option best fits your needs and your budget.

2. The second thing you need to decide when choosing a three hole punch is the punching capacity that you require. Small manual desktop punches are designed to punch just a few sheets at a time. Other larger punches can punch large volumes of paper at once. Depending on how much punching you need to do, you will need to decide how many pages you will need to punch per lift.

3. When choosing a three-hole punch, it is also important to decide whether you will need adjustable punching heads. Some punches will allow you to produce a three hole pattern as well as a two hole pattern. If you are punching documents with two holes for filing you might need to look for this feature. Some punches also have the ability to move the placement of the holes for your punch. This can be a handy feature if you are planning on using non standard ring binders or need to use half letter size ring binders.

4. A fourth thing to consider when choosing a three-hole punch is construction. The best punches will be made of metal and will be heavy duty. Punches that are constructed out of plastic will often fall apart over time and will break. Look for a punch that is made of steel and that has heavy duty punching dies.

5. If your organization does a lot of punching it is important to look for punch that allows you to replace the dies if they become dull. Over time, punch heads will begin to lose their sharpness. If you can’t easily replace the heads you will end up needing to buy a new punch.

As you are looking at different options for 3-hole punches you should consider these five things. More than likely you will need to find a balance between these features and your budget. However, knowing what to look for will help you choose the punch that is best suited to your needs.

About the Author

Jeff McRitchie is the director of marketing for MyBinding.com. He writes extensively on topics related to Binding Machines, Binding Covers,Paper Handling Equipments, Binders, Index Tabs, Laminators, Laminating Supplies and more.

Metal Hole

If it’s the first time you use lathe, it’s important for you to learn about lathe woodworking instruction. Although woodworking lathe is not a new tool in woodworking project, some people easily get hurt when using this tool. Thus, being educated about lathe woodworking instruction is important to prevent you getting hurt.

Best Way – In Person

Going to a trusted friends, family member, or even a craft club that may have a woodworking lathe is the best way to study lathe woodworking instruction. Besides, there are some community colleges present woodworking classes that you should check. Being educated to use the lathe woodworking is important if you want to save yourself from any injury.

Don’t ever nag a local woodworker (even one you have hired) to give you lathe woodworking instruction. They have enough to do, and may not have insurance to cover any possible injuries you may get on their property.

Instructional DVDs

You can get how-to DVDs for just about anything these days, including lathe woodworking instruction. Truly costly professional-grade lathes will come with their own DVDs. This will give you a general idea of what to expect and how to safely operate the lathe. It is not as good as hands-on instruction, but at least it’s better than nothing.

If you have a VCR, you might be able to find woodworking videos as well as those that may center on woodworking lathes. Although videos are not really being made anymore, you may be able to come across them in your library, woodworking supply internet site or a hardware store.

The Instructions That Come With the Tool

Lathe woodworking instruction can be certainly useful in doing your project. You might want know the direction how to use and understand the buttons to activate the lathe. There should be lots of buttons that you need to know the functions of them.

If you got your lathe used and there are no instructions with it, you can always check the Internet to find if there is a copy somewhere. Check with the company's website. They sometimes keep archives of the instruction manuals for their equipment.

If you plan to buy the second hand lathe from a garage sale or a flea market, finding the previous owner is important for you. It’s aimed that the previous owner will show you how to work it. If they do not know the way, you may end up think that they actually never want to learn any lathe woodworking instruction and they get frustrated when use it.

Thus, does the above-mentioned information still not satisfy your need in knowing about lathe woodworking instruction? Explore more the suitable information herein!

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