The world of woodworking ranges from creating benches to bridges and everything in between. That means there is a huge cache of knowledge out there just waiting for you to tap into it. Take your time and read this article in full to learn some new tips and tricks.

Ask local hardware stores if they sponsor woodworking classes. You may be surprised by what you find! In fact, your local Home Depot or Lowes might have classes available monthly that’ll help you hone your skills. This is a quick way to grow as a woodworker with very little out of pocket costs.

A handy tool for every woodworking shop is a stair gauge. They are typically used for laying out stair jacks, but they can also be used as a clamp for a carpenter’s square. You can then use your square as a guide for a circular saw. Every cut you make will be straight when you use the square to guide you.

Your grip can use some extra spring. There are a few times you need a spring clamp, when you can only use one hand. It can be difficult to open one with just one hand. There is a method for making things a bit simpler. Before you start to glue, put your clamps on some scrap wood while you have two free hands. This allows you to use one hand because it will put them close to their maximum capacity.

Working with a table saw can be quite dangerous for people that have long hair. If you are one of these people, it would be a good idea for you to tie your hair up while you work. You don’t want any of your hair to get caught in the blades.

Use a socket when drawing an arc. Most shop owners have a variety of sockets that can be used for a variety of radii. For example, if you are wanting a radius of 10 millimeters, reach into your toolbox and grab a metric socket that size. You will get a perfect arc each time using this technique.

If you have any pockets on the shirt you are wearing, remove everything from them before you start working with a table saw. It is very common for objects like pens and rulers to fall from your pocket and get caught in the blade, which can lead to some pretty serious injuries.

If you mark your intended cuts with pencil lines, try not to actually cut them! You might be lined up at first, but it is possible to get a little off later in the cut, resulting in pieces that fit less that perfectly. It’s better to cut the edge of the pencil line and then sand the rest of the marking off.

If you do woodworking at home, create a well-lit, organized area in your home or garage to serve as your workshop or hobby area. Keeping your tools and supplies in one place and well-organized keeps you safer, more productive and enjoying the time spent working on your projects. This is important whether you have a large or small workshop, so set up the space with both lighting and organization at the top of your workshop to-do list.

The most important part of any woodworking project is safety. There are many sharp tools that need to be used and you should be very careful when using them. Find out the proper way to use these tools. If they are power tools, read the manual. If they are hand tools, have a professional show you how to use them properly.

Try to keep your work area clean as much as possible. There is going to be a lot of wood dust on the floor. Pieces of wood debris may be strewn about. When you keep your work area clean, you reduce the occurrence of injuries. Always keep a broom, dustpan and a large trash can on hand.

If you use an orbital sander to smooth the surface of your project before finishing, move the sander very slowly. The recommended speed is one inch per second which is slower than most people sand. Going too fast can cause a small spiral pattern that does not show up until the finish is applied.

Make your own reusable sanding block. A sanding block makes sanding much easier on your hands and gives you control, however you don’t need to buy an expensive holder for your sandpaper. Scrap plywood can be turned into a fine holder. Cut out scraps of wood for the sandpaper, then spray it with the adhesive and apply the sandpaper.

Whatever you do when it comes to woodworking, it is important that you take the time necessary to learn as much as you can. Read articles written by experts, like this one, and learn from your peers. The more you know, the better your projects will end up once done.

Woodworking And How It Can Make Your Life Better was originally published on Spring