What does it take to make something out of wood? You have got your materials, your tools, your plans, what’s next? Here is some basic step-by-step process of woodworking if you don’t already know what you are doing.
Here is some basic step-by-step process of woodworking if you don’t already know what you are doing.
Planning
Planning involves brainstorming what you want to do, why you want to do it, the plans involved and where to get the materials. You should ask what project you want to do, how will you do this project, what are the particular materials and specific tools that you will need and is there a plan you can find somewhere on the internet or the library to help guide you in this woodworking project of yours.
This is the first step, and this is very crucial because this will determine the amount of time you will spend on the project and planning carefully eliminates surprises and will ensure that you will finish the project in time.
Gathering
The next step is to gather the materials and set up the workplace. This step involves going to the hardware store to get your materials and opening your tool shed to get the power and hand tools ;you will need for the project. In this step, you should also study the plan carefully and think about how you want to attack the project.
Before diving completely into the project, check what the things that have to be done first are. Check and double-check the measurements of wood that you have to get. Buy the print, varnish, and anything needed for the finished product already so you won’t have to go back to the store once you start the woodworking project.
Measuring and Cutting
Now that the workplace is set up, and you have everything you need, it’s time to go to the construction process. First up is the measurement of the wood. Go to your plan and look carefully at what needs to be measured and marked. You can add a quarter of an inch to your measurements, so there is a buffer to correct the size in case you did it wrong.
One tip when measuring is to use the same measuring tool all throughout the project making. After the markings are done, have your saws, cutting tools and blades ready, it’s time to do the cutting. Your tools should have been calibrated and sharpened during the gathering stage, so all you have to do now is the cutting itself.
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Fitting
The wood pieces are measured and cut; it’s time to assemble your projects. Before you go to gluing and nailing, it is best to do a dry fitting. This will make sure that your wood pieces will line up correctly and that everything is exact.
The glue will make some of the wood parts expand, so you need to have taken this into consideration when you were doing your measurements and cutting. If the parts are right, then the fitting is done, and you can go on to the next step.
Gluing and Nailing
Use clamps and tapes to hold on to the pieces of wood being glued together. Be careful when you use the clamps because many projects are derailed in this part because of improper use of the clamps. Make sure that the pieces are aligned properly before putting glue and do not use too much glue because those will be hard to remove and damage the aesthetics of your project.
Sometimes woodwork would not need nails because the glue is enough. But other times, you would need to get out the hammer and nail. If nailing is needed, then get on to it after the gluing.
Smoothing
The project is assembled, and you are almost done; now it is time to proceed to make your project beautiful. Start with making the wood smooth by sanding the surface. This takes a lot of time and patience especially if you are doing a large project but this is a step you cannot skip.
Once this is done, your woodwork will look a lot better and won’t accidentally wound other people when they touch your project because it will be as smooth as a baby’s bottom.
Staining and Finishing Touches
After sanding your woodwork, you can now apply the wood stain. Why need a wood stain when you are already working with wood? This will just enhance the natural color of your project and make it even more beautiful.
Test different products to know which works the best, though you should have done this in the planning or gathering stage already. Polish your woodwork and you’re done. Do another check of the plan and your finished product to make sure everything worked out well.
Display
Your project is already done, and you should be proud of it. It is now time to show it off or use it, depending on what you did. Your hard work has been paid off with the magnificent piece of wood art you have now in your possession.