Are you planning to learn woodworking skills?

It would help if you believed that you could excel in this new-found interest. There is no denial of the fact that practice makes a person perfect. However, it is always better to get in touch with an expert as many people give up during trial and error. Besides, there is a pervasive myth that one needs many tools to up the woodworking game. But, the reality is completely different. Learning woodworking skills is important. Read on to know how to garner the knowledge.

1. Learning by Watching

Nothing creates a bigger impact on beginners than a perfectly made tutorial video. You can even watch an informative TV show such as The New Yankee Workshop, The Router Workshop, Woodworks, or DIY. You can even watch Youtube channels like Woodworking for Mere Mortals, Frank Howarth, John Heisz, Garage Woodworks, and others to adapt the skills.

2. Ask a Friend For Help or Visit a Woodworking Store

If you have a friend who has a common interest in carpentry or is a professional in that field, reaches out to him. An expert must guide you as you learn the basics. In case you don’t have a friend from this field, you can visit a nearby woodworking store.

3. Choosing the Right Tools

An awful craftsman cannot hide his incompetency with expensive tools. However, it is important to be equipped with some handy tools to execute the work properly. Some tools widely used by carpenters are:

• Push Cramps – Carpenters prefer these as they are quick to apply and remove. Besides, these hold the workpieces together in the most secure way.
• Improvised Bench – A good improvised bench needs to be heavy and sturdy to provide the perfect platform for a different type of woodwork. It should also hold the workpieces together to avoid any mess in the middle of the work.
• Pencil – Pencils are always better tools for marking compared to pens. You can even erase the heavy pencil marks easily while the greasy pen marks are quite stubborn.
• Square – This is needed for checking the accuracy of right angles, which guide the drawing of lines on the materials before cutting. The correctness of 90-degree angles is further necessary for locating holes.
• Hardpoint Tenon Saw – Tenon saws can be used on hard and softwoods. These are essential for making tenons used in joints and mortise.

Some other hand tools required by a woodworker are a hammer, tape, utility knife, chisel, level, screwdrivers, sliding bevels, nail sets, and block plane. Talking about power tools, you can choose any of the following to improve your craftsmanship.

• Circular saw
• Jigsaw
• Table saw
• Compound miter saw
• Power drill
• Router
• Random orbital sander

4. Visit Forums to Start Your Project

Once you start a project, you may need some assistance in overcoming the hurdles. Various websites provide problem-specific solutions. There are some specific subject matters which are doing the rounds on the internet. Some of those are:

• I am new to woodworking
• Hand tools
• Home improvement
• Power tools
• Hardware
• Furniture
• Fastening and joinery
• Dust collection

5. Buy and Use a Plan

Internet is filled with reasonable and effective woodworking plans. Choose the basic or advanced plan you need to get started. Generally, these plans try to address the issue such as:

• Tools you need to have
• Where to get the additional hardware
• What kind of wood you should be using for a particular project

6. Shop From the Best

As you start, you need to be aware of the shops where you can procure the best woods and tools. You can visit the e-commerce biggies such as Amazon to find what you are looking for. You can even check out websites that specialize in customized woodworking equipment.

7. Start With Easy Projects

Do not be over-ambitious as you kick-start your venture. It is always better to start with simple projects. Make sure that you are properly equipped to take up any project. Choose the stuff that needs easy joinery and can be accomplished inside your small setup.

8. Choosing the Woods

Choosing the perfect wood for a particular project is quite a task. You can visit a supplier physically or visit an online store depending on your requirement of cedar, oak, or some engineered woods. You can also keep an eye on the classified section of your local newspaper to know about some estates or properties selling off woods or trees.

9. Get Enrolled in a Woodworking School

Anyone keen to take the basic knowledge one step further needs to get enrolled in a woodworking school. Even, there are many online learning centers these days. In most cases, the students do not need to make additional arrangements for tools and supplies. However, some schools include the finished project cost you will be doing in their overall remuneration.

10. Read Books and Blogs for Staying Updated

Books and blogs can be the best ways to learn woodworking if you are an avid reader. The books will impart intricate theoretical knowledge where the blogs will keep you updated with the latest trends and developments.

Woodworking Skills: Learning is Important for Novices and Experts

For the uninitiated, knowing the basic woodworking skills is very important. This rudimentary knowledge helps them have ideas about various woodworking tools. Besides, they get to learn about different types of woods. Even for experienced artisans, a constant upgrade in woodworking skills is crucial to be at the top of the game. Simply put, woodworking is all about learning and experimenting with the craft.