People have been working with wood for millennia, using it to build houses, furniture, and things that make our lives easier. Today, it may not be as widely used, but still an important part of construction and design. However, more people than ever are choosing to pick up tools and pursue woodworking as a hobby. It’s fun, creative and can result in amazing pieces of furniture and art you can proudly display in your home.
While woodworking is a great hobby to get into, many beginners find it quite daunting. The truth is that it’s incredibly broad, with lots of techniques, terms and concepts to learn. It will also take you a while before you’re good enough to finish a quality project, but that’s ok. It’s a learning experience, and like anything, it takes practice to get good. Here are some tips for exploring your new hobby and improving over time.
The Right Tools
Any good woodworker needs the right set of tools before they can begin. You don’t need to go crazy and buy everything in the hardware store, but you should at least have a good set of tools that are designed for working with wood. This means a hand drill, a panel hand saw, measuring tape, wood chisels and a claw hammer. For fastening, you’ll also need a screwdriver and screws for wood. It’s important to always use tools that are designed to be used in wooden materials.
With the above tools, you can accomplish a lot, so you don’t have to break your budget and spend lots before you’ve even started your hobby. As you progress, you may feel the need to purchase better tools that will allow you to work faster and more efficiently. The key is to look for quality and to make sure that each tool has a purpose in your hobby.
A Working Space
Many woodworkers and carpenters have their own workshop, where they can set up all their tools and work in relative comfort. However, not everyone has this amount of space. If you don’t have your own shed or garage you can use, don’t worry. Plenty of people get into woodworking despite not having much space. As long as you have a flat surface you can work on, you’re in business.
It’s important to note that woodworking is a messy hobby. You’ll be creating a lot of dust and wood shavings, so make sure you use a space that’s relatively easy to clean. Keep your vacuum cleaner and duster handy. If you don’t have a good surface to work on, building a solid workstation and bench is a great starter project to work on.
Learning the Basics
As in any hobby, you need to make sure you have the fundamental skills and techniques before you start tackling big projects. While it might seem more fun to jump in the deep end and take on more challenging projects, start small and easy to learn the basics first. You can find plenty of guides and resources online, including video tutorials for lots of beginner projects.
If you prefer, there are also lots of places that offer woodworking workshops and classes. These teach skills ranging from beginner all the way to expert. A course is a great way to learn more about the hobby and receive direct instruction from someone who really knows what they’re talking about. You can learn a lot online, but often there’s little substitute for practical lessons.
Safety
Safety is an important factor to consider when you’re enjoying your hobby. Working with tools can be dangerous if you don’t take proper precautions. Make sure you have safety equipment like glasses and that you understand the risks before you start work. Carry out a risk assessment before every project to develop good safety habits.