Woodworking Tips

Filling Tips for Finishing Projects

admin — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 15:30:08 +0000

One thing you’ll be doing quite a bit of as a woodworker is filling in nail holes. Nails have to be set so they cannot be seen in the finished project, as that would spoil the visual appeal. The heads could go rusty and then you would have a spotty appearance. You cannot just paint over them either, because paint will eventually flake off the metal heads and they will be easily seen.

If you are going to paint your project, then filling the nail holes presents no problem. Instructions on the paint can will probably tell you what putty to use and when and how to apply it. Don’t forget to sand the finish smooth or you’ll have a line of rough spots that are still visible under the paint.

If you are staining your project, filling the nail holes is a little more complicated. You need to fill them with something that is a close match to the stain you will be using, or you will still have that spotty look. Many wood fillers are colored to match various woods, but the trouble is wood colors vary considerably, even within the same type of lumber.

Another problem occurs because wood fillers don’t absorb stain in the same way wood does, so this causes discoloration. Sanding the filler afterwards often forces minute particles of the filler material into the surrounding wood grain and this will cause an obvious color difference. So what is to be done? You’ve spent lots of time on that project and don’t want to see the finish ruined.

One thing you can do to minimize the effects of the filler is to use a pre- stain conditioner. This will prevent the filler affecting the surrounding areas of the lumber, especially if your lumber is soft wood like pine, birch, maple or fir. After using a pre-stain conditioner, there is a time limit for applying the stain. About two hours is normal for most pre-stain conditioners. But what happens if you exceed the limit? Don’t worry; just apply another coat of conditioner, then add the stain within the time limit. When you are sanding the filler, be careful that you don’t sand the surrounding, conditioned lumber.

You can also purchase filler that is powdered. You then mix it with a small amount of the stain that you intend to use. This will give a close color match and can be done either before or after you stain the project. If you do it afterwards, you need to take great care not to damage the surrounding areas when sanding it.

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Essential Portable Power Tools for Woodworkers

admin — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 16:10:03 +0000

Every woodworker must have a selection of power tools to help him achieve perfection in his woodworking task. Even if perfection is not reached, the task will be made a great deal easier and more successful with the correct power tool. It may even be the difference between success and failure.

Which type of power tool you get will depend on the kind of woodworking you intend to do. If you intend to hone your skills and make working with wood a career, you’ll need to invest in the more expensive tradesman’s tools. But if you just like to potter around in the shed on your days off, then the handyman’s portable power tools may suit. If in doubt, choose one with slightly more power than you think you’ll need.

A cordless drill will be one such basic power tool that you will find a myriad of uses for. Consumer reports state that the 14.4-volt class is one of the better buys. A torque rating of 250 inch-pounds is required for most household projects.

A circular saw is essential for cutting your lumber, but choose a corded one for greater reliability. The 7 1/4 inch model seems to be the favorite for workshops. A rip guide and a laser cutting guide will add to the price, but save you a lot of frustration and time. If you are likely to need curved cuts in plywood - or anything else for that matter - a jigsaw is for you. The narrow reciprocating blade is ideal for the curved cuts impossible with a circular saw. Get one with an orbital cutting action and a scrolling feature for increased versatility.

A reciprocating saw or saws-all will be handy, though perhaps not strictly essential, as you can cut almost anything from 2×6 beams to copper pipe, with it. Available in both corded and cordless models, the lighter ones are the easiest to maneuver. Sanders of various kinds will come in handy too and save you a lot of effort.

All this woodworking is going to make your shed very dirty, so you’ll need a wet-dry vacuum to clean it up. Prices are extremely reasonable and most models are designed for both the pro and the home.

One way to keep to a budget with power tool purchases is to buy a cordless combo unit. You can get up to seven different tools for the price of one, depending on what you choose, but make sure you get those that will all fit on the one battery. Ryobi’s One Plus System offers one battery for lots of different tools.