1) Take your time when you plan your project. Don’t rush, avoid frustration, and keep yourself safe by remembering not to rush. Give yourself a practice run without tools before you begin to cut. Imagine what it will look and feel like before you start so that you’re prepared for what is about to happen.

2) Keep things clean. Sawdust and clutter can disguise accidents waiting to happen. Keep your work area clear so that you don’t accidentally run into something that you didn’t plan on. Giving yourself plenty of space to move around will keep you from getting cramped into a space that is too small to safely work in.

3) Never force a piece of wood through a saw or a drill bit through a piece of wood. Running into nails or other impasses is dangerous and can cause serious injury. If something is bogging down your saw blade or if your equipment is malfunctioning, you will need to stop and clear any impacted debris before you move on.

4) Study the safety and operating manuals for your equipment before you begin. If you haven’t used a tool in a while, review the safety guidelines for that particular instrument before you attempt to use it.

5) Perform regular tune-ups and maintenance on your equipment to ensure that it is ready for use. Use only sharp blades and bits when you work.

6) Store your equipment according to the manufacturer’s directions. Keep equipment covered or put away when not in use so that it doesn’t collect dust and debris. Make sure that parts have stopped moving or spinning before placing them down on a surface. Also check to make sure equipment has cooled down before storing it.

7) Make sure that you wear appropriate clothing that is not loose when woodworking. Hair should be secured. Protect your ears, eyes, lungs and hands when operating any type of machinery. Properly ventilate your work area to minimize fumes and dust.

Do not work if you have consumed any alcohol or other substance that could impair your judgment. Keep a clear, calm mind and avoid distraction of any kind.

About the Author: Dave Murphy is the founder and president of Good Wood, Inc., which makes a high quality wood dowel and the best hardwood dowel on the market. They also create wooden balls, wood knobs, wooden toy parts, custom wood parts, and more. They offer safe wood finishing, wood turning and can import from off-shore when necessary. Visit http://www.goodwoodinc.com for all of your wood product needs.

Standard routers cut along the edge of the wood, creating decorative edges and smooth joining surfaces. Plunge-cut routers start their cuts on the top of the wood. They “plunge” the bit into the surface. Many routers now come with attachments so that you can easily alternate between a plunge-cut and a standard router, depending on your needs.

Routers can also come with a base mount so that you can attach them to a table. This is useful if you are going to do a lot of repetitive work or if you’re working with large pieces. A router table either has a place for you to attach your router or it has a router already affixed to it. Routers can be used in almost any woodworking job and many jobs will require a router to complete.

Before you use your router for the first time, there are some things you should keep in mind. The spinning router bit is not shielded from anything. It can spin at speeds in upwards of 30,000 RPMs. Keep this in mind when you select your clothing. Long sleeves and loose fitting gloves can easily touch the bit and be sucked in with extreme speed. Objects and debris can also be ejected from the bit at an incredible rate. Eye protection should always be worn. You should also take extreme care not to cut through any nails, screws, or anything else that isn’t designed to be carved.

Practice with your router before you attempt to work on your actual piece. The torque can vary depending on what type of wood you are working with and how firmly you are able to hold the router. Make several practice passes with your router over some scrap wood to see which position and speed gets you the finish that you desire. With a little patience and practice, you’ll be able to create professional looking pieces in no time.

About the Author: Dave Murphy is the founder and president of Good Wood, Inc., which makes a high quality wood dowel and the best hardwood dowel on the market. They also create wooden balls, wood knobs, wooden toy parts, custom wood parts, and more. They offer safe wood finishing, wood turning and can import from off-shore when necessary. Visit http://www.goodwoodinc.com for all of your wood product needs.

Portable Tablesaw: The portable saw is great for people who may want to move their saw around from one site to another. You can simply lift up one side, like a wheel barrow, and then the wheels are engaged for easy maneuverability. This saw is great if you keep your tools inside the garage, but do your actual cutting outside of the garage. It is also useful if you’re doing carpentry jobs at other people’s homes. These saws use a smaller motor than the bigger tablesaws, so they might lack a little on power and make more noise, but they are still great for most home improvement.

Keep in mind that portable saws have aluminum tops, as opposed to cast iron, so they are louder with more vibration, and don’t make finely accurate cuts that you may be looking for if you are planning on doing more serious woodworking or cutting more hardwoods.

Contractor Tablesaw: Contractor saws are portable tablesaws with cast iron tops and more precision than the aluminum portable saw. This is what most people use for hobby woodworking. It is an affordable option, but is still loud due to the motor not being enclosed. Some people, like contractors, like having the higher quality saw while still retaining the portability of the portable saw.

Cabinet Tablesaw: The cabinet tablesaw is meant for serious woodworkers. It is made of cast iron and steel parts, has very little vibration, and can cut through thick and hardwoods with ease. This tablesaw has less alignment problems and needs less calibration than other saws. This saw is ideal for woodshops because it can handle pretty much anything that you throw at it. The motor is enclosed and produces a lot less noise than other saws. It does require a 220 volt circuit to operate and weighs over 500 pounds, cost more and is not portable, so consider that before you buy.

Hybrid Tablesaw: A hybrid tablesaw is the saw that most woodworkers can afford without sacrificing some of the qualities that they would like in a cabinet saw. This one would be considered “in between” the portable saw and the cabinet saw. The motor is enclosed, giving you quieter performance than portable saws. Hybrid saws also have better built motors and belt systems than portable saws. They can be used with your standard outlets and are easy to calibrate. This saw gives most woodworkers the performance and precision that they need without having to make a hefty investment in a cabinet saw.

About the Author: Dave Murphy is the founder and president of Good Wood, Inc., which makes a high quality wood dowel and the best hardwood dowel on the market. They also create wooden balls, wood knobs, wooden toy parts, custom wood parts, and more. They offer safe wood finishing, wood turning and can import from off-shore when necessary. Visit http://www.goodwoodinc.com for all of your wood product needs.

Shakers came to America from Manchester, England in 1774. The Shaker style of furniture was developed by the “United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing”, who were a devout group of Christians known for their work ethic and communal living style. Their designs are inspired by the simplistic lives that they chose to lead based on their religious beliefs and practices. Because the Shakers were not interested in modernization and mass fabrication, their furniture makers were not influenced by the outside world. Perhaps this is why their minds were left free to invent many of the woodworking tools and techniques that we use today, like the circular saw and many types of joinery.

Many people love to collect and build Shaker furniture and enjoy the timeless simplicity of the classic pieces. Each piece built is said to be an “instant heirloom” because of the high quality and sturdy designs of each piece. The Shakers believed that they served God by taking great care in completing every task. Quality woods and materials were used to build Shaker style furniture. Finishing was always done by hand and no shortcuts were taken. If you want to build something that is reminiscent of the Shaker tradition, then you should take your time and make sure that everything is done in the best way possible. Even dovetailing is done by hand on traditional Shaker pieces.

Shaker furniture is thought to be the inspiration for we consider “modern” furniture design. Dressers were often built with many drawers in anticipation for future family growth. Fanciful details were not tolerated by their Millennial Law. It stated that form and color of architecture, furniture and even art must be void of odd or fanciful styles among Believers. They believed in keeping everything efficient, tidy, and easily maintained. Buildings and furniture alike were created symmetrical and free of embellishments. However, they did not sacrifice quality on any level. In fact, they used marble and granite as foundations for their buildings, even after concrete was readily available to them.

Studying the Shaker history will definitely put you in the right frame of mind to work on your Shaker style woodworking or furniture project. The product that you end up with is sure to be a treasured piece in your home for generations to come.

About the Author: Dave Murphy is the founder and president of Good Wood, Inc., which makes a high quality wood dowel and the best hardwood dowel on the market. They also create wooden balls, wood knobs, wooden toy parts, custom wood parts, and more. They offer safe wood finishing, wood turning and can import from off-shore when necessary. Visit http://www.goodwoodinc.com for all of your wood product needs.

Start by removing the weakened or broken dowel. If the dowel doesn’t come loose on its own, you may have to use pliers, a claw hammer, or even a drill to loosen it, depending upon the original design and method used to secure the dowel. This will need to be done for the joints at both the top and the bottom of the backrest.

Next, remove any residual of the original glue that remains in the dowel joint. You can use rubbing alcohol or a water and vinegar mixture to soften the remaining glue. If the dowel joint is large enough to allow it, use a cloth to remove the residual glue by wiping it away. If the dowel joint is too small to allow that, however, you may use a drill with a small 1/8 drill bit to gently drill away the residual glue. As with removing the dowel, this will have to be done on both the top and the bottom of the backrest, anywhere wood glue residual is observed.

Use the dowel you’ve removed to gauge the approximate width and length of the wood dowel you will need to replace it. Depending upon any breaks or other defects, this may not provide an exact measurement, but can certainly assist in a useful estimation.

Once the replacement dowel is measured, cut, sanded, or any combination of these preparatory actions, apply wood glue on either end. Also, apply a nominal amount of wood glue into the joint in which the replacement dowel will be inserted.

Then, carefully insert the replacement dowel into the joint. Use a damp cloth to remove any excess wood glue that may spill over once the dowel is inserted. You may use a clamp to secure the replacement dowel until it dries completely.

Once the replacement dowel is completely dry, tested as secure, and the clamp removed, paint the new dowel with the same or a highly similar color as the remainder of the chair. If the chair is stained, stain the new dowel with the same or a highly similar finish.

With minimal investment, a hardwood dowel can be used to salvage your chairs and any number of other furniture pieces which might cost a considerable amount if replacements are purchased. A dowel’s versatility and a woodworker’s imagination can make so much using so little!

About the Author: Dave Murphy is the founder and president of Good Wood, Inc., which makes a high quality wood dowel and the best hardwood dowel on the market. They also create wooden balls, wood knobs, wooden toy parts, custom wood parts, and more. They offer safe wood finishing, wood turning and can import from off-shore when necessary. Visit http://www.goodwoodinc.com for all of your wood product needs.

Part of the allure of grandfather clocks is their ornamental style, so you’ll want to research different scrolling methods and mouldings before you decide on your clock pattern. You will need to buy a kit that gives you the pendulum, clock face, and number of weights that you desire. These choices will determine the sound that your clock will make, which chimes will ring and how often, as well as how many days the clock can go between windings.

Once you have the inner workings of the clock and the style picked out, you will need to buy the type of wood that you want to use. In general, something like this is meant to last a very long time, so you will most likely want to choose a hardwood, like maple, oak, walnut or mahogany. If price is an issue, then you will most likely want to go with a standard oak or wanut. Softer woods will dent and scratch too easily to withstand years of use.

Take time with the scrolling and mouldings of your clock. You may decide to put a personal artistic touch on your clock by doing some of the carvings by hand using a chisel or woodburner. Practice on scrap pieces before working on the piece of wood that you have chosen for these special sections. There are a lot of different options when it comes to mouldings. Shop around for different router tips and test them out on scrap pieces. Sometimes the weight of your hand can affect how it turns out, so you will definitely want to put in some practice before you work on your final piece.

Test out different stains on your wood before you decide to stain the final piece. Use a water based polyurethane for a long-lasting finish. Oil based polyurethanes can yellow over time. Putting care into your clock and taking the time to put decorative and personal touches on the piece will make it worth all of the money and effort that you put into it. Creating a family heirloom like this is very special, so make sure that you sign and date your work when you are done.

About the Author: Dave Murphy is the founder and president of Good Wood, Inc., which makes a high quality wood dowel and the best hardwood dowel on the market. They also create wooden balls, wood knobs, wooden toy parts, custom wood parts, and more. They offer safe wood finishing, wood turning and can import from off-shore when necessary. Visit http://www.goodwoodinc.com for all of your wood product needs.

To begin, you’ll need a sheet of 1/2″ thick plywood. Veneered or birch is best if you want to paint your shelf, because the wood grain doesn’t show through. The actual plans for the project are on familyhandyman.com. They suggest that you buy a quart of woodworker’s glue, 3/4″ and 1” brads for your nail gun, fast-drying wood filler, a quart of B-I-N or KILZ primer, and a quart of latex enamel paint.

They say that you can use a hammer if you don’t have a nail gun, but it will be harder, more awkward, and take longer. They also warn that if you choose a gloss paint, it will show imperfections. If you have a router, you can cut the outer panels a little long and then use a flush-trim router bit to clean up the ends without the hassle of precise cutting.

Check out the actual plans for this project at the link below. We love how they clearly and plainly give instructions for making this shelf perfectly square, smooth and super sturdy. Everything is illustrated with clear pictures and has tips along the way for avoiding long drying times, bowed ends, and rough overhangs. Perfect edges will make your project look professional, even if you’re a beginner.

Sanding is an important step in finishing your project. Plywood edges should be sanded. Family Handyman says to use 80-grit sandpaper and then 120-grit sandpaper. Then rub the quick-drying wood filler into all of the edges, nail holes and dents. When that is dry, you can sand everything down one more time with 120-grit sandpaper.

Use primer over the whole project to reveal any places that still need to be sanded or filled. Fill, sand and prime those spots again. Apply your paint, sanding gently with 220-grit paper in between the layers of paint. Do two coats.

Mark the studs and draw an outline of your box dimensions where you want it to hang. You can apply a small dab of toothpaste to the wall on the studs where you want your screws to go. Press the shelf into your outline and the toothpaste will mark where you want to drill the pilot holes on your shelf. Use two 3” deck screws to secure the shelf near the top and then two more at the bottom. Secure it to at least two studs. If more studs are available, use those too. This way your box will be sturdy enough to hold heavy objects, even people.

About the Author: Dave Murphy is the founder and president of Good Wood, Inc., which makes a high quality wood dowel and the best hardwood dowel on the market. They also create wooden balls, wood knobs, wooden toy parts, custom wood parts, and more. They offer safe wood finishing, wood turning and can import from off-shore when necessary. Visit http://www.goodwoodinc.com for all of your wood product needs.

Sources:

http://www.familyhandyman.com/DIY-Projects/Home-Organization/Bookshelves/simple-box-shelves/Step-By-Step

First, decide what you’re going to build. If you’re building a piece of furniture that will need to take a load or withstand bumping and scratching, you will need to use a hard wood. Oak is a popular choice for dressers, tables, cabinets and other household furniture, because it stains nice, has a lot of strength, is readily available, and doesn’t cost a fortune. Maple is another really popular choice for these types of items.

Soft woods are better for carving projects. Pine is popular because it’s inexpensive, easy to come by, easy to carve and sand, and is sturdy enough for shelves and things of that nature. Pine can dent if it’s bumped with something hard and it’s too soft to be a good writing surface. However, some people choose it for its rustic look and think that the dents and dings give it character and style. Poplar is another soft wood that is popular for projects like these.

Have you ever noticed that a lot of outdoor furniture is made from teak? This is because teak wood has natural oils that protect it from the elements. You may not be able to stain or varnish it, but it has a lovely natural color that many people prefer anyway.

Actual “hardwood” comes from trees that lose their leaves in the fall. “Softwood” comes from coniferous trees, or ones with needles. In general, hardwoods have a very defined wood grain and softwoods may not have a discernible grain at all. Some softwoods, like cedar, have properties that make them a very good choice for certain projects. Although soft, cedar is aromatic and absorbs moisture. This makes it very desirable for closet shelves and wooden hangers. Cedar deodorizes the air, prevents mildew and mold from forming, and repels insects.

Make sure that you ask about grade when purchasing your wood. Woods that are commonly stocked in home improvement stores are generally not the best for building furniture and other items that you want to last. Lower grade woods have more knots, split more easily, and are generally not suitable for a big project. When making joints, make sure that you choose a high grade of dowels and pegs, and specifically ask for a hardwood dowel or hardwood peg to compliment your project.

About the Author: Dave Murphy is the founder and president of Good Wood, Inc., which makes a high quality wood dowel and the best hardwood dowel on the market. They also create wooden balls, wood knobs, wooden toy parts, custom wood parts, and more. They offer safe wood finishing, wood turning and can import from off-shore when necessary. Visit http://www.goodwoodinc.com for all of your wood product needs.

1. You’ll need tools for marking and measuring your work. A measuring tape, a level, and a corner square are sufficient for getting you started.

2. You can make your straight cuts with a standard circle saw. Get an attachable wood guide to ensure that your cuts are straight.

3. A jigsaw is great for making curved cuts. You’ll find a lot of uses for this tool as you get into woodworking.

4. Shaping your wood can be done with a block plane. A router is also a handy tool to have for finishing edges and joints.

5. For drilling holes, you can use a standard cordless drill. If you can, go ahead and invest in one with a higher voltage so that you don’t run out of drilling power when you need it.

6. You will need a way to smooth corners and edges. A manual sanding block is good for small jobs and a power sander is relatively inexpensive and easy to use on larger surfaces.

7. You will need a way to glue pieces of your work together. Clamps are inexpensive and give you a lot of control over how your project turns out.

8. When you’re ready to move up to larger machines, you can choose from table saws, band saws, jointers, drill presses, planers, and more. These tools aren’t totally necessary to get started, but you may eventually want to upgrade.

9. Your first project may be building your own wall storage and work bench. You will find great uses for a vice on your workbench. It holds pieces that you’re working on right near your work surface.

10. You will need safety gear. Make sure that you invest a little in appropriate protection for your chest, eyes, ears, hands, lungs and feet. Woodworking is very enjoyable, but can also be very dangerous. Practicing good safety habits will help you to ensure that you enjoy woodworking for a lifetime.

11. Finally, you’ll need wood to work with. Do a little research to determine which types of wood will be the right density to be durable enough for your purposes. For pegs and joints that match your projects, consider using wood dowels that are made from the same material as your project. Hardwood dowels are great with furniture because they give joints a lot of strength and also take stain and finishing the same as your project.

About the Author: Dave Murphy is the founder and president of Good Wood, Inc., which makes a high quality wood dowel and the best hardwood dowel on the market. They also create wooden balls, wood knobs, wooden toy parts, custom wood parts, and more. They offer safe wood finishing, wood turning and can import from off-shore when necessary. Visit http://www.goodwoodinc.com for all of your wood product needs.

Respirators and “airshields” are meant to protect you from the dangers of sawdust and airborne agents used in wood and finishes. You will most likely need a dust collection system for your work area, as well as a separate respirator or airshield. These filter the air that you’re breathing to keep the dangerous, nearly invisible particles in the air out of your body.

Protecting your hearing with specialty “ear muffs” or noise reduction ear plugs is very important when working with power tools. Many people do not think about the permanent damage that they are causing to their ears when they use power tools unprotected.

Safety glasses are also a must at all times. Polycarbonate lenses offer high impact protection from flying debris and tools. Make sure that your safety glasses are made for woodworking. They should completely cover any access to the eye, including side shielding. Being adjustable, fog-free, and scratch resistant are also a plus. Some are magnifying to help you see what you’re doing when you’re working on smaller details. Some people prefer a face shield instead of safety glasses, especially if they wear prescription glasses already.

Your torso and arms should have some sort of protective clothing or shield. A woodworker’s apron made of a heavy canvas or leather is great for protecting vital organs. Long sleeves and long gloves are great for protecting arms. Gloves are always a good idea for protecting your hands. You don’t want too much bulk, so choose gloves that fit properly. Also make sure that your gloves are made of a thick material, such as leather. You can also protect your hands by using tools designed to help push wood through the saw feeds, assisting you with downward pressure and inward pressure at the same time.

Protect your feet by shielding them from accidental drops and spills. Close toed shoes are a must. Steel toed boots are even better. You can also protect your joints from the hours that you may be standing on a hard surface by using a cushioned “fatigue” mat. These take a lot of the pressure and impact off of your joints so that you can enjoy your craft without sustaining static injury.

About the Author: Dave Murphy is the founder and president of Good Wood, Inc., which makes a high quality wood dowel and the best hardwood dowel on the market. They also create wooden balls, wood knobs, wooden toy parts, custom wood parts, and more. They offer safe wood finishing, wood turning and can import from off-shore when necessary. Visit http://www.goodwoodinc.com for all of your wood product needs.