Woodworking is the best hobby for those who want to invest time in making something useful. You’d be surprised at how many things you can make yourself by learning the basics of woodworking. You’d be surprised at how much money you can save making things yourself.
Thus, the woodworking hobby has become very popular nowadays and more people are trying themselves as a woodworker.
Table of Contents
What is woodworking?
Woodworking is the process of using wood in order to make useful things in a hobby or in any other activity. Usually, it involves cutting, shaping, and joining the wood into a specific product. If a person is involved in making things with his/her own hands using tools, it is called woodworking. You can also read how to plane wood without planer.
Here are the ways to get started woodworking:
Starting woodworking is not as complicated as you might think, and it can be done with the most basic of tools. Here are the ways to get started woodworking, choosing your woodworking tools, taking measurements, making sure your workspace is safe and tidy, getting some good plans, and starting on the project!
1) Find a place suitable for woodworking
The first step is to find a place suitable for woodworking. Since it is a hobby, you can do the woodworking in your garage or in the basement of your house. However, the place should be dry and free from people who are not involved in woodworking.
2) Consider the available space
When you choose a place for woodworking, think about the space available. Some spaces need to be rearranged in order to suit your hobby. When you choose the place, don’t forget to measure the available space. It is recommended that you arrange some other tools like sawhorses, clamps, etc.
3) Choose the best woodworking project
Now, after finding a suitable place, it’s time to choose your first project. If you are new to woodworking and this is the first time you are getting started woodworking, it is recommended that you choose an easy project. A simple yet useful project will give you great satisfaction even if your first attempt fails. So, consider choosing a simple project to start with.
4) Choose the best wood for your first project
There are many types of wood available in the market, each having its own advantages and disadvantages. When you choose a wood for your project, consider the color of the wood. A light-colored wood can enhance beauty while choosing a dark-colored one will be easy to paint later on.
There is much wood available in the market. Also, there are several types of wood that can be used for different projects. Some of these woods are Pine, Oak wood, Maple, Birch, Plywood, Parawood, etc.
5) Buy tools for safety reasons
When you are getting started woodworking, always buy safety equipment including dust masks, ear protection, sturdy shoes, etc. Also, have your work area well-lit for increased safety.
6) Buy the wood for your project
Now it is time to buy the wood required for your first project. You should choose good quality wood which will be easy to carve and cut later on. It doesn’t matter if you are getting started with hardwood or softwood; each type of wood has its own features.
7) Find the right tools for woodworking
Some good quality tools are required to cut the wood in the desired shape. When you are getting started with woodworking, it is recommended that you buy a few tools instead of buying all equipment at once. Buying all equipment at once can cost you heavily and you might not need all of them.
8) Find the right plans for woodworking projects
Before getting started, it is important to find free or paid plans for your project. It will be easy to get the woodworking plan from the internet and choose a good one after some research. Some people create their own customized plans while others prefer buying pre-made plans.
9) Practice your skills on scrap wood
Before getting started with the real project, you should practice making cuts and another carving on scrap pieces of wood. This will help you in improving your skills and give you confidence while working on a live project. Lots of newbies fail to carve complicated designs and get stuck at their early stages. So, before starting make sure that you are familiar with all tools and equipment.
10) Start your project slowly
Finally, start your first project slowly. Don’t get started with a complicated design. A simple yet elegant pattern will be enough to get started woodworking safely. If you find difficulties while getting the design right, use jigs and fixtures to fix the problems. A wrong slip can cause serious accidents so be careful while getting started with woodworking projects.
11) Keep learning new techniques
After completing your first project, you will realize that there are still many things left to learn. So, it is highly recommended that you keep learning and practicing new techniques related to woodworking. You can master your skills with time and grow into a professional woodworker.
Tools for Getting Started Woodworking
Many tools are required to make a good quality DIY project. Though you can complete most projects with basic tools, some power tools will help you get accurate cuts and drill holes faster. When you are getting started, don’t buy all tools at once. Instead of buying a few basic tools before starting with the project,
There are many power and hand tool that can help you get started woodworking. These are some of the most tools that are commonly used for woodworking projects:
Power saw: A power saw is the most important tool for woodworking. Different types of power saws like a band saw, circular saw, chainsaw, miter saw, jigsaw, and table saw are available for different projects.
Hand saw: A hand saw is not used very often these days. But it will be helpful when you are working with small pieces of wood. These are coping saw, keyhole saw and bow saw, hand saw.
Power Drill & Drill bits: There are different types of drill and drill bits used for woodworking. Drill press, corded drill, and cordless drill are some common drills & drill bits used for woodworking.
Sander: Sander is the most important tool to get a smooth finish. There are different types of sanders used for woodworking. Belt sander, orbital sander, sheet sander, and random orbital sanders are the most common ones used for different projects.
Nailer: A finish Nailer and a brad Nailer are two types of Nailer used for woodworking.
Wood Jointer: A wood joiner is used to make the edge of two pieces of wood perfectly flat and smooth.
Wood Planer: Wood planers are important tools to get a smooth and flat surface on pieces of wood.
Oscillating Tools: Oscillating tools are helpful to perform many tasks that are not possible with other tools.
Wood Glue: When you are getting started, wood glue is the most useful adhesive to get a strong bond between pieces of wood.
Other tools: A brad Nailer and a chisel, tape measure, nail gun, lumber, biscuit joiner, finish Nailer, Forster bits, router table, and dowel jigs, dust collection are some other tools, and materials that you need to get started with woodworking projects.
These are some basic tools and equipment that you need to get started on woodworking projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of getting started with woodworking?
Woodworking is a fun activity that can help you to reduce stress. It provides the best relaxation to the mind and body. By getting started with woodworking, you can make decorative pieces of furniture for your home and office. In addition, woodworking is a good activity to spend time with friends and family. So if you are a beginner, try this simple hobby to stay physically and mentally fit.
What kind of wood should I use for a beginner?
Getting started with woodworking projects, many people face the question that what kind of wood they should use. If you ask this question to a first-time woodworker, the answer is very simple: any type of wood that has a straight grain and doesn’t have large knots. Different types of wood such as pine, cedar, oak, maple, mahogany, and poplar are some best options for beginners.
Which power tools should I buy for my first project?
Power tools are expensive, and it is the most common question asked by beginners. If you don’t have a lot of money to buy power tools, then you can start with basic tools such as hand saws, circular saws, and jigsaws. Later when you become advanced in woodworking projects, you can purchase very useful power tools such as a table saw, power miter saw, and wood router.
How do I get started with woodworking projects?
Most beginners start to make a small project first such as a birdhouse or a photo frame. Therefore, it is recommended that you can use these small projects to improve your woodworking skills gradually before making more complex projects. You can start with simple woodworking projects that will help you to develop your skills further.
What are some common hand tools used in woodworking projects?
Hand tools are available in different styles, and shapes. Therefore, it is recommended that you can choose the one which suits your style of work. As there are many types of woodworking projects, hand tools are used in various ways depending on the project type. On the other hand, if you need to cut a piece of wood then a saw might be the right tool to use.
Conclusion
After reading this article, we hope that you can make a better decision on how to get started woodworking.
So, now you know all the important tips to get started as a beginner in woodworking. Just follow these tips and continue practicing different techniques until you master them completely. Always buy quality tools for safety purposes and don’t forget to wear safety equipment at all times. Good luck and enjoy your hobby!
