Friday, April 13, 2012

How To Do Woodworking - Hot Tips To Ensure Success In Your First Woodworking Project

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Mike_D_Lee]Mike D Lee
If you are wondering whether it is possible to learn how to do woodworking successfully for your very first woodworking project, then you will be pleased to know you have come to the right place. It is possible so long as you follow a few useful tips which we will go through. It is very important to remember not to be disheartened if you start experiencing certain problems in the first days of getting started.  It is very common to encounter problems since woodworking is a tricky hobby. However, with more practice and by following guidelines, you should be able to end up with woodworking results that you will be proud of.
Assess Your Skill Level
For you to be able to do well in the overall process of learning how to do woodworking, you should get a clear idea of the different types of projects that you are capable of doing. Never ever take on a project that is too advanced for your skill level. Doing so will only lead you to disappointment, and it will only cause you to waste your materials. If you ensure that you match your current level of expertise to the woodworking plans you will be using, there is no doubt that you would be able to produce results that will be ultimately favorable.
Check Your Tools   
When you start to learn how to do woodworking, it is important to check you have the necessary tools to go through your project in the most efficient and effective manner. If you want to turn your woodworking hobby into a moneymaking activity, then you need to invest on the right tools that will help you do well in the job. Make sure that you pick tools that will not only help you perform the necessary steps but will also cover for any woodworking weakness you may have.
Create A Workshop
It will be very helpful if you allocate a certain area of your home for woodworking activities. To be able to learn how to do woodworking well, you will require a certain amount of space, which means that undertaking your projects in the middle of your sitting room, for example, will not be advisable. Your woodworking projects will only cause a big mess with all the extra pieces and parts of wood taken out, so you need to work in a space that none of your family members would need.
Get Hold Of The Best Plans
Finally, get your hands on the best woodworking plans that will serve as a step-by-step guide in providing the finished outcome that you want. There are lessons that can gear you with the necessary techniques of how to do woodworking, but you need to get your hands on woodworking plans that will guide you through the specific project that you want to get your hands on. As with other woodworking considerations, steer clear of project plans that are free since they are most likely to leave out important details and dimensions, causing frustration in your project and a high chance of not being able to complete it.
By following these tips, you should be able to learn how to do woodworking successfully even with your very first project.
Would you like to get started on learning   how to do woodworking today? Download 10,000 high quality, professional plans complete with colored diagrams, accurate dimensions and tool list suitable for woodworkers of all levels. Simply visit: http://www.tedswoodworkingreviewsite.com
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?How-To-Do-Woodworking---Hot-Tips-To-Ensure-Success-In-Your-First-Woodworking-Project&id=6638565] How To Do Woodworking - Hot Tips To Ensure Success In Your First Woodworking Project

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Great Tips for Woodworking

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Stephen_Bruce_Parish]Stephen Bruce Parish
Wood is one of the best renewable resources that nature offers. Apart from its other uses, it is primarily utilized for building houses and to shape furniture. Since time immemorial, man has showed great interest in woodworking, either as a hobby or for trade purposes. As time progressed, this unique wood art evolved into a wide range of hand skills and techniques that needs to be mastered. In case you are interested in woodworking as a leisure pursuit, then the beginner woodworking plans can be your best companion. This kit is specifically designed in such a manner that anyone can easily get started with woodworking. There are more than a hundred disciplines in woodworking to choose from. The DIY woodworker will enable you to become proficient in every discipline such as cabinetry, wood carving, etc.
The beginner woodworking plans are best sources of help for a fresher. These plans will not only tell you the requirements for a project, but also define the measurements of each material needed. The simple instructions will also roughly give you the amount of time needed for each project. Generally, these woodworking plans will label the projects as per the difficulties and complications involved in them. The easy-to-understand steps and viable sketch is the highlight of the woodworking plans. Complete detailed information about the various tools required is provided in these quality plans. Being a beginner, it is advised that you choose simple woodworking plans that does not involve many intricacies. Choose simple projects that require fewer tools and does not consume much time.
Today, many professionals have been working on the design plans to make woodworking a wonderful learning experience. These beginner woodworking plans are well-designed and can be used by anyone. You can find some of the best trustworthy woodworking plan collections online. Having more than thousand plans and accurate blueprints for your use is a great boon. This way you will not have to worry about the expenses as a single collection of plans can be used for multiple projects. In order to find a quality DIY woodworker, you need to do a little homework by researching on the various options available. The internet world is replete with great woodworking plans and you need to sift through the irrelevant information to find a complete woodworking package.
Once you learn the art of carving and chiseling, woodworking can be a fun activity. As a novice, you have a lot to learn and the beginner woodworking plans are sure to help you through the processes. Making informed decisions can save you from unwanted frustrations. Keep your task list simple and organize every work as per the priority list to keep any hassles at bay. You should decide on easy woodworking projects that interests you the most. It is advised not to get carried away with unrealistic expectations. When you settle for the one which is comfortable, then there are lesser chances of dropping out of the project midway. Learning step by step and being patient with self is the key to successfully master the art of woodworking.
Stephen Bruce Parish is the author of this article on [http://woodworkingscene.com/woodworking-plans-for-beginners/]beginner woodworking plans. Find more information, about [http://woodworkingscene.com/the-diy-woodworker/]DIY woodworker here.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Great-Tips-for-Woodworking&id=6636376] Great Tips for Woodworking

Monday, April 9, 2012

Woodworking Routers and Router Bits - The Right Tools for Modern Homeowners

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Ryan_Doss]Ryan Doss
Do you sometimes wish you can create an artistic piece out of timber? Do you see yourself completing wooden item repairs with a little help? Have you often considered using machines to help you with these future tasks? If you answered "yes" to all, you should consider getting woodworking routers and bits soon.
What is a woodworking router?
It is a power tool used to create different forms and shapes in wood. Oftentimes, the machine is used to form shapes at the edge of wooden boards or is used to hollow out its centre.
The tool we see today is but a memory of what it used to be. Before electrical-powered machines became available, the router was but a simple hand tool made up of a wide-based wooden hand plane with a slim blade protruding from its base plate. This peculiar look earned it its sobriquet "Old Woman's Tooth" among workers and capitalists involved in the woodworking industry.
Patternmakers and staircase workers employed woodworking routers during these times. These were very useful since it can create basic to complex designs. The cabinet-making industry also preferred to work with these devices as it proved handy in the trade. Designs it executed showed careful artistry and in turn attracted many buyers to purchase cabinets and cupboards with intricate layouts.
This manual device continued to be popular even when electric powered equipment were already present on the market. Many workers and manufacturers alluded to its usefulness and continued to work with it until demands for more production came to place. This move eventually gave way to electric tool usage in the USA and other industrial countries.
What are the different types?
The tools available today come in two forms: (1) handheld and (2) table routers. Handheld ones have switch buttons often placed on the motor's body or at one of the handles. This device usually has two handles on each side and a working motor placed at the middle. This feature aids users when manipulating the machine. A person using it can easily glide and control the motions as it cuts or shapes wood.
Table routers are machines mounted on worktables. These are often useful for creating smaller pieces that need more design details. Various wood artists and aficionados often cite its usefulness in this aspect as it offers precision cutting. Novices can also enjoy working with it as the wood used is secured in place.
What are router bits?
Router bits are implements used when working with routers. These come in different shapes and sizes with specific functions. For instance, a straight bit is useful for making straight or vertical cuts. It's also useful for hollowing out wood. Several workers also state its efficiency in removing materials in increments when it is attached to a specialized router.
Why should I have these tools?
Purchasing is practical if you want to execute DIY wood projects. With the right materials and practice, you can also repair and restore wooden furniture, cabinets, and much more.
Buying woodworking routers and bits through the Internet is easy. Make sure to read customer and business reviews on which online suppliers offer quality equipment at reasonable prices.
Ryan Doss is a DIY enthusiast who bought [http://www.timbecon.com.au/]woodworking router and [http://www.timbecon.com.au/products/torquata-router-bit-sets-345_0.aspx]router bits recently to begin a cabinet-making job.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Woodworking-Routers-and-Router-Bits---The-Right-Tools-for-Modern-Homeowners&id=6647985] Woodworking Routers and Router Bits - The Right Tools for Modern Homeowners

Saturday, April 7, 2012

Radial Arm Saw Techniques

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Melvin_G_Brown]Melvin G Brown
Lets talk about radial arm saws and what can be done with them. The radial arm saw gets a lot of bad press about how dangerous they are, and they can be. But anything that turns on and spins a cutting blade is dangerous. I don't know for sure but I would bet that there are just as many fingers laying on table saw tables as on radial arm saw tables.
So what is a radial arm saw, it is a saw motor that is mounted on a rail above the saw table. This motor can be moved along this rail or arm, thus giving it very good cross cutting ability. The arm can be swung right or left 45 degrees making it very easy to make miter cuts no matter how long your board is. Think about it, you have a 2x6 board 12 feet long and you have to cut a 45 degree miter and all you have is a table saw it ain't going to happen.
OK so now you want to cut shelf slots in that new book case your making, no problem. Just mount your dado blade on your radial arm saw, lower the arm until you have the depth you want and saw as many slots as you want. Once again, you only have a table saw. You have a 1x12 by 6 foot long board and you need to cut six shelf slots, what do you think is going to happen, nothing good. With a radial arm saw you cut these slots in five minutes no problem.
These radial arm saw techniques allow you to do all of these cuts with ease. Let us look at a few other cuts you can make with ease. OK you are building a new deck and you need to cut 4 inch by 6 inch beams, just lay your beam on the table, line up your mark and saw. Guess what, your 10 inch saw did not cut all the way through, no problem, just roll your beam over, line up your mark and pull your saw through, that's it, nice clean cut. Same thing with 4x4s or any other beam you need to cut.
I bet you think by now that I hate table saws, not true, I love a good table saw, I have a very good one in my shop. Table saws are great for ripping narrow boards from wider boards, everything else that you want to do is hard and very time consuming and down right dangerous. We use our radial arm saw five to one over our table saw, every day its faster and safer. Say you need to cut 100 2x6 bird blocking, you clamp a stop block to your fence, lay your 10 foot board on the table, slide it to the stop and cut time after time until you have your 100 blocks cut fast and easy.
Lets look at safety, when you're making repetitive cuts don't let speed get the best of your judgment, don't lay your thumbs over the back edge of your board because you can end up one thumb short.
I hope you like these radial arm saw techniques. In closing, if you are just starting wood working and don't have pockets full of cash and wondering what to buy, take a long hard look at the radial arm saw, it can do it all. Thanks for reading and I have much more on this topic and will do another article latter thank you.
Uncle Mel
I have been building and selling these wooden coin banks for over 25 years. I make a very good living and I am now selling the plans on how to make and sell these banks. If you like this article and think I tell it like it is then you owe it to yourself to take a look at my plans they are good and full size with nothing left out. Thank you from all us here at Uncle Mel's Wood Shop.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Radial-Arm-Saw-Techniques&id=6652816] Radial Arm Saw Techniques

Thursday, April 5, 2012

Wood Is One of the Most Reusable of Materials

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=John_Markfield]John Markfield
Information from Harvard University reports that more than 95 percent of the native forests in the United States have been cut down as of the early 21st century, so anyone using woodworking machines should take note not to waste this valuable resource.
More than two thirds of the timber we use in the UK is imported. In the UK we generate an estimated 5 million tonnes of waste wood each year. In 1996 less than 200,000 tonnes of waste wood was recycled. By 2010 the recycled tonnage had risen to almost 2.8 million.

Every man, woman and child in Great Britain consumes one tonne of wood a year. The UK currently consumes about 3% the world's wood consumption. The UK has only about 1% of the world's population, but has three times the world's average per capita consumption rate of wood.

Why should we use recycled wood? First of all it is a sustainable alternative to using virgin timber. Recycled wood has moisture content of around 20% compared to the 60-70% moisture in virgin wood; it lasts longer and utilizes less energy during processing.

Recycled wood is normally graded as follows:
Grade 1: timber good enough to sell back to the DIY/builders' market.
Grade 2: clean and sound but too short or small to be easily sold for DIY,
Grade 3: everything else
By recycling instead of landfilling, we are not paying the landfill tax on the majority of the waste we collect. Recycling will eventually save money as the cost of disposing through landfill rises. If wood is allowed to rot in landfill sites it contributes methane to greenhouse gas production. Methane is 23 times more potent a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide.

Recycled wood has several identifiable characteristics. Since the trees often grew in old-growth forests, which led to slow growth which meant stronger, denser tree trunks.

The latest technology being used in wood recycling plants and woodworking machinery are increasing processing efficiency and economy. The emerging market for wood chip is as a renewable fuel for energy production. Major power generating companies are planning for a number of large scale power stations which will consume large tonnages of recycled wood chip.

Projects are in progress to heat schools, public buildings and nurseries from recycled wood. The Government is committed to producing 15% of the UK's energy needs from renewable sources by 2020. There are many companies or local social enterprise schemes set up for wood recycling, so if you are not currently wood recycling, it would be a good time to start.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Wood-Is-One-of-the-Most-Reusable-of-Materials&id=6653302] Wood Is One of the Most Reusable of Materials

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Build A Simple Chicken Coop: The Benefits of Learning How

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=H._Riedi]H. Riedi
We are experiencing some rough times in our economy and one way to combat this is to do something to help make your life a bit easier and self-sustainable.
Building a simple chicken coop and raising chickens has many benefits. If you are a craftsman or even just have interest in this project then try it out. It is worthwhile using simple chicken coop plans that help you step by step whether it is for your own accomplishment, for living a greener lifestyle or for profit.
Chicken house kits
As an alternative, some people would rather buy chicken house kits. These kits usually include all the materials and instructions to build the design that you have purchased. It is an easy way to build your coop since you don't have to worry about getting all the supplies or purchasing the wrong amount and wasting material. These kits are great ideas for those people who would like to do a weekend project with your kids or with your spouse.
Build simple chicken coop yourself
If you are the craftsman type you most likely want to build a simple chicken coop yourself. These types of people would rather have plans with many designs to choose from to make their own coop. There are many examples of people building their own chicken houses. Some scouting groups are building coops as part of a community project. Many families are joining in on the fun by building their own coop as a family project and also as an effort to live a "greener" lifestyle.
Business idea to make extra cash
There are so many reasons why people want to learn how to build a simple chicken coop. I'm sure that the experience in building your own coop is a very rewarding accomplishment. Learning to build your own one has more benefits that you may think about. With this knowledge you will be able to build coops not only for yourself but for others as a business idea. You can use your craftsmanship to sell chicken coops to other people.
In the past, many people would never have considered raising chickens let alone building a chicken house. Our economy has changed and so have our view points. Building chicken houses and selling them were not even considered, but in today's economy it can prove to be a profitable side income. If you market yourself and your services it could turn out to be a full-time job. If this interests you, it is good to have a   rel=nofollow [http://www.squidoo.com/building-plans-for-chicken-coops]variety of plans  to offer your clients. Who knows, your clients may have side jobs for you as well!
Your knowledge of building simple chicken houses is always worth having. As mentioned, it might be for your own accomplishment, for living a greener lifestyle or for profit that you benefit from by building a simple chicken coop.
Build a simple chicken coop as a way of changing your lifestyle.
Don't miss reading more on this topic
1. [http://www.squidoo.com/building-plans-for-chicken-coops]Building plans REVIEW for chicken coops
2. Build inexpensive chicken houses as a business idea
3. Building plans for chicken houses for those who need extra help
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Build-A-Simple-Chicken-Coop:-The-Benefits-of-Learning-How&id=6655602] Build A Simple Chicken Coop: The Benefits of Learning How

Sunday, April 1, 2012

How to Build a Canoe - Anyone Can Do It!

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Joseph_B_Wood]Joseph B Wood
One of my life dreams was to learn how to build a canoe from scratch. I finally did it and I found out it wasn't as difficult as I had anticipated it being. With a good instruction book and clear plans, I just followed the directions, step by step, until one day it was finally done! This article is designed to help you learn how to build a canoe.
I won't be able to teach you everything in this short article, but I will give you a few key pointers and tips I learned while building my canoe.
My canoe was what's called a wood strip canoe. It's made of 1/4" thick cedar wood strips glued together, edge to edge. The strips are laid against plywood templates which give the canoe its shape.
Looking back on my project, I see several small things I would have done differently. Neither one has anything to do with the structural integrity of the boat. They are mostly regarding the appearance.
The first technique I would have done differently is to align the dark cedar strips on one side of the canoe with dark cedar strips on the other side. Cedar can vary quite a bit in shade from very dark to almost white. Viewing the canoe from the bow or stern, you see lighter strips across from darker strips.
The second thing I would tell someone who's learning how to build a canoe, is to use wood filler the same color as the wood you're filling. The book I read said to use "Rock Hard" water putty. It's very light in color, which doesn't blend at all with the darker cedar wood. Fiberglass does not cover discrepancies like this. They show right through.
All in all, learning how to build a canoe was fun and educational. And I ended up with a beautiful canoe which draws tons of compliments when my wife and I take it out!
As I was nearing the end of the construction process, I was tempted to buy the seats and paddles, which is an option if you find yourself short of time. I chose to make my own caned seats and wood strip paddles. Building the paddles wasn't too difficult or time-consuming, but caning the seats! Wow! That was a project all by itself. It took quite a bit of time, patience, and determination. But I get a good feeling knowing I built EVERY part of my canoe myself.
Even though I had previous woodworking experience, I believe that anyone with even a small amount of skill can easily learn how to build a canoe. All that's required is a good plan, time, and patience.
If you are into the beauty and serenity of owning and paddling a wood strip canoe, I highly recommend that you build a canoe yourself. Like I said before, learning how to build a canoe isn't difficult. Give it a try. You'll be glad you did.
If you'd like to see photos of my beautiful canoe, visit my website, [http://www.howtobuildacanoe.net]How to Build a Canoe. Not only will you find more pointers for canoe building, there's also some recommendations for good canoe plans.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?How-to-Build-a-Canoe---Anyone-Can-Do-It!&id=6650851] How to Build a Canoe - Anyone Can Do It!