This article provides woodworking and DIY tips that will enable you to conveniently and professionally enhance your projects. Additionally, some of these tips will allow you to complete tasks independently, even those that usually require expensive or difficult-to-obtain tools.
1. Wood Layout – Triangle Registration
When arranging wood pieces, it can be confusing to keep track of them, particularly if there are multiple cuts with similar lengths. While numbering the pieces and their joints is a viable option, a simpler method is to utilize a triangular shape. By moving the pieces, one can easily visualize their positions in relation to one another as the triangular shape can only be formed in one way when they are joined together.
When the pieces are positioned correctly, scribe a triangle onto your wood to ensure that every part of the triangle touches all the pieces you want to align with each other. By using a straight edge, you can easily and efficiently reference even the most intricate glue-ups.
The triangle registration mark is an excellent tool to use whether you have boards laminated together in a specific orientation or multiple pieces that need to be in a specific place.
2. Marking Cut Lines
By thinking step by step, I am able to save a considerable amount of time by avoiding the need to remeasure, and it also assists me in considering the kerf, which refers to the blade’s thickness used for cutting.
The divergence between the left and right sides of the saw teeth is known as kerf, and when cutting, there is inevitably some wood loss which is transformed into sawdust.
If you simply cut along the marked line without considering the blade kerf, your measured piece would be affected and the accuracy of your cut would be compromised. Although it may not appear significant, experiencing a project that is 1/8″ off in measurement can be incredibly frustrating.
To solve this, you should measure your piece and then make a small mark on one side of the measured line, indicating the side to cut on.
After measuring, align your blade with the line on the marked side, ensuring that the kerf is positioned on one side of the line and does not cross into the measured area. When working with a partner and dividing tasks, this trick is useful for keeping each other aware of the cutting areas.
3. Straight Lines on Dowels
Occasionally, the need to create a straight line on a dowel may arise and it might seem challenging even with the availability of various advanced measuring tools. However, the solution is quite straightforward. All you need to do is insert the dowel into a straight slotted surface, such as the track of your table saw, and use a pencil to trace a line along the track and the dowel.
4. Story Stick
It is crucial to make precise measurements, however, one can simplify repetitive measurements by creating a story stick. This stick is a measured reference that can be easily constructed using any available squared scrap materials.
Story sticks are a great tool due to their ability to be as precise as required, their convenience compared to a tape measure, and the assurance that once the measurement is marked, there is no possibility of misreading it.
To elaborate on this idea, a story stick can also serve as a guide for drilling holes at a consistent distance from an edge. Create a story stick in the usual manner, but this time include a drilled opening at the measured mark. Now your story stick can function as a drill guide.
5. Drill Depth
It is not necessary for every drilled hole to go all the way through the material. While stops can be easily set up on a drill press, there are situations where using the press may not be the most suitable option (such as needing portability or working with large materials). A depth marker for a handheld power drill can be easily created by using a piece of tape to indicate the desired drilling depth.
6. Glue Cleanup
Glue is an excellent tool for numerous woodworking projects. The application of glue is relatively straightforward, although occasionally it may result in a messy situation. In order to clean up excess glue that has not yet dried, one can simply apply sawdust onto the glue and gently rub it until the excess glue is absorbed. This technique is preferable compared to using a moist cloth or sponge since moisture can cause the wood to expand.
Removing glue from your hands after securing your project is made effortlessly easier. Simply rub your hands together to easily eliminate any glue that may have come into contact with your skin. Glue that is wet or still damp should easily come off in flakes.
7. Using the Biscuit Joiner
This is a good alternative if we desire to avoid using screws when constructing our furnishings or shelves. It is an affordable tool that enables us to connect pieces of wood or boards together, whether it be edge-to-face or edge-to-edge.
A handheld tool with a small blade is used to cut grooves in wood. These grooves allow us to insert a wooden biscuit, which, when combined with glue, creates strong and durable bonds. Additionally, the biscuits serve as guides for centering the pieces being joined, facilitating easier assembly.
The functions and manner of operation resemble those of a portable mortiser, such as the one available on a website called X-motion.
To adjust the groove depth on the tool, we should consider the biscuit and board thickness. The initial biscuit should be positioned 20mm from the front, and additional biscuits should be placed every 150 or 200mm based on the board length. To mark their placement, simply align the pieces edge-to-edge and use a pencil to mark them.
By utilizing this tool, we can also construct kitchen worktops with end-to-end joints. In addition to biscuits, we have the option to utilize another fitting called a half moon nut.
8. Evenly Space Drawers Using a Deck of Cards
To execute the procedure, begin by stacking all the fronts on one another without any gaps. Next, grab a deck of cards and insert it into the space at the top, removing an appropriate number of cards until the deck fits snugly.
After determining the number of cards that can fit in the gap, we must divide that number among the necessary gaps between the drawers. The number of gaps will always be one more than the total number of drawers. For instance, if there are 5 drawers or drawer fronts, we will require 6 gaps. Assuming the gap can accommodate 60 cards.
We need to start by placing two sets of six cards on both ends of the lower part of the cabinet for the drawers. Next, we take the first drawer front and place it on top of the card piles. Then, we continue this process one drawer at a time until all the drawers are installed. The complete procedure can be seen in the pictures provided in the article about my multifunction workbench.
This bench combines the benefits of both a woodworking bench and a simple work table, making it a robust bench with ample storage space for easy accessibility of tools.
9. Join Wood or Boards with Screws
One of the greatest and most useful inventions for joining wood is wood screws. They offer a firm, long-lasting bond and are cost-effective, convenient, and simple to use. When screwing pieces together, if feasible and the project size permits, the initial step is to predrill one of the pieces using a column drill.
The initial step is to drill a hole in the piece where the screw will be placed. If feasible, it is recommended to employ a countersink bit and a depth stop, as depicted in the photo above, to prevent the screw head from causing any damage to the wooden surface. This hole should be created using a bit that matches the diameter of the screw.
We can later utilize these openings as a reference to drill the other component. The diameter of the new hole should be approximately 0.5mm smaller for hardwood or boards, or up to 1mm smaller for softer wood compared to the screw.
In order to match the board we are using, it is necessary to adjust the size and diameter of the screw accordingly. If the board measures between 15 and 20mm in thickness, screws with a size of 3.5mm or 4mm can be chosen. Conversely, for boards with a thickness of 9mm, a 3mm screw will suffice.
Typically, in carpentry, it is common practice to conceal screws, although certain projects and screw types may give them a more appealing or attractive appearance.
