Hardwood contributes to about 10% of the global timber stock and finds a wide variety of uses, residential, commercial, or industrial. They are rather expensive than softwoods and are used to build exclusive furniture items and architectural fittings. Their beautiful hues, patterns, and textures go a long way in cementing their presence in the lumber industry. However, working with hardwood can be quite tricky at times, and if you are a woodworking professional, you may find the following tips helpful.
Use the right wood for your project
While the wood samples may look similar, they are rather different in terms of vessel elements, pores, and hardiness. You should consult a local supplier or other professional woodworkers if you aren’t confident in making the right choice. It’s recommended to get hardwood cut stock from a reliable supplier with a high reputation in the market. You should also keep your skill and equipment limitations in mind while setting off to work with hardwood, as the denser ones can be prone to splitting and difficult to cut and bend without advanced machinery.
Remove clutter from your workplace
While working with hardwood, your focus will define your efficiency. Hence, it’s best to have an organized workplace without clutter to increase your productivity by leaps and bounds. Keep only those items on your desk that you need and remove everything else. Also, install enough lighting in your workspace to ensure proper illumination levels and prevent the casting of shadows.
Make sure your cutting equipment is sharp enough
Never use tools that have dull blades to cut hardwood, as they won’t be able to cut properly and tear at the fibers, leading to an unprofessional appearance. Use chisels, scrapers, planes, and gouges with sharp blades to get a professional finish. While using belt sanders or grinders, prevent them from getting too hot by dipping them in cool water for a few seconds before using. Further, use a wet stone while honing to ensure fine woodworking.
Reduce the chances of glue stains
First, clamp the pieces together without glue and apply masking tape over the joint before cutting it along the lines. You can then apply glue by pulling the pieces apart and clamping them again with the glue in between. When the glue oozes out, it will stain the tape and not the wood directly. Remove the tape carefully before the glue dries.
Wrapping it up
You should also do all measurements with a drafting square that you will get in any utility shop. Also, be aware of the wood’s moisture content before starting to work on it. Too moist a wood can lead to shrinking or warping, hence be careful. Contact an expert to get more tips on woodworking today.