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Woodworking is a wonderful hobby for anyone who enjoys working with their hands. Aside from being challenging, it’s extremely rewarding to use a functional, beautiful finished product that started as nothing more but a piece of lumber. Whether you do it for yourself or to make gifts for friends and family, there are lots of tips you can use to get ahead of the game as a beginner. Huber Lumber Co. is a top lumber and building supplies provider in Cincinnati, OH, and they share their top tips for avoiding problems on some of the most common beginner projects.

Cutting Boards: Which Finish Is Best?

Since they’re functional and simple to make from lumber, cutting boards are a great project for new woodworkers. One of the most common questions is what type of finish to use. Since cutting boards will take lots of abuse from knives, you can’t avoid water absorption and visible wear over time. Simple wax or oil finishes work well because they don’t form a film, which means the finish won’t be chipped off and end up in your food.

Finding Scratches & Sander Swirls

lumberWhen you’re sanding lumber for a woodworking or refinishing project, it can be easy to miss scratches or swirly indentations from an orbital sander. If you miss any and apply your finish, it will be too late to go back. However, a special light called a “trouble light” can be held close to inspect the surface of the wood. This will cause any irregularities to cast long shadows and help you find them easily. Then, just use sandpaper of decreasing coarseness to smooth them out. This works for tables, porches, and even kitchen cabinets.

Of course, these tips are only the beginning. Before you start, you need the right kind of lumber for your project. If you’re in the Cincinnati area, Huber Lumber Co. is your one-stop shop for the building supplies you need. Whether it’s a simple cutting board or a big kitchen design project, call them at (513) 731-4035 to see if they have what you need in stock. You can also visit their website to learn more about their selection of products, and connect with them on Facebook.

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