Woodworking is a fun, creative, and constructive way to pass the time. While many people would like to get into it, they are often too intimidated to dive in. However, woodworking for beginners is very accessible. The best place to start is by buying the correct hand tools and electrical supplies. 

Hand Tools Needed for Beginners

Stop by your local hardware store to pick up the essentials. Your set should include a power drill and a nail gun to assist in combining various pieces of wood. You should also buy an electric sander to polish the surface before staining or painting the wood. Get a complete set of saws, including a circular saw, jigsaw, and table saw, so that you can perform different types of cuts.

How to Pick the Best Lumber

Once you have these hand tools, the next step is purchasing the lumber. As a beginner, it’s beneficial to know what to look for when buying your materials. The perfect piece of wood is largely dependent on what type of project you are planning on. A small birdhouse, for example, benefits from softwood like pine because it is lightweight and easy to work with. A new piece of furniture is best suited with a hardwood like oak. If you’re not quite sure what you are going to build yet, there are some primary considerations to keep in mind.

First, decide whether you would like hardwood or softwood. Then check the wood’s end grain to monitor for stability before searching for defects like knotting or bowing. Finally, pick a piece that is the size you need for your project.

How to Properly Sand

Another thing you need to know for a woodworking project is how to sand the wood down. Before beginning the project, wear down the lumber’s top rough coat. This will make it easier to put the final touches once it is finished. At this stage, use the electrical sander hand tool, sanding in the same direction as the grain of the wood. Once you have a finished product, use a piece of sandpaper to prepare the surface of the wood for the paint or stain.

 

If you’re ready to start a new woodworking hobby, get all of the supplies you need at Berthiaume’s Neversink Lumber Co. Inc. in Port Jervis, NY. For the past 60 years, they’ve been the area’s premier provider of home improvement supplies, and have all of the hand tools you’ll need to master the craft. For more information, call (845) 856-5161 or see their services online.