Woodworking Tips and Techniques

Eye Protection

• The No. 1 safety tip when working with wood is always to wear eye protection. Because most woodworking requires high-speed power equipment to cut wood, flying objects are quite common. Slivers of wood flying at high speed are very dangerous, especially if they strike the eye area. For any woodworking project, wearing standard eye protection is a must.

Cutting

• The most basic and common technique for woodworking is to use a cutting tool, with the most basic cutting tool being a saw. Handsaws and power saws are use often, and the most common power saw used by woodworkers is a table saw, which can be used to make a variety of cuts, including angles and bevels.

Joining

• Next to cutting, the ability to join separate pieces of wood is the most important technique in woodworking. Joining wood can be as simple as nailing pieces together. Using wood screws is another basic technique. The more advanced the woodworker, the more advanced the techniques used to join wood. These more complex techniques include dovetail joints and butt joints.

Finishing

• The final step in most woodworking projects is to finish the wood. This is most often completed by applying some sort of wood finish, whether it be stain, varnish or paint. These finish techniques not only protect the wood from expose to the elements over the years but also add beauty to the finished wood product.