Who Else Wants Quick And Easy Blueprints To Make Just About Anything Out Of Wood by Jimmy Cox

This article gives some information for people just starting out in woodworking, whether at home or in the workplace.

Whether you are in the workplace or simply want to take up woodworking as a hobby, there are a few basic things that you need to be aware of. Making a drawing of the task you are about to undertake is a good idea. You then need to make a list of the materials and the type of wood that you require and either purchase these or if you are at work give it to the lumberman to fill. When you do this be very precise in your specifications.

Laying out Your Wood or Rough Stock

To begin with you will need the following:

- Rule
- Try square or steel square
- A straightedge
- A pencil.

Directions:

Measure off and mark the length of the piece required; measure off near the end the width wanted; at what is to become the other end of the piece, mark off the width as before. With the straightedge, connect these points and draw a line through them

To do this the pencil is held against the end of the rule and the whole is pulled toward the worker. The thumbnail of the left hand held on the rule at the desired point acts as a gauge head.

When it comes to cutting your wood, use a hand saw and light easy strokes to begin with, do not put too much pressure on the wood at this point. Then gradually increase the length of your stroke until it is the full arm length. When you are near the end of a cut, lessen the arm length and ease back on the pressure again.

Planning

Wood has to be planed. Use a jack plane to take off any rough surface, later a smooth plane will be needed to smooth out previously straightened edges.

Squaring up

Squaring up is leveling up. A level surface is one in which all points lie in the same plane. To level a surface, therefore, means to plane off the high places. There are several ways of testing a surface to find whether it is true (straight) or not. An experienced mechanic would probably find the eye sighting test sufficient. This consists in closing one eye and sighting with the other along the length of the piece for straightness. A beginner will find it advisable to use the following test, in addition, until his eye has become trained in detecting inaccuracies. This test is used by mechanics when great accuracy is desired. It consists in testing for wind by means of winding sticks and in testing for straightness of length and width by means of a straightedge. Once you have learned these basic things, you are ready to start making the items that you want.

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