Being a woodworker is a physically tasking job, and mastering different skills for beautiful results is not easy. Whether you are a beginner or expert, there is always something to learn or a new trick for efficient working. Woodworking is not all about hard work but also intelligent work. You can turn a physically tasking occupation into an enjoyable one with the right tips and tricks.
1. Add meditation to your working process
One thing that can turn a tedious activity into a comforting one is relaxation. In the haste to quickly finish a project or take care of other activities, most woodworkers forget to take care of themselves. Your physical and mental health is important, so you should incorporate meditation into your woodwork. That way, you will not be burning time; you will be relaxing your mind and still being productive. You achieve this by clearing your mind of all distractions and meditating on the task at hand. It helps you focus and get creative.
2. Advancement
Woodworking is rewarding when you get a perfect outcome. However, you won’t get that outcome by remaining at your current level. The world is advancing, and there are new approaches to performing tasks. If you dwell on your old knowledge, you will become obsolete. You can look at exciting woodwork designs on Woodwork Mag and see the need to improve your knowledge and skills to stay relevant. This way, your clients can always expect something fresh when they hire you.
3. Plan your work and practice
No matter your level of expertise, poor planning will result in a bad outcome. Planning your work helps you run each project smoothly. Before you start any task, make a list of all the necessary materials, tools, and budgets. Then, allocate achievable time to each project so you won’t waste resources and time on any task.
No man is above mistake or failure. If you’ve defaulted on a project, analyze all your working processes, pick out the areas of errors and work on them.
4. Use proper tools
For any woodwork, proper tools are vital to an efficient and effective working process. Sometimes, you might get tempted to improvise when you can find a tool; don’t do that because it might not be safe, and it might affect your result. Always ensure you have all the needed tools before you start a project. There are two categories of tools that are important to woodworkers; hand tools and power tools. Hand tools are becoming less common because power tools are faster and easier to use. Power tools are suitable for the non-creative aspect of woodwork, but for fine-tuned and creative results, hand tools will help. Don’t forget the advantage of hand tools because of technology.
5. Invest in top-quality equipment
Woodwork is not an occupation that you can be purchasing bargain bin equipment, except you want to get frustrated. You could be losing confidence in your woodwork abilities and not know where you’ve gotten it wrong; it is time to check your equipment. If you are using cheap or old and blunt equipment, you won’t get the proper output. If you have a lean budget, you can opt for good quality second-hand woodworking equipment.
6. Have a clean, orderly, and well-lit workspace
One way to achieve efficiency in your workplace is to get rid of clutters. A wood workspace accumulates dirt fast; you have to make a conscious effort to keep it clean and orderly, as a disorderly workspace can negatively affect productivity. A proper way to constantly declutter your workspace is by arranging daily tools close to your reach. If you dump those tools anywhere, you’ll end up scattering your workspace to retrieve them.
Good lighting helps you view your work well and make precise touches. Your workspace should be properly lit so you can get a good angle of your work without casting shadows. You can equip the space with overhead light, focused light, and on-tool lights. You can also paint your walls and ceiling to help diffuse the light.
7. Proper joinery
Joining wood together is beyond having an aesthetically pleasing outlook but having durable furniture. There are many ways to join woods, but the important detail is how well the wood holds up over time. Joinery is a skill every woodworker should constantly develop. There are many products, especially glues, for joining. Unfortunately, you can’t just take every advertised product; some might not be healthy for the wood, and it can affect its durability.
8. Understand your wood moisture
The moisture content is necessary because a wood too dry can result in the final product swelling or cracking. Moist wood can result in the final product shrinking. You can use a wood moisture app to determine the moisture content of the wood.
These tips and tricks will help you achieve efficiency, improve your productivity, and work easier and faster. In addition, following them will give you a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction irrespective of your expertise level.
