HINTS AND TIPS

How to stop board or wood from splitting when driving nails into it
1. To reduce splitting when driving nails near the end of the board, blunt the nail slightly before driving it into the wood. This makes the nail spread the wood instead of splitting it.
2. To prevent the wood from splitting, drill a pilot hole in the wood to guide a screw. Use a drill bit that is slightly narrower than the width of the screw thread.

Choosing the correct length of a screw
A screw should be three times as long as the thickness of the wood if it is to secure.

Tips on staining and varnishing
Before you stain a workpiece, make a test strip using a scrap of the same wood. Paint the test strip with one coat of stain; allow to dry; then paint the strip with a second coat leaving a small section of the single coat exposed for comparison. If necessary apply a third application for comparison and leave to dry thoroughly. Finally, apply a coat of clear varnish along one half of the test strip to see how it affects each coat of stain.

Do not brush back over a coat of varnish once it has begun to set, or you will leave permanent brush marks. Should this happen, leave the varnish to harden overnight, and then rub out the brush mark with silicon-carbide paper and water.

Storing sandpaper
Wrap sheets of sandpaper in plastic to keep them dry while being stored.

Sanding tips
When sanding end grain, rub your finger along the surface of end grain. It will feel rough in one direction and relatively smooth in another. Sand in the smooth direction for a superior finish.
Sanding with a power sander saves time especially when smoothing large flat areas, but for a superior finish, give the wood at least one final sanding by hand.

Gluing joints
When gluing joints, always remove the excess adhesive from the surface, using a warm damp cloth. If you let it set, the glue seals the wood and will show as pale patches after staining or polishing. If the glue has hardened remove with a scraper before applying stain or varnish etc.

It is always a good idea to have a variety of clamps in your workshop. Clamps provide an extra hand when you want to assemble awkward components or large workpieces.

Dent in workpiece
Should you accidentally dent a workpiece, lay a damp cloth over the affected area and apply the tip of a heated soldering iron. The heat generates steam, which causes the wood fibres to swell, lifting the dented section flush with the surrounding surface. Allow the wood to dry before sanding.

Trimming veneer boards
When trimming surplus veneer, use a sharp knife and cut across the grain from the corners towards the centre which will prevent splitting the veneer.

Storing boards
To save space store boards on edge. Make a rack to keep the edges clear off the floor and support the boards evenly at a slight angle.

Storing blades
Store non-polytetrafluoreothylene (PTFE) - coated blades with a light coating of acid-free grease or oil when in long term storage and clean them before using again.

Planning your design
It is a good idea to plan a design in detail on paper and even try it out in three dimensions or a mock up made from scraps. This way you will know whether the project is as you imagined.

Cutting Lists
Before ordering materials from your timber supplier, make sure you supply him with a cutting list which specifies material to be used as well as the length, width and thickness and quantity of every component in the workpiece. Make sure the supplier is aware that the list specifies finished sizes so they can allow for minimum wastage. Timbercity offers this value added service.

SAFETY HINTS

* Keep thinners and wood finishes locked away from children. Seek medical advice immediately should a child swallow any such products.

* Do not smoke whilst applying wood finishes.

* Provide adequate ventilation when applying wood finishes. Do not spray wood finishes unless you have the correct extraction facilities or a separate spray booth.

* Most wood finishing materials are flammable and should be stored in a separate building away from your workshop and house.

* Wear protective gloves when applying wood stains. Never clean your hands with thinners.

* If you should accidentally splash a wood finish in your eyes, flush immediately with water and consult a doctor.

Timbercity does not take any responsibility for harm or injury caused as a result of the aforementioned information provided.

Sources: www.acehardware.com and www.woodworkingtips.com