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Your Next Hobby: Is it Woodworking?
By OnTopic | January 7, 2009
Woodworking covers a variety of processes, such as cabinetmaking, joinery, marquetry, turning, and woodcarving. Even so, each and every skilled craftsperson at some time had to learn the basic principles of marking, measuring, dimensioning, assembling and finishing. These techniques are the basis of all woodworking projects, whether they’re your profession or your hobby.
The ability to think in three dimensions is essential in order to mark up the wood and envision how one piece will fit with the other. As well, you’ll have to learn which tools will bring about the best outcome, considering the degree of accuracy called for and the attributes of the wood you’re working with.
The procedure of cutting down the wood precisely to size is known as dimensioning – a process that’s straightforward in theory but takes much repetition to hone. All except the most simple woodworking projects call for cutting and putting together an assortment of joints. Traditionally, joinery is considered to be the true test of a woodworker’s expertise, since it requires hand-eye coordination that never wavers. However, practice will help you discover the most effective means to secure one section of wood to another appealingly and inconspicuously without giving up durability.
An important addition to these basic skills is a knowledge of how wood actually performs. It’s a unique, living thing that expands and contracts in various weather conditions, particularly humidity, and this has to be taken into account by every woodworker when planning and constructing a project. There are woods that are easier to work with than others, and every piece of wood, no matter what type it is, has distinct twists and turns in its grain.
There isn’t one correct method to do anything in woodworking. The most effective method is the one that you’re most comfortable with, and balances all the variables such as how much time is required to finish the project, what woodworking tools you have available, how important it is that your project is of the highest quality, and how much enjoyment you get from the process.
Their are lots of reasons for and against using either machines or hand tools in woodworking. Some argue that hand tools enable you to get the hang of cutting and forming wood without disrupting the grain. Other experts in the field believe that you can complete a project faster by using hand tools, mostly because of the time involved in preparing to work with mechanical tools. Yet others think exactly the opposite.
With a bit of patience, the proper tools and techniques, and a good design, you could be well on your way to creating something you’ll appreciate for a long time to come.
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