Share your craft projectsMake new craft buddiesAsk craft questionsBlog your craft journey
How to Prepare for a Woodworking Project
Did you know that there are more than 3,000 woodworkers in the United States? Those are woodworkers who work in the industry itself. But what about someone like you who does DIY woodwork on the side?
You may love every second of it, but are not sure the best way to go about woodworking. If you want to start a woodworking project, you can follow the steps below to make it as easy as possible.
And when you're done, you could even consider selling your woodwork!
Start With Thinking About the Function
When you start a wood-crafting project, you have to know what you are creating the DIY woodwork for.
Think to yourself: What am I going to use this for? What is the function of this piece?
For instance, you may be building a cabinet. You need to know the function you want it to use before you start the woodworking project. If it's a coffee table, how big does it need to be, and what shape will it be?
Or, you may be creating a little tray to place on your wife's bed for decor. You'll have to think about what you want this to look like, and what vision she may have as well.
This step is crucial because it will help you define what you need to create before you get started. Then, as you move forward, you have a clear vision of what you need to do.
Determine the Materials That You Need
Once you know what you are creating with your DIY woodwork, you can figure out what type of materials you need to get this done.
You need to make sure you get the right parts such as:
The process techniques for the specific type of materials that you are using
The right wood
Each project is going to require something different, so it's important to keep this in mind when thinking about what you need when you start the project. This will reduce your frustration during the project as well as needing to stop to go get different materials (which could take longer than just a store trip - especially if it's not in stock!).
Determining the Specific Tools You Will Need
In addition to the materials, you also need to know what type of tools you need for your specific project as this can differ from one project to the next.
For instance, you need to know what type of router bits to go with as well as the types of cutters you need.
This is important when it comes to different cuts you'll have to make like for tables and legs. Planning this beforehand will keep your project running smoothly during the entire duration when it comes to the tools that you need.
Create Modifications As You Need Them
As you get started on this project, even if you have the right tools and materials, you may still run into a few roadblocks that can slow you down. When this happens, instead of starting over or giving up, you'll just need to hit the drawing board to determine what exactly you need to modify.
As long as you can look back at your original drawings and plans, you can probably figure out what you need to clarify to make the right modifications for the project.
When you make these modifications, they should only be slight. You shouldn't have to worry about new cutters or tools. Instead, you may have to just modify different cuts with their length or depth or change one connecting piece or another.
Determine Other Supplies for the End of the Project
You do not need to determine the finishers at the beginning of the project, although you may want to. If you don't want to, that's okay, too! You can figure it out during or at the end of the process.
You'll just want to make sure you can get easy access to what you need. You may want to consider looking into the following for your other needed supplies:
Finishes like hand-applied oil, brush varnishes, or spray-on lacquer
Different types of glues or fillers that you may need for other parts of the project
As you can see, this isn't necessary to begin with, but you'll want it to be available when it comes time for you to use it!
Assess Your Project
When you are done with the project, congrats! You have come such a long way. Now, to make the entire process easier for next time, you can assess the project to figure out how to go about it similarly or differently the next time.
To do this, you should jot down the difficulties that you had this time around. Think about what would've made the process easier, what you would've done differently, and what went well. Then, use this the next time you do a project.
Steps for Your Next Woodworking Project
When it comes to a woodworking project, you need to make sure that you follow some steps to make the process as easy as it can be for you.
You'll want to figure out your materials before you start as well as the tools that you need. During the project, you'll have a few modifications you need to make. These don't have to be drastic, just enough to make the project work as you want it to!
After all is said and done, you'll want to take note of what went well and what you would change for next time.
If you want to start selling your crafts online, check out our site at Craftisian Authentic Craft! You can show off your wood-crafting to everyone!
.jpeg)
