Tips on How to Build Your Own Indoor Woodwork Shop

Television and radio commercials have usually been starting with something along the lines of “in these troubling times”, and, while true, they can be annoying and probably an unpleasant reminder of the not-so-cool predicament we find ourselves in. However, this pesky pandemic has changed much of our habits or even completely turned our whole lives around, new hobbies have been adopted and some of them transitioned from hobby to an actual occupation. If you’re reading this, then you know exactly what I’m talking about: woodworking. Maybe you got into it out of boredom and, luckily, you had some woodworking tools at your disposal; now you’ve grown to love it and are looking to have your own shop to make whatever your heart desires. If you’re looking for tips, you’ve come to the right place.

Air Filtration System

A person is only as good as their health, which means that the absolute first thing you should think about putting in your idealized woodworking shop is an air filtration system. Working on and with wood creates a lot of incredibly thin dust which, in addition to being a health hazard in and of itself, may contain dangerous pollutants. A shop air filtration system is primarily for safety reasons, but it also functions as a workshop facilitator since it would be pretty hard to concentrate on what you’re doing with dust everywhere.

If an air filtration system doesn’t suit you or fit within your budget, we recommend using face masks and protective glasses to avoid inhaling any major airborne debris, albeit less successfully.

Size and Layout

Working wood requires a lot of space and proper organization. To begin, the ideal size for a shop is up to debate, there’s no straight answer because every shop is different and depends on the individual needs and objectives of its owner. However, if you don’t have much space to manage, the bare minimum should be a 75 square foot room. It all depends on the number of tools you’re going to have around and their respective sizes as well as the materials, which brings us to the next point. Aside from the main workshop space, we heavily recommend having an additional, smaller room dedicated exclusively to the storage, because - and this only applies if you’re serious about this, which you are - you’re going to be moving around a lot with plenty of material. And this absolutely mandatory “moving around” we’re mentioning can only happen if you manage your space successfully. Drawing a blueprint of the room with all the tools incorporated is the ideal facilitator of space management, you should always be aware of how much wiggle room you have. Also, consider larger doors and windows than those you have at home.

Cleaning Dust

We’ve finally arrived at the fun part: cleaning! Having your workspace consistently clean is a priority, you need to make sure no dust sits on your tools for too long and especially while they’re working. Dust is a health hazard for you and your tools. So, make sure you keep everything clean from the most obscure corner to yourself. This means that you’re going to have to get rid of the dust right at its origin: the woodworking machines. To make the cleaning process easier and less dreadful in prospect, you should consider acquiring a dust collection system which you can attach to the machines so that the produced dust goes directly into the central dust collector instead of the ground or your other machines.

Lighting

Efficient working requires efficient lighting - in order to see exactly what you’re doing, not make mistakes that can be traced back to you, and, most importantly, not harm yourself in the process, you need to keep the entirety of your shop well lit. You should consider ceiling lights and individual or portable lamps that you can adjust depending on the task at hand. Everything is better if you see absolutely everything. 

Final Touches

With your new woodworking shop up and running, there’s one last thing to keep in mind: safety. Make sure you always, without exception, use protective glasses, as wood can become dangerous especially when being tampered with. Gloves may be equally important, your hands are the driving force of your woodworking, and keeping them protected will go a long way. Earmuffs are optional but still needed, its use depends entirely on the noise produced by the machines, some are loud and some are deafening. Regarding safety, the last but not less important things we recommend are: always read the instructions, be focused, practice, keep everything dry, remember to unplug machines, keep a fire extinguisher in the shop, and lastly, be confident!

From this point on, you’re ready for woodworking and woodworking is ready for you. 

That’s it from us, we hope this guide was helpful and if you need anything else, just read this article again!

Guest Post - Top 5 Most Popular Home DIY Projects

There are many different kinds of DIY home improvement projects. Some are smaller, inexpensive weekend activities while others can cost thousands of dollars and take weeks to complete.

If you’re a homeowner, chances are you’re going to consider doing a project yourself at some point in the future. When you get the itch to improve your abode, here are five of the most popular DIY projects to consider.

Paint Your Home

The most iconic home improvement project has to be painting. Whether you’re giving the outside of your home a fresh coat of stain or you’re overhauling the interior with a menagerie of new colors, painting is an easy activity for homeowners to do themselves. 

Be warned, though; the process does get a bit involved. For one thing, painting can take a very long time. If you’re going to paint a large outdoor area, consider renting a paint sprayer or even buying a small one outright. Additionally, you’ll want to factor in time to choose the right color, test it beforehand, and clean up properly afterward.

When you’re finished painting, don’t forget to store your leftover paint in an easy-access Mason jar to keep it fresh and ready for any touch-up work you may have in the future, as well.

Replace Hardware

One of the quickest home improvement projects is replacing hardware. All that is required is choosing new hardware at the store and then going around your home with a screwdriver. Pop off old handles, attach new ones, and, hey presto, you’re all set.

New hardware is a quick and easy way to spruce up a space like your kitchen or bathroom with minimal effort. Be warned, though, quality hardware can be pricey — especially when you commit to buying 10 or 20 pieces at the same time.

Address Windows and Doors

Most homeowners are aware of basic window and door care. Things like cleaning windows and maintaining window wells are important aspects of home maintenance. 

If you’re looking for a more ambitious DIY project, though, you can take things with your windows and doors a step further. For instance, you can:

• Seal up leaks with caulk and weatherstripping.

• Hang barn wood doors in your home.

• Add or replace trim.

• Paint existing door and window trimming.

• Replace old or leaky windows with easy-to-install retrofit windows.

By tending to your windows and doors you can improve both the look and functionality of your home.

Add New Flooring

Flooring is another great DIY project. There are numerous options easy for homeowners to learn on their own. This includes things like:

• Using vinyl planking.

• Laying down bathroom tiles.

• Refinishing hardwood floors.

• Installing carpet.

Regardless of the specific kind of flooring, remember to carefully calculate the square footage of the space that you’re working in. Remember to order extra flooring as well.

Improve Storage

When home improvement is discussed, it typically invokes images of kitchen remodels and additions. However, sometimes the smallest, most effective remodels can be the most effective. 

Improving your home’s storage options is a great DIY remodeling option. It gives you more space to store temporarily unneeded items and can be a great way to improve your home’s organization. A few of the most common storage DIY remodels include:

• Adding a pantry in the kitchen.

• Installing an organizer into your closet.

• Adding a medicine cabinet or cabinetry in the bathroom.

• Putting up shelves in any area of the home.

Storage is the unsung hero of a quality living space. The fact that it’s also a popular and easy DIY home project makes it that much better.

Improving Your Home on Your Own

There are many popular improvements that you can make in your own home. Anything from lighting and hardware to flooring, painting, windows, and doors can make a huge difference in your home’s overall look and feel. 

So take a look at the list above, select something particularly relevant to your home, and then have fun setting your plans in motion. Before you know it, you’ll be relaxing in your fresh, new space.

Author Bio: Noah Rue is a freelance writer.

Your Most Valuable Resources When You Begin a Home DIY Project

A DIY project can really help you spruce up your home. However, these types of projects can be a lot of work. The following resources can be quite valuable to you as you begin a home DIY project.

The Internet

You can learn all sorts of helpful things about your DIY project online. You can look at pictures of similar projects, and you can also visit online forums to read tips from others who have completed this type of project before. Pay attention to issues that others have had along the way. This will help you avoid the same problems from happening to you.

A Solid Plan

You shouldn't try to complete a home DIY project without a solid plan. Before you start, you need to have a plan as to how to complete the project and a list of the materials that you will need to purchase. By planning out your project, you can ensure that you are fully prepared for what's to come.

Your Local Hardware Store

There's a good chance that you will be spending a lot of time at your local hardware store. Because of this, it will become a valuable resource to you. Get to know the staff, and talk to them about your project. They may be able to offer you some advice, and they might be able to help you if you run into any issues. They can also special order items that you need, or they can let you know about any upcoming sales that they will be having on items that you need to purchase.

Your Knowledgeable Friends and Relatives

You may need help completing your DIY project. You'll probably find that some of your friends and relatives will be a valuable resource. They may be able to give you a hand, or they can give you a different perspective when you are struggling with certain aspects of your project.

A Good Set of Tools

If you want your DIY project to turn out well, you need to have a good set of tools. While you may be thinking about saving money by purchasing inexpensive tools, you run the risk of them breaking and not lasting long. Poorly made tools could even cause injuries. You need to invest in tools that are made to last throughout the various DIY projects that you plan to complete over the years.

If you plan on starting a DIY project, there are some resources that will prove to be valuable to you. The resources mentioned above will help you successfully complete your DIY project, even if you run into some issues along the way.

Guest Post - Top 5 necessary tools for making DIY furniture

There is nothing better than wooden furniture for making your home a very comfortable and healthy place. Woodworking is one of the most beautiful forms of art. It is something which is very creative. From building beautiful furniture to wooden craft, there is no alternative of wood. As a passionate woodworker and DIY worker I am building wooden furniture for the last 20 years. I know the important of different tools in building wooden furniture. Woodworking depends on various tools and to be a great woodworker one should must know the best use of these woodworking tools. We are going to share top 5 necessary tools for making DIY furniture.

Band saw: 

The first tool we are going to talk about is band saw. For a woodworker, a bandsaw is the most important tool in the workshop. There are so many things that you can you with a band saw. You can resaw a big chunk of wood easily with a band saw. You can slice a thin piece of wood equally with a bandsaw. You can easily cut a big piece of wood very quickly with no effort by a band saw. In woodworking, there is no compare of a band saw. For building any kind of wooden furniture, a band saw can help you like nothing else. As a woodworker, you must have a band saw in your tools collection.

Dremel: 

A dremel is a tool that not only useful for a woodworker but also for any household work. We all should have a dremel in our home. For making a hole in the wall, wood or electric board there is no alternative of a dremel.You can use dremel even in a very small and simple work in the household. So for a woodworker, dremel is a must needed tool. For making wooden furniture a dremel is another must needed tool.

Circular saw: 

Circular saw is a great woodworking tool without any doubt. Circular saw is a very powerful woodworking tool and can do a wide range of woodworking task. Circular saw is the best for cutting straight through a hard wood. Also, circular saw can cut deep compare to jigsaw. More importantly, circular saw can cut thicker material more precisely than a jigsaw. For various type of woodworking, a circular saw is one of the most important tools for a woodworker. So for making wooden furniture, you should definitely use a circular saw.

Jigsaw: 

Jigsaw is a very widely use woodworking tool for decades. Almost, every woodworker in the world use jigsaw in their various woodworking projects. Jigsaw is very ideal for complex cuts. Also, you can work in tight space with a jigsaw better than a circular saw. You can make different types of complex cuts, curves with a jigsaw. For building wooden furniture, these kind of cuts is very common. For every mini to large woodworking projects, jigsaw is one of the most favorite tools for woodworkers.

Chainsaw:

 We often underestimate chainsaw and don’t really know how capable a chainsaw is! The first thing we this as a chainsaw is, they are great tree cutting tool. You can cut tree limbs, tree vines, and tree branches and cut tree into different pieces very smoothly with a chainsaw. But chainsaw is one of the best wood carving tools and you can make beautiful design in wood with chainsaw. You can build a bear or a toy very smoothly with a chainsaw. Wood workers are using chainsaw as a carving tool for many years.

Finally, we have given a short introduction about top 5 necessary tools for making DIY furniture. But without these 5 tools, there are also some important woodworking tools for making wooden furniture. Like reciprocating saw, miter saw, table saw etc. Whichever tool you are using for woodworking, you must need to know the use of the tool properly. Because, these power tools can be very dangerous sometimes. So take proper precision before using these tools. Must follow the using manuals and do a proper research on using the power tool.

Author Bio:

John G. Anderson is a carpenter and woodworker for many years. He also owns a workshop. He has been dealing with hand and power tools for more than decades. He shares his woodworking experiences through https://sawplanet.com/ . He regularly writes for this blog. His long woodworking experience makes him a very wise DIY worker.