So you now have all the basic woodworking equipment ready. What next? Of course, you’d be excited to start using them right away. But before you jump into any project, read through this article to learn how to use equipment properly.

There are just a few basic woodworking equipment. A handsaw is basically for cutting wood to prepare it for further processing. Then you have the chisel, which is used to carve through wood. Chisels often come in sets, where different blades create different textures and patterns. Special hammers keep chisels in top shape, while basic ones are used to drive or extract nails. Furthermore, drills are used to create holes in wood. Finally, sandpaper is for finalizing wooden surfaces.

Handsaw

When cutting a large piece of timber, place the saw vertically to make the first cut and draw it up to your direction. Raise the saw and do the same process again to get just the right ridge. This will ensure that you have a cleaner and steadier cut afterwards. Finally, level the blade and cut through the wood with a back and forth motion.

Saw at an angle (about 25 to 35 degrees) to prevent splintering below a plank. Keep your head straight, so that the cut itself will stay straight. When you’re almost at the end of the wood, apply less pressure.

You should generally avoid applying too much pressure while sawing. If you let the weight of the saw do part of the job, you’ll save more of your energy. You should also try to make use of the saw’s entire length for more efficient cutting.

Chisel

To use a chisel properly, first use the appropriate hammer. A mallet the best woodworking equipment for use with chisels, since its impact is less concentrated. If you use a regular hammer, it will damage your chisel’s handle.

Next, make sure that the chisel is sharp and in good condition. If it’s blunt or chipped, you may have to apply more pressure to carve out wood. The unnecessary pressure can accidentally drive the blade elsewhere and cause physical injury. Sharpen your tools every now and then.

Hammer

First, hold the woodworking equipment correctly. If you’re a beginner, you might be more comfortable holding the handle midway. This way you’re able to aim properly. However, you may practice firmly holding the end of the handle. This way, the weight of the hammer’s head will do most of the job and save you more time and energy.

When hitting a surface, do it squarely. Make sure not to hammer sideways and never hold the head will hammering. Position your whole body so that you comfortably use your arm and elbow to hammer. Don’t develop the habit of using your wrist, since this can cause physical damage and extreme soreness. Work only on hard surfaces and make sure there are no obstacles nearby.

Sandpaper

Start sanding with a coarser grain. Keep changing the grade to a finer one until the surface is smooth enough for you. If you use very fine grain against a very chunky surface, it will take you forever and leave you only with lumps. Apply just enough pressure to prevent wearing out the sandpaper and damaging the wood’s surface (i.e.: potholes). It is best to sand in the same direction on wooden surfaces to prevent a rough finish.

When it comes to using woodworking equipment, practice makes perfect. Using your equipment properly will extend their lifespan and prevent accidents. This means more savings and safety for you.