Essential Woodworking Tips Make Projects Easy & Fun

So, you like the look of some of the projects on this site, but you don’t know where to begin. Or maybe you’ve taken on a couple of pallet projects of your own (well done!) and you’d like a few nuggets of wisdom to carry with you to your next job. Either way, refreshing your woodworking tips are always a good idea. Are you ready? Good, let’s go!

One Of The Most Important Safety Tips: Put Safety First!

If you take nothing else away from this article, please, please, please remember that your safety – and the safety of anyone else near you – is paramount. So, be sure to put on eye protection if you’re handling something like a chop saw (which is a lot of fun, by the way). The last thing you want is for a wood chip to fly into your eye. Ouch!

If you like listening to music or your TV, follow these woodworking tips & protect your hearing!

Hearing protection is also a must when using woodworking power tools. WHAT? WHAT? That’s right; I said HEARING PROTECTION. If you’re using a lathe, a face shield can even be a good idea. It’s also very important to use respiratory protection when doing something like sanding. This way, you’ll protect your lungs from all that dust. When spraying paint or varnish, a respirator should be used to guard against chemicals.

Please ALWAYS use personal protective wear, including good-quality safety glasses (your regular prescription glasses and regular sunglasses are NOT sufficient!), an N95 respiratory mask to stop wood dust (some are also dual-purpose for simple varnishing and painting jobs!), and good safety shoes. There are many styles of shoes with steel-toe inserts, so you’ll be able to find one that is comfortable for you. A comfortable, heavy-duty apron can protect your clothing, and provide handy pockets! If you’re wearing hearing protection, get one that is MP3/Bluetooth/Radio-equipped to make you feel like dancing while working! If you do a lot of painting, varnishing, etc., particularly in an enclosed space, be sure to use a good-quality respirator designed for the task with disposable filters!

Dress the Part: Common Sense Woodworking Tips!

Don’t forget sunblock, a comfortable, lightweight hat, or even UV-blocking shirts designed to protect you from excessive sun exposure. Remember to apply sunscreen to your ears, as baseball caps don’t offer protection for those delicate areas.

Your clothing has to be appropriate for what you’re doing. You should avoid anything loose-fitting because sleeves or strings could quickly become entangled in power tools. This safety concern is why many woodworkers choose to wear aprons. Plus, you usually get a few handy pockets in an apron that you can use to store tools, pencils, woodworking plans, and even a candy bar or two.

You might also find that you have a skin allergy and for this reason, you could be better off wearing long sleeves when you work with certain types of wood (see what wood are pallets made from). It can also be a good idea to get yourself a pair of steel-toed boots, which can protect you if anything heavy (a tool or even a pallet) should fall on those tootsies.

Use the Sharpest Tools in the Shed: One Of Those Woodworking Tips That’s Frequently Forgotten!

It’s time to talk tools. If you’re cutting, chopping, sawing or chiseling, then chances are that you’ll be relying on the contents of your toolbox. And what’s the one thing you don’t want? Dull tools. They could make your job harder and even be dangerous, as dull blades can slip out of position easily. So, sharpen your tools whenever possible and look forward to safe, efficient projects. There are many YouTube videos available, as well as numerous specialty sharpening implements available. Specialty woodworking stores sometimes offer blade sharpening as well.

Finally, FUN Woodworking Tips – Think Big!

Upscaling pallets is fun and rewarding by itself. If you ever need extra inspiration, think about why you’re doing it. Is it because you want to help the environment? Or just because you love making things? Or maybe there’s someone in your family (a little girl or boy) who would benefit from your brilliant, straight-from-the-heart creation? Once you’ve found the inspiration, it’s easy to see the motivation. You might even want to upcycle pallets to sell them worldwide because these days it’s easier than ever to deliver parcels internationally. Your own eco-friendly business? Now that’s motivation!

Ready to get some inspiration? Check-out our 7 must-follow sources for free woodworking plans!

You don’t have to have a lot of fancy power tools. Be sure that the tools you have are the best quality your budget allows. Don’t forget about yard sales, swap meets, 1001Pallets pallets for sale, and Craigslist for high-quality tools priced to make you smile!

The Smallest Of My Woodworking Tips: Don’t Forget The Details!

Woodworking may start with a flash of inspiration, but really, it’s all about the details. So, this final piece of advice is for you to keep your eyes close to the grain. Put as much love and care as you can into every palette you rejuvenate. Invest your time and the rewards will be great. Enjoy!