by Paul Cameron
When you take up woodworking, you actually need to learn a number of different skills, like wood carving, joinery, turning, marquetry and cabinet making. Nevertheless, all expert craftspeople have had to learn the fundamental techniques 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. Also, you need to figure out which tools will produce the best final result, taking into consideration the precision required and the attributes of the wood.
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. Long considered to be a test of a woodworker's skill, joinery requires unwavering hand-eye coordination. 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.
Knowing how wood actually performs is a key component of these basic abilities. 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.
In woodworking, there isn't just one right way to do things. The best method is the one that suits you the most, and strikes a balance between the time required to complete the project, the woodworking tools at hand, the satisfaction you receive from the activity and the desired quality of the finished product.
There are pros and cons for using either hand tools or machines for woodworking. Some argue that hand tools enable you to get the hang of cutting and forming wood without disrupting the grain. Other woodworking experts claim that it's often possible to finish a project in less time using hand tools due to the preparation involved in using 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.
About the Author:
DIY Woodworking Advice is a great source of information on woodworking tools, equipment, classes, plans, projects, and more.
Post Footer automatically generated by Add Post Footer Plugin for wordpress.
Tags:
hobbies,
hobby,
Woodworking
December 30 2008 | Woodworking | No Comments »
by Keith Markensen
When you're planning the landscape of your yard or garden, consider adding a set of steps. You can use anything from round-cut logs to concrete, brick, or stone to create the look you want. Each material varies in difficulty, and also in the style the stairs will add to your landscape.
When planning the size of your steps, try to make them similar to indoor steps, particularly if they are in an area where you will use them often. The tread should measure about 10 inches from front to back, and each should rise about 7 and a half inches. Make sure that the treads are a little lower in the front of the step than in the back, or rain water may collect in your steps.
If you are using anything other than round logs to make your steps, be sure they have a good foundation. It should be in the ground about 6 inches below the frost line to make the steps stable.
Although concrete may not be the most attractive material for garden steps, it is often used. To make concrete steps, first you'll need a form for pouring the concrete. These wooden boxes should be placed on top of each other, forming your stairway. Mix 1 part Portland cement, 3 parts sand, and 6 parts gravel, and then pour the cement into the form. The treads should be made level using the flat edge of a board.
Another way to make concrete steps is by using pre-formed concrete blocks. While you'll still need a foundation, it is much easier to build a stairway from concrete blocks. Make sure that you bond the blocks together well. You may also want to consider coating the stairway with a thin layer of concrete to obtain a good appearance. Brick steps are made in the same way as concrete blocks, although they do require a little more masonry skill due to the many joints.
The main difficulty of constructing stone steps is finding the stone. While you may be fortunate enough to have stones available on your property or some stones left when you had the chance to work on patio landscaping, otherwise you'll need to purchase them. This can make them an expensive choice, although they are also a very attractive and rustic way of building steps. If your stones are very large, you won't need any masonry bonding. If the steps are freestanding, you'll need to use mortar.
Wooden rounds cut from logs make beautiful steps, and they are easy to construct. Just set the bottom round into the earth. The next one should placed so that it partially covers the bottom log, leaving a riser. Fill in the ground under the upper round, and then repeat this step until your stairway is complete. This is also an excellent solution for a long slope that is slightly too steep for just a path. Logs can be set into the earth to provide occasional steps along the way.
About the Author:
More knowledge, more power, more success when you better understand the subject of
stone patio landscaping. Visit our evergrowing library at http://www.plant-care.com/1543-patio-landscaping.html.
Post Footer automatically generated by Add Post Footer Plugin for wordpress.
Tags:
garden,
Home Improvement,
landscape,
patio,
steps,
yard
December 29 2008 | Home Improvement | No Comments »