Tips and Tricks to building furniture.
Are you looking at picking up some tools and creating your own DIY furniture? While it may seem daunting at first, with a little practice and the right equipment, building your own pieces can save you a significant amount of money. You can create one of a kind pieces and no longer have to worry about heading to the shops when you need something! We’ll be discussing some tips and tricks to help you build your own furniture.
If you’re not experienced in DIY projects, it’s always best to start small and work your way up. Try and find an easy project with a tutorial that is simple to follow. You also want to find materials that are cheap and easy to work with, so that you can learn without fear of making mistakes. You might start off building your own spice rack, and work your way up to a dining room table.
No matter what the project, measuring is vital in ensuring that everything is in proportion. Keep a notepad with you at all times, and mark off points with a pencil. Make sure you measure twice before making any final cuts! The last thing you want to do is waste expensive timber as you’ve got the wrong measurements!
Depending on the project, you want to make sure you choose the right timber. If you’re building a skateboard ramp, try building with plywood. If you’re building a dresser, try using oak or pine. There are so many options, and each wood has its own unique look and feel. Remember, there is always the option of staining, so don’t choose something on color alone.
Sanding is tiresome, and many of us wish we could just skip the process altogether. However, it’s probably the most important of the process, so no matter the project, you must take time to ensure the surface is prepared. Sanding surfaces ensures that the paint can stick to your furniture and removes any rough edges.
We are all human, and sometimes we make mistakes! If you’re looking at building furniture, it’s essential you learn the techniques to hide imperfections. The are many common woodworking mistakes, so try and read up as much as possible before you begin. Whether it be learning how to remove a dent, or how to get rid of any unwanted glue, there’s always a way to fix something.
While it may seem disheartening at first, it’s important to remember that you will only get better. Just like learning any new skill, practice is what makes perfect! If you’re still skeptical, document your work right from the first project to the tenth! You’ll be shocked at the changes!
While there might seem like a lot to remember, building your own furniture is one of the most rewarding tasks, and you can really see your own work come to life. If you’re still worried, try searching for some videos online to help, or you could even consider taking some classes. You’ll be building everything in sight before you know it!
Patti Jo Rosenthal chats about her role as Manager of K-12 STEM Education Programs at ASME where she drives nationally scaled STEM education initiatives, building pathways that foster equitable access to engineering education assets and fosters curiosity vital to “thinking like an engineer.”