Woodworking Projects

Top Woodworking Gift Ideas

There is possibly no better saying than, "Treasured are the gifts from the heart." How do you show someone that you truly care for them? You put your thoughts, time, energy, and most of all your love into a handmade gift. Homemade woodworked items are an excellent choice as they can be tailor-made to please the recipient you have in mind. Remember to begin building your project at least 2 months prior to the occasion in order to ensure that you will be finished in time. Here are some great woodworking gift ideas:

Toys – Surprise a child with a handmade classic wooden toy from the "good old days". They are sturdier, more durable than many modern plasticized toys on the market today. You can even build a collector's item such as an antique locomotive or a pony rocker for an adult who remembers and loves those old classics.

Baby Items – Do you have a new baby in the family, or know friends or relatives who have just welcomed a newborn? Creating a special baby keepsake can greatly enhance that joyful event. Make a memory box for the parents to safe-keep treasured moments of the baby's life, or woodwork a picture frame with a special event engraved on it such as "Baby's First Christmas" or "Baby's First Birthday." More advanced woodworkers can make a lightweight mobile or a beautiful piece of baby furniture for the nursery.

Household Items – There are a variety of common and not so common household items that you can make for just about anyone. A unique and personalized mailbox would provide a unique accent to any home. Outdoor decorations for the garden such as flower boxes and wooden artwork are fantastic gifts. For inside the home, try making a breadbox or a mail holder. An encasement for a country calendar adds warmth to any room.

Holiday Items – There are literally endless gift ideas for the holidays. Some of the more unique ones include making a pressboard cutout snowman to stick outside when Christmas is green, or a creepy but wonderful coffin big enough to place a pop out Dracula that will scare those little monsters at Halloween.

Wood Staining Tips: Brush up on your Technique

Wood furniture has a rustic, down-to-earth feel that can add personality to any room. If you have a piece that needs a new look, wood staining is an easy and inexpensive way to not only enhance its appearance, but also turn it into one-of-a-kind. The best part is that you do not have to be Van Gogh or Bob Villa to produce stained pieces that are attractive. With some simple wood staining tips and a steady hand, anyone can transform a tired-looking wooden table, chair or desk into a beautiful piece of furniture that will add flair to the room.

Before you Begin
Choose an area that allows ample space to work and provides good ventilation. Working outside is ideal as clean-up of sawdust is simple and the paint odor is not overwhelming. If you choose to work indoors, lay down a plastic tarp and several layers of newspaper to protect your floors from paint splatters and drips. You may want to elevate your piece on blocks of wood so that the legs will be easily accessible. Before opening the can of stain, shake it gently to mix the contents. With a paint stick, stir again, and then pour about a half-inch into a small paint tray or jar, recovering the can after pouring.

Tools Needed

• Sandpaper
• Foam paintbrush (a denser foam is recommended with a sturdy, plastic handle)
• Damp and dry rags that are lint-free
• Can of stain

Prepare the wooden surface by sanding it with fine grit sandpaper to make sure it is smooth and ready to stain. Thereafter, use a damp cloth to completely remove all the dust. It is most important that the piece be thoroughly cleaned after sanding in order for the stain to apply on smoothly and evenly. You do not want the finished product to be bumpy and rough to the touch. Follow up by wiping it down with a dry, lint-free cloth.

Wood Staining Techniques
A valuable wood staining tip is to wet the piece slightly with a clean paintbrush after sanding. This will allow the stain to be distributed evenly. Load up your brush with stain and apply using long, even brushstrokes. To achieve a softer look, gently wipe the stained area with a clean rag. To avoid dark spots, try not to dab with the brush and refrain from overlapping any of the strokes. If dark spots do occur, use a clean, lint-free cloth to lightly blend the area.

When the task is completed, let the piece dry for at least 24 hours. Thereafter, check for bumps or imperfections, give the piece a light sanding, wipe thoroughly, and apply a second coat of stain. When the second coat is completely dry, you can apply the varnish. Always be sure to use the same base of varnish as your stain, either oil or water-based. This is one of the more cardinal wood staining tips to observe; oil and water do not mix! Apply the varnish with the same long, even strokes that were used for the stain and allow the piece to dry completely before touching.

Maintenance
Every wooden surface, regardless of which wood staining techniques were used, needs to be maintained to keep its beautiful finish. Some stained surfaces, such as patio furniture and wooden decks, may need to be retreated every 2-3 years as they are subjected to weather conditions. In any case, an annual inspection of treated wooden surfaces is recommended.

Restoring Antique Furniture To Its Original Glory

Antique furniture can carry significant value for its owner. The television show ‘Antiques Roadshow’ has taught us that seemingly worthless pieces of furniture can actually hold much more than just memories. It has also taught us that a bad refurnishing or restoration job can diminish its value. With the exception of century-old pieces, for which you should seek the advice of a professional, restoring antique furniture can be not only a relaxing hobby, but also a well-paying one. Before undertaking a furniture restoration project, do some research on the item in mind. Here are some tips on restoring antique furniture.

Remove the hardware
Restoring antique furniture is easier to accomplish if you start by removing the hardware. It should be done carefully so as not to damage the piece. Generally, once the hardware is removed from old furniture, it leaves a little ridge on the finish. This often-crusty ridge is composed of a buildup of wax, polish and dust, and can be quite stubborn to eliminate; caution is advised.

Clean and polish
Start with a thorough inspection of the piece to be restored. Check inside corners, carvings, moldings and the hardware areas. Once you have decided that it is in fairly good shape, and have assessed where the worst build-up is located, you can begin. When it comes to cleaning and polishing antique furniture, have several tools handy, and use common sense to determine which item is best for the task at hand.

• Commercial furniture cleaner
• 0000 steel wool (very fine grade)
• A small toothbrush, for those hard-to-reach places
• A sharpened pencil-size dowel, for corners and crevasses
• A soft cloth
• Paper towels
• Furniture polish

Commercial products are usually specific in their use, and will work well if you follow the recommendations and instructions on the label. You should know the material of the antique item you are restoring, and choose your product accordingly. Using the wrong type of product may actually do more damage than good. When in doubt, consult a professional.

A bit at a time
Because restoring antique furniture requires delicate and precise work, it is best to focus on a small area at a time. Once you have thoroughly cleaned a small surface, expand the area until you have covered the entire piece. Be sure to double check your work in order to avoid inconsistencies.

A note about temperature
The temperature in your home can greatly affect the life span of your furniture. Excessively dry conditions can cause furniture to dry out and shrink, while excessively damp conditions can cause mold growth and even rot. Keep your pieces in a stable environment where the temperature and relative humidity do not fluctuate dramatically. High intensity light (natural or artificial) can also damage furniture, sometimes causing it to discolor; use blinds or curtains to reduce light levels.

General care tips for antique furniture

• Avoid placing in front of a window or direct sunlight.
• Avoid placing close to air conditioning and heating vents.
• Avoid placing near fireplaces and stoves.
• Blot up spills immediately.
• Dust regularly using a lint free cloth.

Handle with care
Restoring antique furniture is a meticulous and highly specialized undertaking. If the piece appears to be quite old and you are uncertain of its value, be savvy and contact a qualified furniture restorer. Treat antique furniture with care as it is rare!

• Previous Posts:

• Top Woodworking Gift Ideas
• Wood Staining Tips: Brush up on your Technique
• Restoring Antique Furniture To Its Original Glory
• Finishing Touches To Home Renovations Using Easy Crown Moldings
• Do-It-Yourself Woodwork Projects

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