It pays to know some basic carpentry, so in case your home needs some minor repairs, you can do it yourself and you can save money. Below are some basic lessons on how to do woodwork.

Tools

You don’t need expensive tools to do the job. For as long as you know how to go about it, you can be fine with inexpensive tools. For a beginner, buy the following from a hardware store: a pencil, a hammer, a saw, measuring tape, and a bench.

Measuring

In carpentry, the first thing you have to learn is to measure accurately. This is very important so as not to waste wood because of wrong length or width. Be careful when reading the measuring tape accurately, taking note of the inches and the fractions, as well.

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Marking

Marking is as important as measuring. If you need to cut a board 68 ¾ inches long, hook the measuring tape on one end and run it down at 68 ¾ inches, and then with the use of a pencil, mark the board with a big V whose two legs diverge from the exact point. The big V is referred to as the ‘crow’s feet’ and it’s a way of marking more accurately with a pencil rather than marking the board with a straight line.

Cutting

Once you’ve accurately measured and marked the board, the next step in carpentry is cutting. You can either use a hand saw or a circular saw. A hand saw is less popular because it takes more time to cut the wood or the board. You should concentrate on keeping it straight. Begin by holding it at a 45 degree angle and then start sawing the wood with a steady motion. You can avoid the board from moving by securing it with your other knee. A circular saw is easier to use because it’s powered by electricity.

As a beginner, you may have a difficult time cutting the board straight. Be patient, and soon you’ll learn the tricks to cut it along the markings.

Nailing

The next step in carpentry is nailing. The first thing is to choose a hammer that’s very comfortable to you. Don’t buy a hammer that’s too light or too heavy for you.

It’s also important to get the correct size of nail. The rule of thumb is that the nail must be able to go twice as far as it travels to the second board through the first board, or the length of the nails you’re going to use must be three times the thickness of the board you use. Use your entire arm rather than your wrist when nailing for more power and accuracy.

Those are the basic skills that you need to learn in carpentry if you want to do minor repairs around your home. It takes practice and patience to master the above steps.

By Daniel

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