There are over 6,000 professional woodworkers across the United States. The number of hobbyist woodworkers is much larger than this. If you are getting into the craft of woodworking you need to learn about wood shaping.
Shaping wood requires a specific set of skills. It helps to know a bit about the different types of wood as well. You also need a specific set of wood shaping tools.
From the most basic woodworking projects to massive carpentry undertakings wood shaping plays an important role. Read on to find out what steps it consists of. That way your DIY wood projects will come out right.
1. Develop Your Vision
Some woodworkers like to have an idea of their final product before starting. Others prefer to let the wood “speak to them” and influence how they carve/shape it.
Figure out what works best for you, but have a vision of what you want to complete before you start your project. Whether you let the characteristics of the wood or your prior plan dictate this is up to you.
2. Choose Your Wood Type
There are many different forms of wood with different carving characteristics. Oak, cedar, pine, yew, and madrone all carve very differently.
Characteristics ranging from color to hardness, to the consistency of the wood grain will influence your shaping process. Choose your type of wood based on what you intend to shape.
3. Get Your Tools for Wood Shaping
There are a ton of different woodworking tools. Things such as rasps, carving knives, hand saws, planes, chisels, files, and sandpaper are some of the important ones.
For larger wood carving projects you may want to consider getting a lathe as well. Make sure to only operate the tools you know how to use. When in doubt, find someone experienced to give you instructions.
4. Shape the Rough Outline
At this point, you are ready to begin your woodworking project. Shape the rough outline of whatever you intend to carve. This means using power tools, or larger hand tools such as a plane or saw.
5. Shape the Finer Details
Once you have shaped the rough outline of your finished product, you can focus on the finer details. This means using your carving knives, or smaller tools to whittle away small amounts of wood in the right places.
6. Sand and Finish
Now that you have finished shaping your woodworking project, it is time to sand it down. Start with larger grit sandpaper and finish with the fine grand. After you are done sanding you can apply varnish or other finishes as needed.
Wood Shaping Is Fun
Wood shaping is a great way to whittle away the days and enjoy a natural medium of craftsmanship. Your finished projects make excellent gifts and may have practical applications around your home.
This guide tells you all the steps you need to follow when woodworking. Use it as a starting point for your research on how to be a competent woodworker. To continue your research about many other topics, check out our site!
