Woodworking For Dummies shows you how your raw building materials stack up, with everything you wood need to know about hardwood, softwood, plywood, veneer wood, plain-sawn wood, rift-cut wood, quarter-sawn wood, solid wood, man-made wood, and more. This down-to-earth guide gives you the goods on how boards are made from trees and the characteristics of hardwood and softwood species, plus all the buzz on
- Gearing up with the right tools
- Putting safety first in your workshop
- Using adhesives and glue
- Working with wood joints
- Smoothing it out by sanding and filling
- Adding color with stains and paints
- Protecting your work with topcoats
Whether you want to put together a simple plywood bookcase or an incredible solid oak dining table, Woodworking For Dummies can help you get organized as you craft your plans for a piece that'll reflect your personal touch. You'll discover how to
- Measure and mark your wood
- Distinguish among saw designs
- Choose and use sharpening tools
- Hone in on hot melt glue
- Speed things up with modern frame joints
- Get down to the nitty-gritty on nails
- Apply water-based polyurethanes
This handy reference packs in essential information for the novice woodworker and some advanced tips and tricks to jumpstart any woodworker's existing skills. Includes detailed illustrations and how-to photos.