What can be more challenging and productive to spend your leisure time than to use it to learn to craft? The DIY culture is thriving these days because technology has enabled the tools to be smaller and smaller. For example, muti-cutter with oscillation used to be only available for surgery, but now, it has entered the domestic repair industry and allows builders to make cuts with surgical precision. Some wood saws are also designed specifically for in-house workshops. They require less and less energy than they used to, and yet they manage to maintain the power.
If you don’t learn to make some stuff by yourself, the loss will be on your end! Hence, start learning these basics of DIY wood-crafting so that the next time you need some racks for your garage tools, you can make them by yourself.
Learn Visually
Unlike in the past, information is abundant today. If you want to learn woodworking, the first logical step to take is by checking out the best websites and YouTube channels that provide visual tutorials of wood-crafting. Websites alone are not enough because they are often managed by multiple individuals. If you check out channels like DIY Creators or Fix This Build That, their content is explanatory enough and very easy to digest. Make a playlist of your favorite channels and organize the information you learn from them.
Research By Trial and Error
After you gather enough sources, begin your first project. For instance, you can try to build a simple bench for your backyard. Or, you can even start with an easy craft such as making a storage box. Remember that the goal here is to create a finished item, not yet an artistically-done one. Having some imperfection is acceptable as long as your project is functional.
However, make sure that you take videos of your woodworking process. This will enable you to reflect back on your methods and see which steps are inefficient and need to be improved. If you do not document your process, the chances are that you won’t notice your mistakes because woodworking requires micro-management.
Invest in Your Tools and Working Space
If you want to be a great artisan, you need quality tools for your craft. Do not waste your money on buying cheap hand tools and power tools. As an example, only trust the reputable brands for circular saws, such as DeWalt, Makita, or Hitachi. Not only do they last longer than other brands, but they also provide better safety mechanism.
As for your working space, you may start with the unused space in your garage. But as your skills grow, you are going to need a bigger place. If you have a backyard, build a shed there. It will also give you an opportunity to learn about making a big woodworking project.