Secret Tricks Carpenters Don’t Want You to Know
Have you ever wondered how carpenters are able to create such flawless pieces of furniture and structures? Well, the truth is, they have some tricks up their sleeves that they don’t want you to know about. But today, we’re going to spill the beans and reveal some of these secret tricks that will help you in your own woodworking projects.
Use Water to Fix Dents
One clever trick that carpenters use to fix dents in wood is to apply water to the affected area. Simply wet a washcloth or sponge and place it over the dent for a few hours. The moisture will cause the fibers in the wood to swell and fill in the dent, leaving you with a smooth surface.
Use Toothpaste to Fill Holes
If you have small holes in wood that need filling, don’t waste your money on expensive wood filler. Instead, try using toothpaste. Simply apply a small amount of toothpaste to the hole, smooth it out with a putty knife, and let it dry. Once it’s dry, sand it down for a seamless finish.
Use a Candle to Lubricate Screws
Ever struggled to drive a stubborn screw into wood? The next time you find yourself in this situation, try rubbing the threads of the screw on a candle before trying to drive it in. The wax from the candle will act as a lubricant, making it much easier to drive the screw in.
Use Coffee Grounds to Fill Gaps
If you have small gaps in wood that need filling, coffee grounds can be a quick and easy solution. Simply mix the coffee grounds with some wood glue to create a thick paste, and use it to fill in the gaps. Once it’s dried, sand it down for a seamless finish.
Use a Rubber Band for Stripped Screws
If you encounter a stripped screw that won’t budge, try placing a rubber band over the screw head before using your screwdriver. The rubber band will provide extra grip and traction, making it easier to remove the screw.
So there you have it, some of the secret tricks that carpenters don’t want you to know. Now that you’re armed with this knowledge, you’ll be able to tackle your woodworking projects with confidence and finesse. Happy woodworking!
Novel idea. Predrill edge cuts, no splitting. Countersink them if you want to be fancy, soap, ive seen that before. Absolutely useless. As far as the others, i have used wood shims where i Absolutely have to, or i move up a size of screw, sometimes not an issue, the baking soda and ca glue stripped out immediately, even with a lower power drill than im used to. Might hold with a full threaded screw rather than one with a shoulder, but the ca (cyanoacroylate glue) will only penetrate about 1/4-3/8" so the shoulder will just spin in the loose powder underneath. The wood shims with a bit of wood glue, leave it set for a bit then drive the screw is the best option if you can't use a larger fastener, other option is to double check the hole size you need to drill, and go from there. Everyone makes mistakes though. I have many times. A lot of these "quick fixes" will they work? Technically. Other than the ca glue and sodium bicarb for that particular use. Great fo glueing plastics however, dust it inbetween the pieces, put ca down, add a smidge more bicarb down, and a drop or two of ca. Works a treat.