4 Ways Woodworkers Can Improve Productivity
Woodworking is a great hobby that some professionals transform into a side gig or career. As with any job, knowing how to be as productive as possible raises your success rate. By implementing the best strategies, you’ll make each day more efficient so you complete incredible pieces in less time. Below, we’ll discuss the ways woodworkers can improve productivity.
Have a Plan
Before you cut into a piece of wood, you need a plan. If the work isn’t a special request, think about what you’ll make. From here, decide on the size, wood type, and stain, and then create a timeline. For instance, let’s say you choose to make a kitchen table that’s 48’ L x 38” W and made of pine. By getting precise with what you’ll craft before you start the project, you know what materials you need to buy and what types of pieces you need to create.
Buy the Right Tools
As a woodworker, the tools you need go beyond the hammers, saws, and drills. You should also have essential accessories such as saw rail guides to help you make precise, straight cuts. Crooked cuts look bad and lower the overall quality of a piece, especially when it occurs along the joint where two parts connect.
Pro Tip
Take care of all your tools to ensure they last as long as possible. When you purchase a new machine, read the manual and note the cleaning schedule. Neglecting your tools increases the risk of them breaking.
Clean As You Work
It’s often tempting to hold off on cleaning until you’ve finished the project in front of you. However, this also increases the risk of making mistakes or losing key items. Try to clean as you work. You should put tools and materials away once you finish using them. So, if you need your drill to screw panels together, put the drill away once you’ve completed that task.
Take Breaks
The final way woodworkers can boost productivity sounds counterproductive, but it’s critical—take breaks. Sometimes, you may feel tempted to spend days working on a project, and you may even skip lunch occasionally. In theory, you should finish faster, but that’s not usually the case. So, when creating a timeline for a project, factor in breaks.
Without breaks, you could exhaust yourself and feel burned out. As a result, you may cut corners or make mistakes you normally wouldn’t. When you start feeling tired or have difficulty focusing, it’s time to step away. When you return the next day, your mind will be fresh with new ideas so you can tackle the project.
