1. When building a deck it’s possible to straighten a warped deck board – even when working by yourself – with the aid of a scissor-style car jack. A 2×4 cleat screwed to the supporting joists allows you to exert enough force with the jack to straighten the board. Then screw the board in place.

2. Sawdust and shavings from Pine and Oak lumber can be composted to form a nutritious mulch for gardens, shrubs and trees. It is best to mix it with other compost like leaves and grass clippings. Never compost sawdust from pressure-treated lumber, plywood or particle board which contains hazardous additives.

3. Some woods, such as walnut or oak, are very tough and hard to carve. You can soften the wood up by applying de-natured alcohol to it. The alcohol will not cause the grain to raise like water will. The alcohol, of course, will evaporate with time.

4. Need to fill in a crack or check? Mix sawdust from your piece with glue and put into the crack or check. When dry, sand and finish as usual.

5. Use a framing square to find the center of a circle by placing the corner of the square on the circle, and marking where the legs meet the circumference. Draw a line from one mark to the other. Do this a second time. These lines intersect at the center.

These are just a few tips that I picked up over this past week. They come from a variety of sources including books, magazines, newsletters, online and some from personal experience.

There are more Woodworking Tips and Tidbits located here.

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