5 Common Woodworking Problems and How to Solve Them

When you are just getting started in woodworking it you'll run into several common challenges that if not properly addressed can ruin your experience. This post explores 5 common woodworking problems and how to solve them!

Blotchy or Poor Finishes

Staining a project that you’ve worked so hard on can be an extremely gratifying experience. Seeing the wood grain pop and its true colors come to life is amazing. Nothing can ruin this party like a botched finish. 

To ensure that your finish is as beautiful as you had envisioned it would be there are several things you should do before you get to this step.

Sand your piece thoroughly. Start with a lower grit sandpaper and work your way up to a 220-320 grit paper. If you are working with a softer wood like pine be careful not to use too low of a grit of sandpaper. Lower grit papers are more coarse and can scratch softer woods. If you do not catch this, when you go to finish the wood, the stain will make these marks stand out. 

Check for any wood glue. Most wood glues do not accept wood stain. It is important to make sure you clean up any glue run off before it dries.

Check for any nails / screws sticking up or any voids that need filled. Do a final check of your work to make sure that all of the nails and screws are fully driven in. Be sure to use a stainable wood filler to fill any voids or scratches. When you apply the stain if these are not filled the stain will make these imperfections stand out.

Glue Residue

Wood glue is a miraculous thing. It is a great way to strengthen joints and join multiple pieces together. It can create some issues for you if you apply too much glue and have run off or residue left behind. Most wood glues dry clear which can make it difficult to see when you prepare to finish a project. This can lead to uneven surfaces and surfaces that will not stain properly as a result of excess glue.

There are several tricks to help prevent this from happening. 

Keep plastic straws handy and cut the tips of them into V’s. You can use the straw to run along creases or hard to get to areas to collect any glue runoff. It’s much easier to clean up the glue before it drys as it will typically wipe right off without any issue.

You can utilize accessories like Wood Glue Kits to help you apply and spread the glue onto your piece. When you use your fingers to spread the glue it is easy to accidentally touch other parts of your project and get glue where you don’t want it.

If you miss a few spots when cleaning up the glue before it dries, you can always go back over your piece with sandpaper to remove the hardened glue. Be mindful of your wood grain and stick to a higher grit (220-320). These grits will be strong enough to remove the glue without damaging your wood.

Forgetting about the Saw Kerf

The kerf of a saw blade is essentially the amount of material that is removed as a result of the blade thickness. When working through your cuts it can be easy to forget that material is being removed by this with every cut. You’d be surprised how much material this can add up to over multiple cuts! 

When planning out your builds, take time to consider the thickness of the blades you will be using and factor that into your measurements.

When making your cuts it is also important to pay attention to what side of your cut line the blade will pass through. You do not want the kerf of the blade to be on the inside of your cut line and remove more material than you had planned for. 

Dents in Wood

Contrary to popular belief, all woods are not created equal and most species are highly susceptible to denting given their softness. Nothing is worse than getting to the end of a project and accidentally denting it. Luckily there is a way to fix most small dents in wood!

To fix a dent, get an old clean washcloth and soak it in water. Ring it out slightly and place it over the piece of wood that has the dent you want to remove. Let the cloth sit on the wood for a minute or two. Grab a clothes iron and crank it up to its highest setting. Press the iron into the washcloth and move it back and forth slightly until the washcloth is nearly dry. You may need to repeat this process a few times to fully remove the dent but this should clean it up nicely!

Poor Measurement Tools

When it comes to woodworking, especially fine woodworking measurements can make or break a project. One common mistake beginners make is relying on measurement tools that no longer work properly. The hook on the end of a tape measure is designed to be loose. This allows for different measurements to be taken accurately (against a wall or hooked onto the end of a board). However, over time these can wear down and the accuracy of the tape measure will lessen. I rarely use a tape measure. I prefer to use a Combination Square, Digital Caliper, or for larger projects a 48” Straight Edge Ruler. 

Having multiple measuring tools handy will allow you to check for accuracy across all of the products you are using. If you are concerned about the accuracy of one of your measurement tools, you can still successfully complete a project. I would recommend sticking with the same tool throughout the project and making all of your measurements with just that one tool. That way, even if its accuracy is off, all of your cuts will still be consistent. 

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