Woodworking Tips and Woodworking Plans

Woodworking Tips - Aging Wood Artificially
As wood ages, the surfaces that are exposed to light and air tend to grow darker. (Only walnut and mahogany grow lighter.) This phenomenon helps to give antique furniture its lustrous patina. When making reproduction of antiques, you can create an artificial patina by applying a 10-percent solution of nitric acid (available from most chemical-supply companies). Let the acid soak into the surface of the new wood for several minutes, then warm it with a heat gun. As the temperature of the surface climbs, the wood will suddenly turn dark. Continue to apply heat until the wood surface is dried thoroughly. When applying the acid, be sure to wear rubber gloves and a full face shield. Work outdoors or in a well-ventilated room. For woodworking tips and Award Winning Woodworking Plans go to www.gcwoodworks.com

Woodworking Tips - Old Mouse Pad 
Hey, Don't throw away that old mouse pad!  When cut to size and glued with silicone or shoe goop, or stapled to a board it makes an excellent pusher!  (You may need to remove the mouse surface material first.)   Cut them up to various sizes and use them all over the place. I've even cut them to fit a wooden mallet to eliminate marring.  Glue them to old clamps, as well as jigs to hold wood pieces in place.  Try them, they work great!  For woodworking tips and Award Winning Woodworking Plansgo to www.gcwoodworks.com 

Woodworking Tips - Softening Hardened Putty Sticks
Colored putty sticks are handy for filling nail holes, but they sometimes get hard with age and become difficult to use.  When this happens, I soften the stick before using it by immersing an end in very hot water for about a minute.  Don't submerge too much of the stick, or it will get too soft for you to hold properly.  For woodworking tips and Award Winning Woodworking Plans go to www.gcwoodworks.com