Woodworking In Winter: A Guide

Now that winter is here, temperatures start to drop and the days get shorter, you may be wondering how this affects your woodworking projects. While it is certainly possible to do woodworking in winter, there are a few things you need to take into account. In this blog post, we will discuss some tips for woodworking in winter so that you can stay productive and keep your projects on track.

Can the cold weather affect your woodworking?

The short answer is, yes. Cold weather can affect your woodworking in a few ways. In this blog post, we will be discussing these ways and what you can do about it.

Wood

Wood may become more brittle due to cold temperatures, making it difficult to work with and prone to splitting or cracking. A humidifier can help solve this problem by keeping your wood at an optimum temperature.

Glue 

Your usual glues and finishes may not set properly at lower temperatures, so it’s important to adapt and find a thicker one that works for you.

What can you do to prepare for woodworking in winter?

There are a few steps you can take to ensure your woodworking projects remain successful despite the cold weather bringing its challenges. These are:

●      Make sure to store your woodworking machinery and tools and wood in a warm area, preferably at room temperature

●      Use a woodworking heater or fan to keep your workspace heated

●      Use thicker glues that are designed for colder temperatures

●      Adjust your cutting speeds on routers and saws as cold temperatures can affect the blade speed

●      Wear gloves to keep your hands warm while working with small pieces of wood.

How do you properly finish workpieces in cold weather?

Finishing can prove to be difficult when it's cold outside, as some finishes may not set properly due to lower temperatures. Here are a few tips for finishing workpieces in cold weather:

●      Use a higher viscosity of finish to increase adhesion

●      Allow your pieces to warm up before applying a finish, or use a heat gun to help speed up the process

●      Sand your piece with finer grits as this will help the finish adhere better

●      Use a finishing fan to help your finish dry faster and more evenly.

By following these tips, you can continue woodworking in winter with success! With the proper preparation and knowledge, you should be able to complete projects efficiently despite the cold weather. 

If you have any questions about woodworking machinery, contact us here at Calderbrook Woodworking Machinery today.