Woodwork projects can range from a small box to a huge barn. Woodworking has been around since ancient times, and its usefulness to humans and their surroundings are well-known.Wood is a plentiful resource, which makes woodwork projects a popular hobby for people of all ages. Woodwork is the art of making things out of wood and often includes cabinet making, carpentry, joinery, furniture, and wood turning. Woodcarving, also called carvings, is one of the most popular woodwork hobbies in the world. Woodcarvers carve everything from statues and busts to garden furnishings and figurines. Wood carving requires many types of tools. A woodcutter usually uses a jigsaw to cut holes for the posts of a door or shelf, a stapler uses a stiletto to drill holes into wood, an angle grinder uses a diamond saw to make angled cuts, a lathe uses a saw and a chisel for cutting or carving wood. A carver uses power tools such as a table saw or sander to cut or carve. Woodwork projects can be made from a variety of woods, including maple, oak, birch, pine, cedar, spruce, cherry, mahogany, chestnut, elm, maple, beech, pear, plum, ginger, walnut, tamarind, tamarind, and teak. There are many different types of wood available for woodwork projects; therefore, the process of choosing the right wood depends upon the projectҳ requirements. There are several different types of finishing available, such as varnish, paint, or stain. Woodwork projects can be made with a wide variety of finishes, such as oil rubbed bronze, antique silver, gold, pewter, silver, copper, brass, and wrought iron. Finishes can be applied to the wood after it has been stained or painted. Finishes are usually applied with water or with a mixture of water and wood putty. The basic principles of woodwork include the following: start with a plan, then draw or measure the timber cutting and joinery required, use a hammer to nail the pieces together, and lastly, drill and screw the pieces together. One major advantage of using woodwork plans is that they allow the user to plan and complete the project before actually starting. They also ensure that there is less disruption in the work environment, as everything needed is included in the drawing. This enables one to take a step by step approach when working on a project. Woodwork plans also provide one with a list of all the woodworking tools that will be required. Tools that are not in the list may be purchased at a later stage. The basic principles of woodwork include the following: begin with a plan, draw or measure the timber, make a list of all the woodworking tools needed, use a hammer to nail the pieces together, and lastly, paint and finish the project. One should always begin with a clean work area, free from dust and debris. A cloth or paper bag may be used to protect surfaces from possible scratches. Tools should be sharp and new. Oil, varnish or wax should be applied to woodwork that will be used to fasten two pieces of furniture together. A good example of a type of woodwork requiring the joining of two pieces of timber is the hinges on a door. Doors made of solid wood such as oak, pine and mahogany require the joining of two hinges to ensure the hinges are properly aligned. Another example is the process of joining hinges on furniture to ensure the hinges are functioning correctly. A good quality woodwork supplier will be able to advise on the best options for the joints to be used to join furniture together. It may be necessary to purchase specialised hinges or even joinery to ensure correct fit. For the joining of hinges, the correct mortise and tenon joint may be required depending on the make and model of the door. Woodwork suppliers can supply a variety of suitable joints to use, which include tongue-and-groove, sliding and fixed. Power drills may be required to remove any excess bits of wood before the joints are fixed. Sanding, polishing and finishing will enhance the beauty of any wood piece. It is important to choose the right wood polishing product as a high quality unfinished wood will need extra sanding to bring it back to its smooth shiny surface. Flat-bladed tools are more useful for cutting small pieces than those with a serrated edge. If using a flat-bladed tool, always wet the wood with water before attempting to cut it. This will prevent the knife from slipping when it is drawn close to the wood.