Beginner Woodworking

[Steve Hill]

Just a quick post for beginner woodworkers: When gluing projects together, if you need to wipe away excess glue, the most simple way is to use baby wipes.

[Cheryl Coleman]

Good Tip Steve,

I keep a roll of paper towels near my workstation that I sometimes have to dampen with my bottled water, but baby wipes would be ideal. Thanks!

[Jay Boutwell]

Along with wiping the excess glue away another way is to use sawdust followed up with a mixture of white vinegar and water at a ratio of about 50% works well to remove any residue of glue that will lead to finish problems.  Wipe the area with vinegar on a cloth. 

The saw dust soaks up most of the glue and also fills any imperfection in the joint that would normally need wood filler.

[Steve Hill]

Exactly Jay. Thanks for the follow up. My mom taught me the sawdust trick when I was in high-school. Works quite well. Very much appreciate the info and sharing on the community.

[michael evans]

I use the white vinegar trick myself it works very well , only trouble is I store the vinegar in a old fashioned spirit bottle everyone thinks I have vodka in the shop .

[Jay Boutwell]

Michael, I have not used the vodka yet  but it might be effective as if a guy used enough of it he would not know if there was glue squeeze out or not.  I think I will stick with my coffee.  :)

michael evans said:

I use the white vinegar trick myself it works very well , only trouble is I store the vinegar in a old fashioned spirit bottle everyone thinks I have vodka in the shop .

[michael evans]

Hi Jay how's things going ? I agree about the vodka I will stick to my coffee too . Wonder how many people have tried to use a table saw while under the influence of alcohol? Guess that would be a O.T.U.I. operating a table saw under the influence ha.

[Johanne Perez]

I'm a beginner... Great tip on the wipes and sawdust with vinegar.  Would the vinegar affect any pre-stain wood conditioner or stain? Thanks. 

[Jay Boutwell]

Hi Johanne,  I have used it for years and never had a problem with it and finishes as that is the reason that I used it was to remove any problems from glue squeeze out and or other problems with wood not excepting finishes.  Just do not saturate the wood and wipe it clean and allow it to dry before adding stains.

Johanne Perez said:

I'm a beginner... Great tip on the wipes and sawdust with vinegar.  Would the vinegar affect any pre-stain wood conditioner or stain? Thanks.