Top Tips for Easy Woodwork Measurements

One of the most well-known woodworking tips is to measure twice and cut once. But measuring isn’t always a simple process, so here are some smart tricks to help you work faster and better with your woodwork measurements:

The 1-inch stop block

Furniture-grade crosscuts can only be achieved with a table saw. And when you need to get multiple cut-offs that feature a uniform length, you can clamp a dedicated wooden block to the table saw fence, exactly 1-inch in thickness. Simply clamp the block to the fence, adjust the fence gauge to the desired length + 1-inch, and get sawing.

Add Fractions Quickly

It doesn’t have to be a headache adding 2-9/16 in. to 3-7/8 in. Simply line up two tape measures or rulers side by side and read the answer for quick, accurate results.

Scaling Accurately

It can be difficult to enlarge woodworking patterns to full-scale, but you can use a full-service copy centre to help. Simply cut the pattern to the length of the drawing and ask to have it enlarged to the size the dimensions call for. The copy centre will be able to easily determine the expansion percentage and print out a full-size pattern for you to stick to the wood and get to work.

Draw handles in the centre

Use a straightedge and light pencil lines to draw diagonals from the corners of your drawer face to identify the centre, where you can insert a single screw handle. Add in a horizontal line for handles with 2 holes.

Marking, not Measuring

You can hold trim in position and mark to get more accurate positioning than measuring. It is also usually faster, and can help with carpentry work like lying shingles, siding and even framing.

Memory Hack

Stick some masking tape to the side of your tape measure. This will provide a surface for you to note down important shapes and numbers. This way, you won’t be relying purely on memory for the correct length when you go to pick up the saw.

Setting Blade Depth

Determine the correct blade depth by unplugging your saw and holding it beside the board with the blade guard retracted. Then, by loosening the depth adjuster, you can pivot the base of the saw until the blade sits around a quarter to half an inch below the board.

Woodwork measuring is extremely important, and it doesn’t always have to be complicated. These are just some of the many hacks you can use to simplify the measuring process without having to make any sacrifices in terms of accuracy. You don’t have to be a professional to use woodwork machinery, just follow our simple woodworking tips to be well prepared.