These tips are by Billy from Newton Makes. It covers seven practical habits that can help any woodworker—from beginner to advanced—work more efficiently, improve project results, and enjoy the process even more.
Instead of relying on expensive upgrades or major shop overhauls, Billy focuses on small, actionable changes that build skill and reduce frustration. These tips are drawn from his own experiences and shared through his YouTube channel, Newton Makes.
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1. Try Dye Stains for Better Finishing Control
Billy explains that dye stains offer more consistent color than traditional wood stains, especially across different wood species. They penetrate deeper and dry faster, which means less waiting between coats and better predictability.
He also highlights their customizability—you can mix your own colors to suit each project. Brands like General Finishes and TransTint are mentioned as reliable choices, though Billy emphasizes he’s just sharing his personal experience.
2. Joint Two Boards at Once
When edge-gluing boards for a panel, jointing them in pairs can compensate for a jointer fence that isn’t perfectly square. The technique is simple but effective—run two boards through the jointer at the same time, facing opposite directions.
This ensures the angles cancel each other out when the boards are flipped and glued together. It’s a great way to get tight seams without spending time perfecting your jointer setup.
3. Let Lumber Acclimate Before Building
Wood needs time to adjust to your shop environment. Billy recommends using a moisture meter and keeping sample boards on hand to compare new lumber against.
If you’re planning to mill thick boards into thinner stock, do it in stages. Removing too much material at once can expose inner moisture and cause warping. Letting wood rest between milling passes helps maintain stability.
4. Route the Ends Before the Sides
To avoid tear-out when routing profiles like round-overs, start with the end grain. That way, any blowout is cleaned up when you later route the sides.
This small change in routing order can save a lot of sanding. You can also clamp a scrap board at the end of the workpiece to act as a backer and reduce chip-out even further.
5. Make Sanding More Efficient
Billy suggests developing a consistent sanding routine based on the finish you’ll apply. There’s no need to sand beyond what the finish requires—most polyurethanes don’t need sanding past 220 grit.
Keeping sandpaper organized and using a sanding eraser to clean the grits can extend the life of your supplies. For curved surfaces, tools like flexible sanding blocks or card scrapers can improve results and reduce effort.
6. Define Your Woodworking Goals
Clarity about your goals helps you work more deliberately. Are you trying to learn a broad range of skills, or do you want to specialize in something you can sell, like cutting boards?
Billy explains that having defined goals allows you to build your shop, skills, and project list more intentionally. Revisiting those goals each year can also help adjust your path as your interests evolve.
7. Add One New Feature to Every Project
To keep learning, Billy encourages adding just one new element to each build. This could be a new joinery method, a design tweak, or a new type of finish.
It’s not about overcomplicating your work—just finding small ways to push your skills forward. Over time, these mini challenges build up into major growth as a woodworker.
A Better Way to Work in the Shop
All seven habits are built around improving efficiency, accuracy, and enjoyment. Whether it’s sanding less, cutting smarter, or simply thinking ahead, these habits can save time and frustration in any shop.
Billy’s advice is clear and actionable, and his goal is to help woodworkers build better projects while spending less time on avoidable mistakes. These tips are especially helpful for hobbyists juggling limited time in the shop.
Please support Billy by visiting his website here: https://www.newtonmakes.com/shop.