This part may sound trivial, but it is an important step. This step should become so routine that you will do it without thinking about it after a while.

First, you need to set up your work area. Make sure that the area you are working at is well lit and that there is nothing close by that can burn. You do not want to burn anything except the wood you are working on! Make sure that the light source is to your front so that you do not cast a shadow onto your working area. You really need to be able to see what you are doing!

You don't need a lot of space on which to work. An area of a table about 3 feet wide by 2 feet deep is good. Make sure you put something on the table surface to protect it from being scratched by the wood and from being burnt by the hot iron. I recommend a piece of formica or masonite for this purpose. These materials resist heat well, and although they can scour from the heat, they do a very good job of protecting the surface on which they are placed.

Do not use sheets of cardboard, corrugated, foam, rubber, styrofoam or any other material that can melt or burn. Use of these materials could cause fire, or emit toxic fumes! This is the most important point in this entire lesson!

Let's continue! Your area also needs to be close to an electrical outlet so that you have power for your iron. Use only one extension cord (6 feet) at most, if you need any. A longer extension will cause the iron to be cooler, but the wiring to the iron will be hotter. More than one extension cord is not a good idea for any heat-generating appliance.

The iron you purchased should have come with some type of stand so that you can lay it down without the tip touching your work surface. A small aluminum shaped stand is sufficient. If the stand is small, it is a good idea to mount it onto a piece of wood about 6 - 8 inches long and 4 inches wide. This will keep the stand from tipping over. If you do not have a stand, you can make one with a piece of wire from a coat-hanger (remember the wire ones?).

The wood you want to work on should be right in front of you. Your iron should be on the right side of the wood (If you use your left hand, reverse all of the items). The iron should be by itself. In fact, while you are using the iron, you really shouldn't need much else on the work area at all. However, you will need a piece of the sandpaper to prepare the wood for use. You should keep it on the left side of the work area, away from the iron. Pliers, tape, transfer paper, and pen should all be on the left side of the work area.

Now you have your work area all set up to do a woodburning. Now you need to prepare the wood.