Popular Woodworking 2006-04 № 154, страница 25

A CD Router Bit Guard

Router table operations that involve the shaping of curved edges can be dangerous because curved-edge work doesn't allow the use of a fence, so there's no convenient place to mount a guard. This puts your fingers in harm's way whenever doing freehand routing that involves guiding the workpiece against the bearing on the bit.

While preparing to shape the edges of some curved pieces recently, I decided to make and install a guard over the bit, screwing it onto an arm that clamps to the edge of the router table's top. Unfortunately, I discovered that I was out of clear acrylic to use for the guard. Always one to use whatever's at hand, I grabbed one of the protective clear plastic discs that come with a spindle of CDs. After screwing it to the wooden arm, I discovered that it worked great. It's just about the perfect size, and transparent enough to see the router bit. Best of all, it didn't cost anything, so I was able to maintain my reputation for being cheap ... um, I mean frugal.

Doug Price Fredericksburg, Virginia Editor's Note: The plastic discs packaged with CDs are made of simple plastics rather than polycarbonate that is usually used for guard devices. This plastic should not be considered shatterproof.

Clamp arm to router table

Screw clear CD blank to wooden arm

Put a Sock on It

The one hand plane that I always bring along to the job site is my block plane. Fortunately, it's small enough to tuck in any tool box. Unfortunately, it is then subject to collision with other hard, sharp toolbox items. To protect it, I first slip it all the way into a thick, old sock. Doubling the top, elastic section of the sock back over the bottom section that contains the plane compresses the sock onto the plane and offers a double layer of cloth as a covering.

Mike Jordan Butte, Montana continued on page 25

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CIRCLE NO. 124 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD.

Easy. Period.