Popular Woodworking 2009-02 № 174, страница 9

— Tricks of the Trade

EDITED BY PAUL ANTHONY

THE WINNER:

A Hoseline Clothesline

I here's nothing more annoying than a vacuum hose dragging on the bench when you're working with a router, sander or other power tool. These big hoses always seem to hang up on workpieces and tangle with tools on the bench. I finally found a cheap, easy solution in the form ofa $15 clothesline retractor available at home centers.

Attach the unit to the ceiling and pull out enough line to create the necessary tension to carry your vacuum hose. (The more line you pull out, the stronger the retraction force.) You can cut off any excess cord, but don't let go of it before you reattach the hook because the cord will zip back into the case! Now your vacuum hose will stay suspended at the proper height above you. Whether you're working down on the benchtop or working up high on a tall piece, the hose simply moves out of the way.

— Dennis Kugizaki, Colorado Springs, Colorado

Making Good Use ofa Negative

When cutting a hardboard template to use for a router guide pattern, save the "negative" offcut. Its outline can be used as a mask to view and compose a nice grain pattern on the stock before attaching the positive section to the workpiece for machining. — Barry Burke Jr., Middletown, Connecticut

CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

Cash and prizes for your tricks and tips!

Each issue we publish useful woodworking tips from our readers. Next issue's winner receives a $250 gift certificate from Lee Valley Tools, good for any item in the catalog or on the web site (leevalley.com). (The tools pictured at right are for illustration only, and are not part of the prize.)

Runners-up each receive a check for $50 to $100. When submitting a trick (either by mail or e-mail) you must include your complete mailing address and a daytime phone number. If your trick is selected for publication, an editor will need to contact you. All entries become the property of Popular Woodworking. You can send your trick by e-mail to popwoodtricks@fwmedia.com, or mail it to Tricks of the Trade, Popular Woodworking, 4700 E. Galbraith Road, Cincinnati, OH 45236.

16 ■ Popular Woodworking February 2009