Woodworker's Journal 1982-6-5, страница 46

Shop Tips

A discarded badminton racquet makes a handy organizer for screwdrivers, awls, rat-tail files and other small tools. Just cut off the handle at the point shown and epoxy the racquet

stub into a mortise cut in the mounting board. Better use a hacksaw when making the cut as the metal shaft may extend well into the wood. Mount the unit to the wall or toolboard with a pair of woodscrews.

Robert F. Gosnell, Plattsburgh, NY

I have made up sanding blocks in different sizes and shapes that work really well. With them it's possible to sand right up to tiny corners. The sandpaper lasts longer and is easily replaced when necessary. Cut blocks to suit and epoxy an aluminum backing in

Feathering Disk Cement and stick the block to a sandpaper sheet. The cement sets up right away. Use an awl to trace around the block to trim off the excess paper and you're ready to sand. Worn sandpaper strips off easily for replacement.

Jay Wallace, Ashland, OR

Many oil finishes, especially if they contain tung oil, will tend to harden once the container has been opened. To avoid this problem, transfer the oil to one of those plastic flip-top bottles that many hair shampoos come in. After using some of the finish, just

squeeze out most of the air and close the spout. Without exposure to air, the oil won't harden. Make sure the bottle is one that has a tight sealing top, otherwise air will seep into the container during storage.

Ross G. Roepke, Tullahoma, TN

The location of drawer pulls and door knobs can throw off the visual "balance" of a furniture piece. To get an idea of what the front should look like with the various arrangements, I use a hot melt glue gun.

I put a dab of glue on the knob stem or drawer pull back and place it where I think it should go. This allows me to "see" the finished look without drilling any holes. And clean up is easy. Just rub off!

James Kearney, Minneapolis, MN

My shop uses felt on a daily basis making wood specialty products and I have found that the pressure-sensitive sanding disc cement (Sears #2220) works best. Since the glue dries completely before the felt is applied, the possibility of glue soaking through is eliminated. The applied felt need only be rolled and then trimmed to size for a durable, professional looking bond.

Criag Graybar, St. Francis, WI

Small scraps of exotic hardwoods such as ebony or rosewood should always be saved as they can be used to make beautiful wedges which contrast with the principal construction wood.

To drive a rosan nut (sometimes called a threaded insert) takes a wide bladed screwdriver and a fair amount of turning force. Even then, the slot will usually get pretty well chewed up. Here's an easier way. Shorten a bolt that matches the internal thread of the rosan nut, then use it to drive the nut as shown.

The major tool in my home shop is the radial arm saw and I have found the use of a stop-block very useful. It's quick and very dependable. I've also extended the fence beyond the end of the table about two feet with a leg to the floor for support. The stop-block

fence. The ³A" holes on the side provide access to the inner part of the opposite side where the T-nuts are recessed into that side. The channel cut through the block can be of the dimensions shown to allow for easy operation and adjustment on any ³/«" saw fence. This block can be used either on the left or right side of the blade and is very solid when tightened to the fence.

Ron Toppenberg, Newton, IA

The Woodworker's Journal pays $25 for reader submitted shop tips that are published. Send your ideas (including sketch if necessary) to: The Woodworker's Journal, P.O. Box 1629, New Milford, CT 06776, Attention: Shop Tip Editor. We redraw all sketches so they need only be clear and complete.