Woodworker's Journal 1983-7-1, страница 50

Shop Tips

Sawing long lengths on the table saw is much easier, and often safer, if you have some sort of auxiliary support for the stock. I've found that an old ironing board is perfect for the job. The board should be of metal with a smooth surface such as enamel. It's easily adjusted to the proper height, and when the job is done, it can be folded flat for storage. When cutting wide pieces, it comes in handy by placing it to the side of the saw.

Thomas A. Gardner, Aurora, CO

Slip a heavy rubber band over the arm of your radial arm saw and you'll have a convenient place to store a pencil. No more wasted time searching around the workshop when you need one.

Harry Palen, Forestport, NY

A temporary worksurface can be made by notching the beams of a pair of sawhorses, then adding notched 2 by 4's as shown. The 2 by 4's can be cut to any suitable length and covered with a sheet of plywood or particle-board.

Greg Benson, Batavia, IL

I didn't want to use nails or screws to join V* inch stock for some small boxes I was making so instead, I used round toothpicks as dowels. These toothpicks can be cut with a sharp knife and fit nicely in a 5/64 inch diameter hole.

Rod MacDonald, Houston, TX

A straight bevel applied to the edge of a door allows for a close fit. Without the bevel, the back edge of a close fitting door will jam as the door is opened.

Paul Levine, Sherman, CT

I have a suggestion for a method I've found to be an excellent way to maintain cast iron machine tables. Apply finely ground talc (a good brand of non-medicated talcum powder, such as Johnson's Baby Powder, may be used) with a felt blackboard eraser.

First, remove any resins or pitch that may be left from machining wood and also remove any wax coatings that may have been applied previously. Lightly sprinkle powder (a little goes a long way) over the table surface and rub it in well with the eraser. Wipe excess powder from surface with a shop rag. The talc will penetrate the pores of the cast surface providing a moisture barrier and an excellent non-staining lubricant on which the wood will glide smoothly.

For new machines or newly cleaned surfaces, apply the powder once or twice weekly for 6 to 8 weeks, then once a month thereafter.

William D. Turner, Brookjield, WI

Here's a way to make an inexpensive dust collection system that won't exhaust warm air from your shop. Although it won't collect 100 percent of the dust, this system does help to keep it to a minimum.

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The unit consists of a two-speed floor fan, two 20" by 20" furnace filters and a plywood plenum. The filters are mounted at angles to reduce the overall size. Rabbeted cleats make for easy removal of the filters. An easier, though less efficient method is to fasten one filter directly to the fan with duct tape.

I run the fan at low speed for most operations and use high speed when using the tablesaw or sander. When a large amount of dust collects on the filters, a vacuum is used to clean them.

Richard R. Coers, Peoria, IL

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.

Classified

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Woodcraft Plans: 21 Toys $5.95! 49 Tree ornaments $5.95! Andersons's, 6715-J Chicago, Richfield, MN 55423.

Craftsmen - show pride in your fine work. Personalize your pieces with engraved solid brass plates. Send $1.00 for 2 line sample plate. VB, Dept. WJ, 807 East Dana, Mountain View, CA 94040.

Make Wooden Toys - Plans, hardwood wheels, parts, dowels, catalog $1.00. Cherry Tree Toys, Belmont, OH 43718.

8 Wooden Toy Patterns. Spinning top, clock, animal pencil holders. $3.00. Mer-rilee's, Box 2142, Olympia, WA 98507.

Wooden Toy plans and kits. Unique yesteryear designs (for experienced woodworkers). Catalog $1.00. Woodman East, Box 5333, Titusville, FL 32780.

Miniature Furniture Patterns. Dollhouse plans. Basswood, hinges, tools, books, wallpaper. 1" to 1' scale. Catalog $1.00. Green Door Studio, Dept. WJ, Box 6200, St. Paul, MN 55118.

Wooden Wheels, Bells, Smoke Stacks, beads, dolls, wooden buttons, and unique toy plans. Catalog 50C. Howee Toys, Rt. 7 Box 633WJ, Joplin, MO 64801.

Grandfathers - Dads, too! Child's work-play-hobby bench that grows. 28" to 34" high in 2" increments. Base 18" x 35". Top V* " ply, size your choice. Make to sell. Plan $5.00. Sobys, P.O. Box 180, Western Springs, IL 60558.

Flexible Veneer 18" x 96", $10.00 per sheet. Send SASE for list. Hagan, Route 5, Box 280, Maysville, KY 41056.

Catalog of Unique Wooden Toy Patterns. $1.00 refundable. Playrite, Rt.8 Box 343-J, Moultrie, GA 31768.

Save 50%+ on Bandsaw Blades, Sanding needs - screws - prompt service - small quantities. For pricelist send #10 SASE. Fixmaster, Box 15521-6, Atlanta, GA 30333.

Woodworkers make Money when they learn from "The Woodworker's Money Book." Covers how to sell retail and wholesale, pricing, credit, labeling, much more. Money-back guarantee. Mailed first-class for $3.00. Inprint, Box 687, Farmingdale, NJ 07727.

Clock Plans - Make handcrafted clocks for gifts or profit. 6 plans $4.00 - Kent Anderson, 219 Beedle Dr., Ames, IA 50010.