Woodworker's Journal 1993-17-1, страница 15

few light passes with the file opened the slot just enough lo give our ears some much needed relief.

The Woodworker's Journal pays $25—$100 for reader-submitted shop tips that are published. Send your ideas (include a sketch if necessary) to: The Woodworker's Journal. P O Bos 1629. \ew Milford. CT 06776. Attn: Shop Tip Editor. We redraw all sketches, so rhA need only be clear and complete. If you would like the material returned, please include a self-addressed stamped envelope.

Shop Tips

heart-shaped cookie cutters. Now. I need only trace around a cutter For a perfect shape every lime.

Kenny Wilson. Konawa. Okla.

Rather that just loss out old leather bells and handbags—recycle them in the workshop. Tliev make great clamp pads. Cut Ihe leather 10 fit the clamps, then use double-stick tape or hot-glue lo secure them in place.

Leo Sorel. Raynham, Mass.

Most any shop square, such as a try square or framing square, will work fine checking the squareness of

small to medium-sized projects. Bui for large case pieces, shop squares are jusi loo small to do an accurate job.

Here's an old-time trick that makes the job easier. Simply measure across the diagonals of the case with your lape measure. If the diagonals measure the same ("A" equals "B"), the case is perfectly square. If it's off. adjust the case as needed to get the diagonals equal.

11" you are about to varnish a project, and still have on those dust-covered clothes you wore while sanding, it's a good idea to change into some clcan clothes. It will help keep dust to a minimum, and thai means you'll end up with a smoother finish.

January/February l^lW Pico if circle No. JO on the Reader Service Card. 7

When gluing a small odd-shaped part, it's often a challenge to figure out how best to clamp it. Some-lirnes there is no easy way for the clamp to hold the part until ihe glue is dry. Next time you're faced with such a problem, consider using a bit of non-drying modeling clay. A little creative clay shaping will often secure the part exactly where you want it. When the glue dries, simply peel off the clay. Non-drying modeling clay is sold at most art supply and craft stores.

C M. Wegner. Minneapolis, Minn.

When cutting a dovetail groove w ith a router and a dovetail bil. it's best to make an initial groove using a straight

bit. The initial groove serves to remove most of the waste stock, allowing ihe dovetail hit to make a cleaner cut with less burning and minimum strain on the motor. To reduce motor sirain when making ihe straight cut. he sure to do il in several passes, with each pass removing no more than about '/s in. of stock.

Many woodworkers like lo make "zero clearance" inserts for the table saw. However, when using ours, we've found that the saw blade made a rather irriialing high pitch "ringing noise." apparently caused bv the ever so slighi contact between the saw's teeth and the insert slot. Thankfully, all that was needed lo quiet things down was ,t flal file thin enough 10 fit in the slot. A

Ilike to include a heart-shaped cutout on many of my country pine projects. But, not being much of an artist, my freehand cutlincs were often less than satisfactory. My lalcnis improved, however. when I purchased a set of three