Woodworker's Journal 1993-17-2, страница 10

Shop Tips

Even in their original boxes, which are not airtight, dust masks are susceptible to an accumulation of shop dust. And you won't help your lungs by putting on a mask that's already coated inside and out wilh dust. To prevent this, be sure to always keep your masks where they will be well protected from dust. I've Found that those disposable paper dust masks store nicely in plastic Zip-Lock bags. The bags are just the right size and the Zip-Lock seal makes them impervious to dust.

Mike Carroll. Sacramento. Calif.

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

The Woodworker's Journal

Dowel pins are fluted (grooved) to allow air and excess glue lo escape from the dowel hole when a pin is inserted. Most commercially-made dowel pins, in sizes up lo ^]/i in. diameter, are >old with flutes already formed in them. Hirwever, in sizes above in,, which I sometimes use. fluted dowel pins are hard to find.

1 solved that problem with this little jig. It's made from a scrap piece of stock that's thick enough to support the pin length. The hole diameter equals the dowel diameter, and it's bored so that part of the hole is exposed on the end as

tour casters. In little time a had a sturdy, portable shop work surface complete with several drawers for storage. Mike Steffen, Wurtsmith A.F.B.. Mich.

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If the top drawer of your workbench doesn't have a lock, and you want to discourage young children from opening it. consider this idea. On the surface of the bench, mark a point just inside the drawer back. At the marked point, drill a counterbored hole to accept a Vt6 in. or Vs in. diameter bolt. Make the counter-bore just deep enough to allow the boll head to rest slightly below the surface of

Most woodworkers have an occasional need to spread, or separate. parts of a project. For example, it's usually necessary to spread apart chair

Don't toss out your old socks quite yet—even if they may have a hole or l wo. Instead, wash them one more time and put them to use in the shop. I find that when worn on the hand, like a mitten, an old sock is great for rubbing down or polishing a finish, or w iping off excess stain. Throw them out when the job is over.

A1 West brook, Bellmore. NY

legs in order to remove a broken rung

Several types of woodworking spreaders arc sold, but it you have .t pipe clamp with a sliding pin handle, here's an easy way to convert it into a spreader at very little cost, (f ixed crank -style handles won't work because the pipe prevents the handle from turning ) Re verse the direction of the two clamp ends, and onlj partially screw the "head" end onto the pipe as shown Then, to support the loose jaw. insert a short (2 to 3 in. long) pipe nipple through the jaw hole and thread it into the head. You'll find pipe nipples in the plumbing section of your hardware store.

David W. Peterson. Jacksonville, Fla.

the bench (a washer under the bolt head is also a good idea). To secure the drawer, just close it up and drop the boll into the counterbored hole. To release it, use a pair of needle-nose pliers (or a magnet) to remove the boll.

Howard E. Moody. Upper Jay. NY

shown. To use it, place the dowel pin in the hole, then use the band saw to cut each flute. Six or eight flutes w ill do the job tor most pins.

Dale A. Doerr, Traverse City. Mich.

Small kids' desks seem to be pretty common at garage sales these days. When my w ife bought one for five bucks recently. I built u frame from 2 by 4's to support the base, then I added