Woodworker's Journal 1993-17-6, страница 18

Small Paris Funnel

Most of lis tun e a few jai s or coffee cans filled with assorted brads, screws, nuts and other such small parts. To find a part

buried in the container usually means dumping the contents on the workbench. But, once the search is over, it's a chore putting all those parts back into the container. I've found, though, that a plastic funnel makes it a lot quicker and easier lo do the job. Sincc most funnels have a narrow neck. I cut away the bottom section of the funnel, so ihe parts are not as likely lo clog.

Howard li. Moody, Upper Jay, N Y.

Rule Keeper

I always carry a 6 in. steel rule in the breast pocket of my shop apron. Bui. every time I'd bend over to pick something up. it would end up on the floor. I solved the problem by using hot-glue to stick a couple of small magnets to the backside of the apron pocket. The magnets have just enough holding power to keep the ruler securely in place, yet they easily allow the rule to slide in when replacing it in the pocket. Small magnets are available at hobby and craft stores. Experiment with their size and number to gel jusl the right holding power.

Jeffrey L. Winter. Alamo. Calif.

18

Squaring Blocks To help square large case pieces, try clamping one or two blocks of wood in each corner during the assembly process. The blocks are made front V-t in. thick plywood, and they can be cut to almost any size, although we've found that 4 in. square works well for a good range of case sizes. To make it easier to clamp them in place, you'll want to either cut notches or. as a simpler option, bore a pair of holes big enough to accept C-clamps. Both options are shown. Be sure to nip the corner to keep the block

from sticking should there be any squeeze-out from a glue joint.

Sander Support

I recently used my belt sandcr to -.and the edge of a 1 in. thick table top. But. try as I may. I couldn't avoid rocking the bell sander. resulting in an edge thai was rounded and uneven. I found thai I could avoid ihe problem by clamping a slraighi length of wood to the table lop, flush with the edge. This added surface prtv-vided more area for the sander to ride on, so 1 ended up with a perfect edge. Roopindcr Tara. Willow Grove. Penn.

Mini-Drawer for Blades A short length of telescoping curtain rod makes a handy under-the bench drawer for storing scroll saw blades. Screw the outer part of Ihe rod lo the underside of the bench to serve as a slide. Bend up the

ends of the inner piece to form the drawer. I've made several of these drawers—one for each blade size,

Howard L. Moody. Upper Jay, N.Y.

Sanding Blocks

A 2 by 4 that's cut about 9 in. long w ill make a perfect sized hand-sanding bkn. k for use with a 3 in. by 21 in. belt sander belt. If you want, you can go a step further and make it easier lo grip by using the router and a core box bil lo add a co\e to each side. 1 keep several blocks for various size grits.

Mack R. Mav, Hcrmanvillc. Miss,

The Woodworker's Journal pays S25—$100 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, Attn: Shop Tip Editor. VVf 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 WiKxlwurker' s Journal