Woodworker's Journal 2008-32-6, страница 18

Tricks of the Trade

Color Coding Simplifies Life in the Shop

Paint Your Plugs

Since outlets are scarce in my shop, four machines have to share one outlet. I got tired of guessing which of the four identical black plugs was the right one for the machine I wanted to use, so 1 painted each plug a different color to match the machine color. Now, I know that

Dan Clough color codes his plugs so he always knows which one to reach for.

orange" means band saw, "yellow" is the grinder, and so forth. I mounted a plug holder made of notched scrap right next to the outlet so the plugs are ready when I need them.

Dan Clough Salem, Oregon

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One-clamp Wonder

If your shop is a bit short on clamps, here's a way to mount small to medium-sized featherboards with one clamp instead of two. I wrap two rubber bands around my

featherboards, which gives them much better "grip" against fence facings. Space the rubber bands apart and place the clamp between them. Tighten the clamp and your featherboard will stay put. For long featherboards, I stick with two clamps.

Serge Duclos, Delson, Quebec

Auger-tip screws spin damaged plugs right back out.

Unscrew Those Damaged Plugs

Here's a good way to draw a damaged wood plug out of its counter-bore, provided the glue is still wet. Drive an auger-tip wood screw into the center of the bad plug. When the tip of the extraction screw bottoms out on the head of the; seated screw, keep turning it slowly and the threads will lift the plug out. Be sure to use an auger tip screw for this job — it will bore a pilot hole in the plug instead of expanding it and damaging the counter sunk hole.

Mark King Portland, Oregon

Scanning for Shop Copies

I've started taking pages from your magazine and scanning them into my computer. The "PDF" fde I create allows me to name the article so I can remember it for future ref-

CD Towers Become Dust-free Tape Storage

If you buy blank CDs or DVDs in bulk, don't throw away those empty plastic spindle towers. They're the perfect size for storing all sorts of shop tape so it stays clean and ready for use. Keep this storage box on your bench, or drive a couple of screws through the top cover to mount it under a cabinet.

Barry Brown Wellington, Florida

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December 2008 Woodworker's Journal