Self-identification: Here’s an easy way to label boxes of nails, screws, and other fasteners: just attach a sample of each item to the outside of its box with some glue. You’ll be able to see at a glance what you have in stock and where it is. Recycled labels: If you store screws or other [...]
Easy-reach holder: Make a tool holder out of scrap wire mesh. Form the mesh into a ‘channel shape’, leaving a section at the top and bottom for mounting on a wall or stud. A 1/2″ square mesh holds a variety of tools, especially screwdrivers. Holding power: For a convenient spot to store chuck keys, scissors, [...]
Picking up small items Nuts and bolts scoop: get small fasteners back into their boxes quickly with a scoop made from a square-shaped plastic milk, or other container that has a handle. Use a utility kiife to cut off the bottom half of the container at an angle and away you go. Magnetic bagger Here’s [...]
Shedding light General illumination: Replace overhead incandescent bulbs with fluoroscent fixtures, which are cheaper to operate, last longer, and give an even, diffused light. Suspend two-tube units over major work areas. Choose 4′ (1200 mm) units and, for a large workshop, double the number of tubes. Plug each unit directly into a ceiling light outlet. [...]
Creature Comforts Foot ease: Here’s relief from tired feet and legs; cover the floor in front of your workbench with a scrap of low-pile carpet. Besides providing cushioning, it prevents a major cause of leg discomfort — the transfer of body heat from legs and feet to cold concrete. And it’s easily cleaned with a [...]
Instant order: Get your workshop shipshape quickly by storing everything you can in same-sized cardboard boxes. Cut off the tops, label the boxes by general categories, such as ‘brackets’ or’sandpaper’, and arrange them alphabetically on shelves. Identical boxes measuring 12″ (300 mm) or so in height, width and depth work well. Storage firms and office [...]
Soft saddle: The battered, saw-chewed top rails of most sawhorses can scratch finished wood or furniture. To provide a nonmarring surface, cover 12″ (300 mm) or so at one end of the rails with some lengths of scrap carpeting. Even better, make a timber cap for each sawhorse and cover its top with carpet. Then [...]
