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, [...]
How wide is it? Boxed in: If you don’t have a folding rule with a metal extension bar, you can still accurately measure inside a [...]
Bull’s eye Making the curve: Drilling a hole on a curved surface, such as molding, can be tricky because the bit has a tendency to [...]
Got it straight? Let your finger do the work: When scribing a straight line near the edge of a board, use your finger as a [...]
Chisel it away Hold it straight: To create a neat cut when making a stopped housing, mortise or dovetail joint, the chisel must be held [...]
Router rules Which way to go? When it comes to moving a router, the basic rule is: left to right as you face the cut. [...]
Avoiding splinters Here’s the bad side: Cutting plywood across the grain can create a splintered edge on one side of the board. This won’t matter [...]
Handling the paper Curling clues: Abrasive paper will curl up and crack if it’s left lying around. To keep the paper from curling, place a weight on it. Or store the paper in the freezer so that heat and humidity won’t affect the adhesive holding the abrasive to the paper. Flexing paper: Abrasive paper is [...]
The basics Dos and don’ts: Here are some pointers to keep in mind when you’re clamping: 1: Don’t rely on clamps to pull together a poorly fitting joint. Glue and pressure may hold things together for a while, but in the long run the joint will fail. Plane or sand the pieces until they fit [...]
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 [...]
