Putty and filler

Airless container:
Filler and Putty dry out quickly when exposed to the air. To slow the drying, use a putty knife to transfer the material to a small sealable plastic bag. Seal the bag, then cut a small hole in one corner. To dispense the material, just squeeze the bag as if you were decorating a cake. When the job is done, twist the corner closed and secure it with a twist tie. Store the closed bag in the original container when it’s not in use.

Reviving Plastic Wood:
Acetone-base cellulose fibre-filler, known as Plastic Wood, also dries out quickly. To restore Plastic Wood that has begun to harden, mix in a little acetone-based nail polish remover. As long as you don’t add too much remover, the Plastic Wood will be as good as new. If, however, the material has dried out thoroughly, there’s no rescuing it.

Steel wool and brushes

Magnetic attraction:
Small pirticles of steel wool can collect on a workpiece and even become airborne as metal dust. To contain metal particles and avoid breathing metal dust, wrap a small or medium-size magnet in the wad of steel wool. As you work, periodically wipe off the magnet. When the job is done, run the magnet over the work to remove any remaining metal particles. Always wear a dust mask when working with steel.

For tight spots:
How can you rub steel wool effectively in a tight corner or a groove? Cut off the end of a plastic or rubber bicycle handlebar grip. Then sluff a piece of steel wool tightly into the opening, leaving a knot of the stuff protruding. The handle lets you apply pressure — and at the same time protects your hands.

Adjust a brush:
Here’s a way to convert an ordinary paintbrush into a small scrubbing brush. Simply wrap the bristles securely with masking tape. The closer the tape is to the tips of the bristles, the stiffer the brush will be.

Wire brush renewal:
The front section of a wire brush always wears out before the rest. To rejuvenate a worn brush, clamp it upside down in a vice and saw about 1″ (25 mm) off the brush along with the worn bristles. Another option is to snip off bent or damaged edges with a wire cutter. Cut them diagonally so the ends will be sharp. Wear eye protection when cutting.

Oil

About spouts:
To reduce the flow of oil from a spout, you need to make the opening smaller. One way to do this is to dab a little fingernail polish over the tip. When the polish is dry, reopen the spout by poking it with a pin.

Straw applicator:
You can extend the reach of an oil can by holding a straw from a broom next to the spout. Or if holding the straw is awkward, you can tape it ‘to the spout. In either case, the drops of oil will follow the broom straw to its end.

Knives In The Workshop

Restore the cutting edge of your craft knife by rubbing the blade a few times on the striking surface of a matchbox. Sharpen both sides of the cutting edge, holding the blade at the correct angle.

Quick-change artist:
Ever wished there was an easier way to change the blade in your utility knife? Take a look in hardware stores and home centres for knives that will do so with the push of a button and a twist of the wrist. No more messing around a screwdriver and then trying to line up the halves of the knife so that it works properly again.

Sharp storage ideas:
if you need to take a razor blade to a job, tear the matches out of a book of matches, insert the blade, and close the cover. Back in your workshop, you can store your razor blades in slots cut into a small scrap piece of rigid foam packing material.