Plastic Tool Protectors
Plastic blister packs can feel nearly impossible to get into at times, which gave me an idea. After cutting off a few pieces with a good pair of scissors, I folded the plastic pieces to use as blade protectors for my chisels in their tool rolls. Those plastic pieces are tough enough to keep the corners from cutting into the roll and the tips protected from any dings or bumps. -Jim Koepke, Longview, Washington
Steel Gripper Push Block.
Mark A. Williams of Sparta, WI works with rough-sawn lumber a lot, which means time with the jointer — and push blocks. However, the rubber faces of standard push blocks wear out pretty fast against rough boards, and they don’t grip the wood all that well. Instead, he uses truss repair mending plates. The sharp points on the plate grip the board and never wear out. He attached the plate by drilling some small holes and screwing it to the push block.
Bowling Wax.
Martin Whitcomb of Divide, CO was having an issue with his wood handles. After a good deal of work, the varnish would get sticky from his sweat and raised blisters on his hands. However, removing the varnish and refinishing with bowling alley wax created a smooth, pleasant handle. The wax dries hard and it’s water resistant. He reapplies the wax every few years, and the finish only improves with time. Today he does this with every wood handled tool he has.
