Some woodworking problems don't require a new tool or an elaborate jig. A little masking tape, a spare milk crate, a magnet, or even an ordinary nail can provide a simple solution.
In this collection of Woodsmith Quick Tips, four readers share practical ideas for protecting glue surfaces, keeping lathe tools close at hand, checking band saw alignment, and driving a nail below the surface without damaging the surrounding wood.
1. Protect Mortises and Tenons When Prefinishing
Applying finish to individual project parts before assembly can make it much easier to reach inside corners and other difficult areas. But there's one important detail to consider: You don't want finish coating the surfaces that will eventually be glued together.
Don Filson of Lima, Ohio, uses a combination of masking tape and foam backer rod to protect his joinery during prefinishing.
He applies masking tape to exposed glue surfaces, such as tenons, and uses foam backer rod to fill mortises. The materials keep finish off the areas that need to bond during assembly.
Once the finish is complete, he removes the tape and foam, leaving clean wood ready for glue.
It's a straightforward way to get the benefits of prefinishing without compromising the strength of the joints.
Woodsmith Tip: Check that the tape and backer rod fully cover the glue surfaces before applying finish. Remove them carefully after finishing, and inspect the joinery for any finish that may have seeped underneath.
Shop tip submitted by Don Filson, Lima, Ohio.
2. Make a Quick Wall-Mounted Lathe Tool Holder
When you're working at the lathe, it's convenient to have your most frequently used turning tools close by. But leaving them scattered across a bench can create clutter, and constantly reaching for tools interrupts your workflow.
Jack Sarcone of West Des Moines, Iowa, found a simple storage solution using a spare milk crate.
He mounted the crate to the wall with screws and large washers. The crate provides a convenient place to keep his favorite turning tools within reach while he's working.
The large washers help spread the load at the mounting points, and the open design of the crate makes it easy to see and access the tools.
It's an inexpensive way to add tool storage near the lathe without building a dedicated rack.
Woodsmith Tip: Mount the crate securely to suitable wall framing and position it outside the lathe's rotating work area. Arrange the tools so sharp edges are protected and handles can't fall or be knocked loose.
Shop tip submitted by Jack Sarcone, West Des Moines, Iowa.
3. Check Band Saw Blade Alignment with a Ruler and Magnet
Getting accurate cuts from a band saw starts with a properly set up blade. If you're troubleshooting blade drift or checking the blade's alignment with the miter slot, small differences can be difficult to see.
Antonio Torres of Ottawa Hills, Ohio, uses a 6" ruler and a rare-earth magnet to make those differences easier to spot.
He attaches the ruler to the side of the band saw blade with the magnet. The ruler extends beyond the blade, providing a longer reference surface for checking its alignment relative to the miter slot.
That longer reference makes a slight angular difference easier to see, helping Antonio evaluate his blade setup.
The idea is simple: A small alignment error becomes more noticeable when you extend the reference line.
Woodsmith Tip: Unplug the band saw before attaching the ruler or making adjustments. Remove the ruler and magnet before operating the saw. Blade drift can also be affected by blade condition, tension, guide setup, and cutting technique, so this alignment check is one part of troubleshooting—not a universal cure for drift.
Shop tip submitted by Antonio Torres, Ottawa Hills, Ohio.
4. Use a Square Nail as a Nail Set
Sometimes a nail needs just a few more taps to sit below the surface, but continuing to strike it directly with a hammer risks denting the surrounding wood.
Tim Shaffer of Kiefer, Oklahoma, encountered this problem when he needed to finish driving a nail. His metal punch wasn't a good fit for the job because it could glance off the nail head.
Fortunately, he had a square nail handy.
The square nail's flat, narrow tip provided a contact surface that allowed him to drive the original nail farther into the wood without bringing the hammer face against the workpiece.
A few controlled blows were all it took.
Woodsmith Tip: A purpose-made nail set is generally the preferred tool for countersinking nails. If using this improvised method, make sure the square nail's tip seats securely against the fastener and keep your fingers clear of the hammer.
Shop tip submitted by Tim Shaffer, Kiefer, Oklahoma.
Simple Woodworking Tricks Worth Keeping in Mind
These four tips demonstrate how everyday materials can solve specific problems in the shop. Masking tape and foam protect glue surfaces during finishing, a milk crate provides convenient lathe tool storage, a ruler helps reveal band saw alignment differences, and a square nail offers an improvised way to set a fastener.
They're small ideas, but each can make a particular woodworking task a little easier.
