Some of the most useful improvements in a woodworking shop take only a few minutes. You don't need to build a new jig or buy a specialized accessory every time you encounter a small problem.
In this collection of Woodsmith Quick Tips, four readers share simple solutions for keeping safety glasses clean, holding small parts during finishing, applying even clamping pressure, and eliminating play in a table saw miter bar.
1. Keep Safety Glasses Dust-Free in a Wall-Mounted Container
Safety glasses don't do much good if you can't see through them. And in a woodworking shop, a pair left sitting on the bench can quickly collect sawdust.
Jose Correra of Austin, Texas, was tired of finding his glasses covered in dust whenever he needed them. His solution was to repurpose an empty cleaning-wipe container.
He mounted the container to his shop wall with screws, creating a convenient place to store his glasses between uses. The glasses fit neatly inside, where they're protected from settling dust.
The container also provides a handy spot to hang his hearing protection, keeping two essential pieces of shop safety equipment together.
It's a quick storage upgrade that puts an otherwise disposable container to good use.
Woodsmith Tip: Clean and dry the container before using it, and check that its opening won't scratch your glasses. Position it somewhere that's easy to reach before starting a machine.
Shop tip submitted by Jose Correra, Austin, Texas.
2. Use Sticky Tack to Hold Small Parts During Finishing
Applying a finish to small parts can be tricky. You need to keep the piece steady, but clamps and other workholding methods may leave marks on surfaces you've already finished.
Marc Hopkins of Des Moines, Iowa, ran into this problem while flocking the bottoms of small chess pieces.
His solution was sticky tack — the removable adhesive putty commonly used to hold posters and other lightweight objects in place.
A small amount of tack temporarily secures each chess piece while he works. It provides enough hold for the task without requiring a clamp against the finished surface.
Once the flocking is complete, he can remove the piece from the tack.
This approach is useful for other small, lightweight parts that need to stay in position during a finishing or detail operation.
Woodsmith Tip: Test the tack on a scrap or inconspicuous finished surface first. Some putties can leave residue or affect certain finishes, particularly if they're left in place for an extended period.
Shop tip submitted by Marc Hopkins, Des Moines, Iowa.
3. Add a Tape Crown to a Clamping Caul for Even Glue-Up Pressure
When you're gluing up a large panel or assembly, a clamping caul helps distribute pressure across the workpiece. But a straight caul can sometimes apply more pressure near the clamps than at the center.
Chris Fitch of Winterset, Iowa, has a simple way to encourage more even pressure.
He layers a couple of pieces of painter's tape at the center of the board he's using as a caul. The tape creates a slight crown, so the center of the caul contacts the workpiece first.
As he tightens the clamps, the caul begins applying pressure at the center and then distributes it outward.
It's a quick modification that doesn't require shaping a permanent curve into the caul.
Woodsmith Tip: The amount of crown needed depends on the caul's length and stiffness. Start with a small amount of tape and check the joint for even closure as you tighten the clamps. Avoid excessive pressure that could bow the assembly.
Shop tip submitted by Chris Fitch, Winterset, Iowa.
4. Fix a Loose Table Saw Miter Bar with Aluminum Duct Tape
A miter gauge or shop-made sled needs to slide smoothly in the table saw's miter slot. If the bar has too much side-to-side play, however, the jig can shift during a cut and affect accuracy.
Carol Holly of Grand Rapids, Michigan, noticed that some manufactured miter bars fit a little loosely in her table saw's slots.
Rather than replacing the bars, she uses a strip of aluminum duct tape to take up the extra space.
The thin tape adds just enough thickness to reduce the play while allowing the bar to slide through the slot.
It's a simple adjustment that can improve the fit of a miter gauge or sled without modifying the table saw.
Woodsmith Tip: Apply tape in small increments and test the fit along the full length of the slot. The bar should move freely without binding. Check the tape periodically for wear or peeling, and keep it clear of the blade.
Shop tip submitted by Carol Holly, Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Small Fixes That Make Shop Work Easier
These four reader-submitted tips show how ordinary materials can solve specific woodworking problems. A wipes container protects safety glasses from dust, sticky tack holds small parts during finishing, painter's tape helps a caul distribute pressure, and aluminum tape improves the fit of a loose miter bar.
They're quick improvements you can try without spending much time or money — and they might give you a few ideas for solving other little frustrations around your shop.
