You don't always need a specialized product to solve a problem in the workshop. A pencil can help a miter gauge slide more freely, a few PVC fittings can keep a workpiece off the bench, and leftover plastic laminate can make clamp cleanup easier.
In this collection of Woodsmith Quick Tips, three readers share simple ways to improve tool operation, support projects during assembly and finishing, and keep glue off their clamps.
1. Lubricate a Sticky Table Saw Miter Gauge with Pencil Graphite
A table saw miter gauge should slide smoothly through its slot. But sawdust and friction can make the bar feel sticky, especially when the slot hasn't been cleaned in a while.
R.B. Himes of Vienna, Ohio, has a simple solution that doesn't require a can of dry lubricant.
He starts by blowing the sawdust out of the miter gauge slot. Then he takes a pencil from his shop apron and scribbles along the sides and bottom of the slot.
The pencil deposits graphite on the metal surfaces, helping the miter gauge slide more freely.
It's a handy trick when you need a little lubrication and don't have a dedicated product nearby.
Woodsmith Tip: Disconnect the saw from power before cleaning the slot. Remove debris with a brush or vacuum, and keep the pencil markings light. Check that the miter gauge bar is properly adjusted if it continues to bind.
Shop tip submitted by R.B. Himes, Vienna, Ohio.
2. Make Reusable Glue-Up and Finishing Supports from PVC Pipe
Raising a workpiece off the bench makes it easier to manage glue squeeze-out and apply finish to the edges. The supports don't need to be complicated, but they should be stable and easy to clean.
Dave Youngren of Clovis, California, makes his supports from 3/4" PVC pipe.
He cuts the pipe to the length he needs and adds a tee fitting at each end. The tee fittings prevent the pipe from rolling, allowing the supports to sit securely on the bench.
Dave can place several supports beneath a workpiece during a glue-up or finishing session. When they get covered with dried glue or finish residue, the PVC is easy to clean.
Because PVC pipe and fittings are inexpensive, it's simple to make supports in several lengths.
Woodsmith Tip: Position the supports so the workpiece won't tip or slide. Check that the PVC is compatible with the finish or solvent you're using, and let freshly applied finish dry as directed before resting a coated surface on the supports.
Shop tip submitted by Dave Youngren, Clovis, California.
3. Add Plastic Laminate to Handscrew Clamps for Easier Glue Cleanup
Wooden handscrew clamps are useful for holding awkward workpieces, but glue squeeze-out can leave their jaws covered with a sticky mess.
Jack Kreinbring of La Crosse, Wisconsin, found a way to make his clamps easier to clean.
He uses contact adhesive to attach small pieces of plastic laminate to the jaw faces. The laminate provides a smooth surface that resists glue buildup, making dried glue easier to remove.
The modification is especially useful when a handscrew clamp is positioned close to a glue joint, where squeeze-out is likely to reach the jaws.
Woodsmith Tip: Apply the laminate to clean, flat jaw faces and allow the contact adhesive to cure according to its instructions. Keep the laminate edges smooth, and check that the modified jaws still grip the workpiece securely. Use protective pads when clamping delicate or finished surfaces.
Shop tip submitted by Jack Kreinbring, La Crosse, Wisconsin.
Simple Shop Upgrades for Smoother Work
These three reader-submitted tips show how common materials can make everyday woodworking tasks easier. Pencil graphite helps a miter gauge slide smoothly, PVC pipe creates reusable workpiece supports, and plastic laminate keeps handscrew clamp jaws easier to clean.
Each idea is inexpensive and straightforward to adapt to your own workshop.
