A useful shop upgrade doesn't always require building a complicated jig or buying a specialized tool. Sometimes a piece of hardware or a tool you already own can do the job.
In this collection of Woodsmith Quick Tips, two readers share clever ideas for adding workholding options to a bench and setting finish nails in trim.
1. Make Workbench Stops from Barrel Bolts
Bench stops are handy when you need to keep a workpiece from sliding while planing, sanding, or performing other hand-tool tasks. But you don't always need to install a traditional bench stop to gain another workholding option.
Serge Duclos of Delson, Quebec, attaches barrel bolts to the sides of his workbench to serve as additional stops.
The sliding bolt provides a simple, retractable point of support. When he needs a stop, he extends the bolt. When it's not needed, he slides it back out of the way.
It's an inexpensive way to add workholding options using readily available hardware.
Woodsmith Tip: Mount the barrel bolts securely and position them to suit the work you do at your bench. Check that the extended bolts won't damage the workpiece or interfere with your tools.
Shop tip submitted by Serge Duclos, Delson, Quebec.
2. Use an Automatic Center Punch to Set Finish Nails
A traditional nail set helps drive finish nails below the surface of wood so their heads can be concealed with filler. But on delicate trim, a nail set can leave a larger indentation than you'd like.
David Fraser of Modjeska Canyon, California, uses an automatic center punch as an alternative.
Rather than striking a nail set with a hammer, he positions the tip of the automatic center punch on the nail head and presses until the punch activates. The tool's spring-loaded mechanism delivers the impact needed to drive the nail farther into the wood.
This gives him another option for setting nail heads while working on trim.
Woodsmith Tip: Choose a punch tip that seats securely on the nail head, and test the technique on scrap first. Use controlled pressure to avoid slipping or leaving an unwanted mark in the surrounding wood.
Shop tip submitted by David Fraser, Modjeska Canyon, California.
Simple Hardware, Handy Shop Solutions
These two reader-submitted tips demonstrate how familiar items can serve new purposes in the workshop. Barrel bolts provide retractable workbench stops, while an automatic center punch offers another way to set finish nails.
Both are straightforward ideas worth keeping in mind when you're looking for a simple solution to a common woodworking task.
