A good shop tip often eliminates one small frustration from a repetitive task. Whether you're working with templates, drilling dozens of pocket holes, sanding with dust collection, or assembling furniture, a simple trick can make the process faster and more repeatable.
These four Woodsmith reader-submitted tips use inexpensive items to solve common problems around the shop.
1. Use a Pick to Remove Double-Sided Tape Backing
Double-sided tape is a convenient way to temporarily attach a woodworking template to a workpiece. Getting hold of the thin release paper, however, can sometimes take longer than applying the tape.
Tim DeKorte of Santa Maria, California, uses a small pick to make the job easier.
A dental-style pick or vinyl-weeding tool has a fine hooked tip that can catch the backing without requiring you to pick at the edge with a fingernail. Once the hook lifts a corner, the backing simply peels away.
Woodsmith Tip: Use a light touch so the pick catches only the release paper without puncturing the tape or scratching the template underneath.
Shop tip submitted by Tim DeKorte, Santa Maria, California.
2. Speed Up Repetitive Pocket-Hole Drilling
When a project requires dozens of pocket holes, eliminating even a small amount of hesitation can make the job go faster.
Russell Griesmer of West Melbourne, Florida, had a project that required drilling 96 pocket holes in 24 rails. Since he needed to use the same guide-hole location repeatedly, he came up with a simple visual and physical reminder.
Russell inserts a golf tee into the unused guide hole on his pocket-hole jig. With the unnecessary hole blocked, there's no question about which opening to use for each workpiece.
It's a simple way to make a repetitive drilling operation more efficient and reduce the chance of drilling a hole in the wrong location.
Woodsmith Tip: Repetitive operations are also a good time to use stops and reference marks. Set up the first workpiece carefully, test the arrangement on scrap if necessary, and then use the same reference surfaces for every part.
Shop tip submitted by Russell Griesmer, West Melbourne, Florida.
3. Keep a Sander Dust Collection Hose Under Control
Connecting a random-orbit sander to a dust collector or shop vacuum can greatly reduce airborne sanding dust. Unfortunately, the hose has a habit of dragging across the bench, catching on corners, or pulling against the sander as you work.
Bobby Mink of Oregonia, Ohio, uses a tarp-strap bungee and a workbench dog hole to manage the hose.
He pulls the elastic cord up through a dog hole and secures it around the dust collection hose.
The elastic support keeps the hose where Bobby wants it while still allowing enough movement to sand the workpiece. This reduces interference from the hose and lets the dust collection system do its job more effectively.
Woodsmith Tip: Don't cinch the bungee so tightly that it restricts airflow or damages the hose. Leave enough slack for the sander to move freely across the entire workpiece.
Shop tip submitted by Bobby Mink, Oregonia, Ohio.
4. Mark a Tabletop's Position with Masking Tape
Getting a tabletop perfectly positioned on its base can take some careful measuring and adjustment. Once you've got it right, you don't want to repeat the process unnecessarily.
Charles Mak of Calgary, Canada, uses masking tape to mark the tabletop's position before removing it.
Once the top is aligned exactly where he wants it, Charles places tape at the four corners to establish reference points. He can then remove the tabletop and predrill the necessary mounting holes.
When it's time for final assembly, the tape marks show exactly where the tabletop was positioned, eliminating the need to measure and align it all over again.
Woodsmith Tip: Before marking the position, verify the tabletop overhang from several reference points. Once you're satisfied with the alignment, the tape becomes a quick way to preserve that setup.
Shop tip submitted by Charles Mak, Calgary, Canada.
Simple Tricks for Faster, More Repeatable Woodworking
These four tips all eliminate little frustrations that can slow down a project. A pick makes double-sided tape easier to use, a golf tee simplifies repetitive pocket-hole drilling, an elastic strap keeps a sanding hose under control, and masking tape preserves an accurately positioned tabletop.
None requires an elaborate jig, but each can make a common woodworking task a little faster and more repeatable.
