Keeping woodworking tools clean and well maintained doesn't always require specialized equipment. A few common shop supplies can make routine jobs like replacing sanding discs, cleaning brushes, removing pitch, and sweeping up considerably easier.
Here are four reader-submitted Woodsmith tips for simplifying shop maintenance and cleanup.
1. Remove an Adhesive Sanding Disc with Acetone
Removing a worn adhesive-backed sanding disc can be frustrating when the adhesive refuses to let go. Elliot Fairchild of Stanwood, Washington, uses a little acetone and a putty knife to make the job easier.
With the machine disconnected from power, Elliot starts by applying a small amount of acetone along the edge of the disc where he plans to begin peeling.
He works a putty knife under the disc and slowly begins peeling it away. As he encounters resistance, he applies a little more acetone to help release the adhesive.
Once he's about halfway across the disc, Elliot rotates it and starts from the opposite side. Working toward the center makes the old sanding disc much easier to remove.
Woodsmith Tip: Acetone is highly flammable and produces strong vapors. Work in a well-ventilated area away from flames, sparks, heat, and other ignition sources, and follow the solvent manufacturer's handling instructions. Before using acetone on a sander, also make sure it's compatible with the disc and platen materials.
Shop tip submitted by Elliot Fairchild, Stanwood, Washington.
2. Suspend a Finish Brush While It Soaks
Soaking a brush in the appropriate cleaning solvent can loosen finish trapped in the bristles. But Phil Nguyen of Columbus, Ohio, found that simply standing a brush on the bottom of the container creates another problem.
The weight of the brush can deform the bristles, and loosened finish and debris tend to collect at the bottom of the jar.
Phil's solution is to suspend the brush in the cleaning solution.
He drills a small hole through the brush handle and slips a dowel through it. The dowel rests across the rim of the container, positioning the bristles in the liquid without allowing them to rest on the bottom.
This keeps the bristles suspended while the cleaning solution does its job.
Woodsmith Tip: Use the cleaner recommended for the finish you're removing. When working with flammable solvents, provide adequate ventilation, eliminate ignition sources, and follow the manufacturer's instructions for use, storage, and disposal.
Shop tip submitted by Phil Nguyen, Columbus, Ohio.
3. Remove Pitch from a Band Saw Blade
Resawing resinous woods like pine can leave a surprising amount of pitch on a band saw blade. As the buildup increases, keeping the blade clean can become another routine maintenance task.
Phil O'Rourke of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, discovered that an abrasive cleaning stick does a good job of removing the buildup.
After noticing how much pitch had accumulated while resawing pine, Phil tried the cleaning stick and found that it removed nearly all of the buildup from the blade.
Woodsmith Tip: Clean the blade only with the band saw switched off, unplugged, and the blade completely stationary. Follow the blade and saw manufacturers' recommendations for blade cleaning and maintenance, and protect your hands from the blade's teeth.
Shop tip submitted by Phil O'Rourke, Pittsfield, Massachusetts.
4. Use Magnets to Hold a Trash Bag Open
Cleaning sawdust from a machine or work surface can feel like a three-handed job: One hand for the brush, two for holding open the trash bag.
James Scyrkels of Grants, New Mexico, lets a pair of magnets handle the bag instead.
James uses welding magnets to secure the edge of a trash bag to a metal table or other magnetic surface. The magnets hold the mouth of the bag open, leaving both hands available for cleanup.
Welding magnets work well because they're large and easy to keep track of, but other sufficiently large magnets can accomplish the same thing.
Woodsmith Tip: Keep magnets away from areas where they could interfere with electronics or accidentally become mixed into the debris being discarded.
Shop tip submitted by James Scyrkels, Grants, New Mexico.
Easier Woodworking Tool Maintenance and Shop Cleanup
Regular maintenance helps keep woodworking tools ready for the next project, but the process doesn't need to be complicated. A little acetone can help release a stubborn adhesive sanding disc, suspending a brush protects its bristles during cleaning, an abrasive cleaning stick can remove pitch from a band saw blade, and a pair of magnets makes routine cleanup easier.
Simple ideas like these can take some of the frustration out of maintaining a busy woodworking shop.
