Recent Shop Tips Stories

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  Workshop tip: Tired of dropping your arbor nut? Add a magnet

  February 4, 2021

  A rare-earth magnet on the end of the arbor saves you from searching for a dropped nut.

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  Workshop tip: Heat-shrink tubing makes clamp handles easy to grip

  January 28, 2021

  It's inexpensive and makes handles larger and grippier.

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  A couple neat things to keep around the shop

  January 26, 2021

  Homasote and leather are great ways to make work surfaces grippy and more forgiving.

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  Workshop tip: Adapt a pencil sharpener to make small pins

  January 22, 2021

  You can turn a small dowel by making a few changes to your carpenter's pencil sharpener.

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  Workshop tip: Use spacers to plane strips to perfect thickness

  January 14, 2021

  Spacer system handles pieces that are too short to plane safely by machine.

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  Workshop tip: Marble or granite tile is a low-cost lapping plate

  January 7, 2021

  Floor tiles are inexpensive and give you a long, flat surface.

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  Workshop tip: Use push pins to align your track saw

  December 31, 2020

  Keep both ends of a long track stable with this simple trick.

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  Workshop tip: Modular storage system adjusts to fit cargo

  December 24, 2020

  Quick-to-make, adjustable cabinets will hold a variety of tools and equipment.

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  Fire and Disposal Safety

  December 17, 2020

  To avoid finishing-related fires, follow these guidelines for the proper disposal of finishing wastes and materials.

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  Holding and Moving Work

  December 17, 2020

  Use these shop helpers as aids to trouble-free finishing.