Tricks of the Trade
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A Reminder about Unplugging Safety
Safety first! This reader’s tip will help you remember that every time it’s time to shut down your tools for the day with a handy, easy to see reminder.
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How to Make a Scarf Joint
Ernie Conover explains an easy repair technique that will allow you to salvage damaged pieces, including antiques, with a simple table saw jig and some glue.
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Inexpensive Polishing Wheels for Rotary Tools
This reader has found another use for those cheap little felt furniture pads: polishing wheels for his rotary tools.
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A “Simple” Blade Cleaner
Want an easy, nontoxic way to clean your saw blades? This reader has a suggestion on what he uses in his workshop.
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Drill Press Table with a Twist
A pair of magnetic clamps helps this reader create his own handy (and mobile) drill press table.
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Plastic Banding Drawer Glides
This reader has found an extra use for the straps from shipping containers: glides for his drawers.
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Options for Drying Green Bowl Blanks
Our woodturning expert presents three methods that can speed up or improve the drying of green wood blanks.
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Cooler, Safer Grinding with a Leather Grip
When this reader has to grip small screws and bolts to grind them down to size, he turns to this trick to keep them steady and his fingers out of the way.
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How to Make Vacuum Attachment Connections Tighter
This reader, frustrated by his old vacuum connection getting loose, came up with a handy and simple solution to make them fit like new.
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VIDEO: Turning Small Hollow Forms
Ernie Conover explains his process for spindle turning small hollow forms on a lathe. Hollow form vessels make great small gifts and home decorations.
