Collect filler wood dust
I find that the best method for repairing cracks and holes in projects is to use a paste made of sanding dust and glue (CA or epoxy) as a filler. The trick is in collecting enough fine dust from the species of wood that I need. My solution is to add a screen I made from 1/2” mesh hardware cloth over the dust collection port behind my lathe. Then I cover this with a single ply of paper towel. After turning it round, I run the lathe in reverse and sand a scrap of whatever species I happen to need. In a matter of minutes, I have enough dust collected on the towel to make my filler.
Bill Wells
Olympia, Washington
Tiered bit holes
I was recently outfitting the drawers in my router table to hold my growing collection of bits. After pondering whether to drill more 1/4” or 1/2” holes, it occurred to me that I didn’t have to decide. I could simply drill each hole twice: the first time making a somewhat shallow cut with a 1/2” bit, then the second time a deeper cut with a 1/4” bit. Now I can store bits with similar profiles next to each other without having to worry about what size shank they have. I have since learned that MicroJig makes a stepped router bit that does this all in one go.
Janelle Watson
Spruce Pine, North Carolina
Flush trimming plugs
For as simple a task as it is, trimming plugs flush to a surface can be surprisingly frustrating. If you try to chisel off the excess, the plug frequently tears out beneath the surrounding surface, yet if you try to saw it off, you risk scarring that same surface. To reduce that possibility, I drill a hole slightly larger than the plug through an expired credit card. Then I use the card as a mask to protect the surrounding surface as I saw off the excess plug. That accomplished, it is a simple matter to scrape, sand, or pare what little remains of the excess flush.
Jeff Peters
Redgranite, Wisconsin
Zip clamps
I make a lot of bandsaw boxes. Clamping these irregular shapes to close up the saw kerfs can be a challenge. Both bungee cords and zip ties (or a combination thereof) make excellent and inexpensive clamps. Simply wrap the appropriate combination of these two common hardware store items around your workpiece and cinch them tight. In the event the joint doesn’t close, you may be able to add a bit of scrap or a cutoff to direct pressure where it is needed.
Ken Peters
Spring Hill, Florida
