Shop Tips
Here's a nice big assorted but unsorted assembly of handy everyday shop & home tricks, tips and ideas. They're items I've collected over the years, and they range from "conventional wisdom" to suggestions from FRETS.COM readers, to goofy techniques I've invented for myself.
Enjoy!
| Sock Handle | |
| CD Paint Brush Can Cover | |
| Japanese Hand Saws | |
| Wax for Lubricating Saw Blades | |
| Pocket Knife | |
| Diamond Pocket Hone | |
| Air Blow Gun | |
| File Cleaning Trick | |
| Drilling Perfectly Clean Holes | |
| Clock Marker | |
| Disc Sander Cover | |
| Glue Thermometer | |
| Magnetic Fence | |
| Salad Tong Finger Saver | |
| Old Kitchen Knives | |
| Cutting Sandpaper | |
| Soundhole String Retainer | |
| Epoxy Leftovers | |
| Small File Handles | |
| String Crank | |
| Stain Palette | |
| Cotton Swab | |
| Portion Cups | |
| File Scraper | |
| Palette Knife Extension | |
| Saddle Contour | |
| Touch Up Lacquer Bottle | |
| Recycle Beverage Can | |
| Micrometer | |
| Toothbrushes | |
| Disc Sander Safety | |
| Hemostats | |
| Compressed Air Lines | |
| Wine Cork Knife Point Protector | |
| Chisel Drawer Dividers | |
| Bent File Chisel | |
| Screwdriver Chisel | |
| Acetone Finish Test | |
| Bevel Fret Slot | |
| Solvent Cap Dispensing Cup | |
| Packing for Travel | |
| Pickup Brace Damage | |
| Coloring Glue | |
| Cutting Paper on Band Saw | |
| Quick Grip Brace Jack | |
| Wedge F-hole Clamp | |
| Guitar Wall Hanger | |
| Half Pencil | |
| Straw Pipette Extender | |
| X-brace Top Wrinkle | |
| Paper Pad Mixing Palette | |
| Fluorescent Replacement Bulbs | |
| Swing Arm Lamps | |
| Packing Pegheads | |
| Bridge Clamping Caul - External | |
| Threaded Clamp Foot | |
| Masking Tape for Indexing Bridge | |
| Rubber Band Tuner Grommet Retainer | |
| Belt Sanding Celluloid | |
| Sharp Nut | |
| Side Crack Reinforcement | |
| Dry Pigment Sorting Block | |
| Paper Grain Direction | |
| Modify Drill Bit for Cutting Wood | |
| Fret Pullers Pull Other Things | |
| Heavy Duty Push Sticks | |
| Single Edge Razor Blades | |
| Acid Brushes | |
| Plastic Stretch Wrap for Tool Protection | |
| Bit Holder Blocks | |
| Cross Grain Sanding | |
| Truth in Labeling | |
| Plastic Wrap Glue Resist | |
| Cut Acid Brush | |
| Stretch Wrap Masking | |
| Spray Can Cap | |
| Spray Can Nozzle | |
| Kitchen Paring Knife for Shop Utility | |
| Powerless Belt Sanding | |
| Drill Index | |
| Grinder Support | |
| Leather Pliers Grip | |
| Paper Towel Holder | |
| Newspaper Drawer Liner | |
| File Handle | |
| Recycle Condiment Bottle | |
| Diagonal Cutter Selection | |
| Fatigue Mat | |
| Credit Cards | |
| PVC Shop Vacuum Tool | |
| String Retainer String | |
| Hex Wrench Rack Improvement | |
| Power Tool Casters | |
| Eyes and Ears | |
| Soft Vise Jaw Pads | |
| String | |
| Layout on Metal | |
| Storing Long Electrical Cords | |
| Hanging Coil Hoses | |
| Cutting Aluminum | |
| "Candling" Guitar Tops to See Brace Locations | |
| Locating and Tracing Braces with Magnets | |
| Foil Protection for Reamers | |
| Dry Sandpaper Lube | |
| Mixing Epoxy without Bubbles | |
| Spray Lube Siphon Tube Reinforcement | |
| Paper Towel Half Sheets | |
| Dusting Brush Modification | |
| Cutting Screws and Bolts | |
| Catalog Sale Flyers | |
| Gluing Bin Boxes | |
| Hacksaw | |
| Link Belt | |
| Freehand Band Saw Technique | |
| The Key Hole | |
| Ceiling Posters | |
| Magnetic Screwdriver | |
| Wide Disposable Brush | |
| Veneer Cutting on Band Saw | |
| Finding Center by Balance | |
| Hacksaw Duplicate Parts | |
| Chuck Key Magnet | |
| File Card for Cleaning Saw Blade | |
| Calculator Bag | |
| Door Storage | |
| Magnetic Pocket Screw Holder | |
| Paint Can Lid | |
| Quick Tape Strap for Sensitive Items | |
| Shop Vac Hose Strain Relief | |
| Coiling a Band Saw Blade | |
| Oil Spill Cleanup | |
| Wood Parallels | |
| Masking Tape Handles | |
| Wedges | |
| Tethered Door Stop Wedges | |
| Long Air Hoses | |
| Soda Straw Parts Storage | |
| Hanging Holes for Tools | |
| High Item Picker | |
| Tool Index Wood Infill | |
| Cardboard Drawer Liner | |
| Waste Basket Bungee | |
| Tool Covers | |
| Bungee | |
| Magnetic Bit Storage Drawer | |
| Platform Ladder | |
| Magnetic Tool Pickup | |
| Kitchen Hero - Cutting Board | |
| Kitchen Hero - Diamond Hone | |
| Photographs for insurance | |
| Unscrew Container Safely | |
| Little Boxes - Get Rid of Lid | |
| Swivel Casters for Tool Cabinets | |
| "Temporary" tool stands | |
| Tool Drawer Dividers | |
| Rope Trick: Cutting | |
| Broom Handle | |
| Hand Drill Countersink | |
| Using Digital Calipers | |
| Identifying Metric Hex Keys | |
| Dremel Carbide Cutoff Wheel | |
| Fence Hand Safety | |
| Empty Bin Boxes | |
| Cutting Bin Boxes | |
| Camphor | |
| Decant Epoxy to Avoid Quick Reaction | |
| Epoxy Mixing on File Folder "Palette" | |
| Wood Screw Pilot Drill Size | |
| Reverse Switch Safety Bolt | |
| Keyless Chucks | |
| Work Glove Storage Rack | |
| Cutting Spring on Grinder | |
| Stacking Tool Cabinet Bottoms | |
| Label Those Drawers | |
| Extra Drill Chuck | |
| Sauce Pan | |
| Ball End Hex Wrench | |
| Poly Bottle Bottom for Parts Washing Basin | |
| Square Bottle Bottom for Parts Drawer Bins | |
| Screws in Jars | |
| Salvage Hardware Drawer | |
| Cutting Long Cardboard Tubes | |
| Repetitive Length Cutting on Band Saw | |
| Mark Up Your Ruler | |
| Plastic Containers and Solvents | |
| Bin for Wood Scraps | |
| Scrap Bin Cover | |
| Scrap Bin Triage | |
| Ball Peen Hammers | |
| Old Rags to Prevent Under Bench Hunting | |
| Storing Magetic pickup tools | |
| Duct Tape Mallet | |
| Cut Down Old Paint Brush | |
| Plastic Bag Makes Emergency Glove | |
| Break a File to Make Short Ones | |
| Magnets to Hold V-Block | |
| Steel Rules May Have Poorly Cut Ends | |
| Buy Files by the Box | |
| Battery Charger Maintenance | |
| Extending Cable Ties | |
| Miter Gauge Alignment | |
| Recycle Paint Thinner | |
| Spray Can Freshness Reminder | |
| Pipette Sealing Trick | |
| Cookie Sheet Chip Pan | |
| Extension Cord Strain Relief | |
| Super Glue "String Needle" | |
| Heavy Duty Extension Cords | |
| Magnetic Book Hangup | |
| Paint Special Tool Handles for Identification | |
| Hang up those brooms | |
| Wood V-Blocks | |
| Miter Gauge Rip Fence | |
| Writing on Saw Table | |
| Saw Table Wax Lube | |
| Toilet Paper | |
| Dispensing Paint | |
| Cutting Short Pieces on Band Saw | |
| Recyled Cardboard Box Tote | |
| Phonograph Needle Scriber | |
| Wall Mounted Tin Can Tool Holders | |
| Dental Floss Sewing Thread | |
| Cut Paper Towel Roll | |
| Hand Tool Oiler for Rust Protection | |
| Tool Instructions Taped Inside Drawers | |
| Forstner Bits in Aluminum | |
| No-Mess Spill Wiping | |
| Roll Wrapper as Spill Wiper | |
| Shop Rags from Bed Sheets | |
| Cutting Shop Rags on the Band Saw | |
| Rubber and Vinyl Mats on Concrete Floors | |
| Tape for Removing Splinters | |
| Cutting Steel Wool Pads | |
| Paint Can Lid Installation | |
| Pouring from Gallon Cans | |
| Cutting Clear Plastic on the Band Saw | |
| Masking Tape Dispenser | |
| Toothpick Brush | |
| Bailing Wire Spool Retainer | |
| Twisting Wire | |
| Penetrating Epoxy Sealer | |
| Remove that Acrylic Plastic Protective Sheet | |
| Hex Key Cheater Bar | |
| Sand Bags | |
| Label Special Tools and Fixtures | |
| Masking Tape Storage | |
| Paraffin lube for Band Sawing Aluminum | |
| Special Push Sticks | |
| Paper Towel Core for Cord Storage | |
| Skinny "Paintbrush Broom" | |
| Blow out Shop Apron Pockets | |
| Buy Good Hacksaw Blades | |
| Grind the "Set" from Blades to Get Narrow Kerf | |
| Convertible Step Stool | |
| Photograph Your Work | |
| Sweep the Floor | |
| Tool Cabinet "Breadboard" Shelf | |
| Hang Goggles Near Tools | |
| Mark Edges to be Cut | |
| Garbage Can Table Top | |
| Magnetic Spray Can Holder | |
| Removing Box Labels | |
| Simple Dolly and Hoist to Move Heavy Items | |
| Recording Lent Tools | |
| Abrasive Paper for Sharpening Chisels | |
| Close the Gap on Grinding Wheel Tool Support | |
| Keep Band Saw Blade Guide Low | |
| Used Engine Oil for Shop Duty | |
| Shop Vac Hose Hanger | |
| Grinding Center Punch Point | |
| Pilot Drill Size for Large Drill Bit | |
| Reverse Drilling to Enlarge Hole | |
| Drill Clamp Feet for Accessories | |
| Glass Microscope Slide Scraper | |
| Bubble Wrap Packing Trick | |
| Cold Chisel Safety Tip | |
| A Really Simple Drill Guide | |
| Drill Press Center Finder | |
| Split Point Drill Bits | |
| Variable Pitch Band Saw Blade | |
| Guitar Strings for Other Uses | |
| Cyanoacrylate Catalyst Bottle | |
| Mangetic Holder for Small Parts | |
| Drilling Cotton Buffs | |
| Diamond Grinding Wheel Dresser | |
| Heat to Remove Sticky Labels | |
| Paint Metric Wrenches | |
| Stackable Cottage Chees Containers | |
| Aligning Wood Screw Slots | |
| Drilling Round Things | |
| Screw Machine Length Drills | |
| Relief Cuts on Bandsaw | |
| Cross Cutting Long Board on Band Saw | |
| Glue Quick Grip Pads | |
| Resealing Caulk Cartridges | |
| Cyanoacrylate as Wood Sealer | |
| Messy Milling Project | |
| Drill Press Can Cut You When it's Turned Off | |
| Get a Big Vise | |
| Friendly Plastic Ergonomic Handles | |
| Mount Stuff on Cabinet Doors | |
| Wall Bumper Near Electrical Plugs | |
| Keep Dustpan in Trash Can | |
| Ice for Cooling at the Grinder | |
| Making Heavy Twine from Thin | |
| Ice Cube Tray Parts Storage | |
| Cable Ties for Hanging Tools | |
| Cleaning Measuring Tapes | |
| CD-ROM Cannister for Tape Storage | |
| Split Rivets | |
| Impact Driver | |
| Repetitive Bandsaw Cuts | |
| Old Shower Curtain as Tarp | |
| Replace Thumbscrews on Machines | |
| Have a Little Fun | |
| Magnetic Wrench Holders for Power Tools | |
| Measuring Centers on Uneven Sizes | |
| Reconditioning Sharpening Stones | |
| Magnetic Tool Holders for Drawers | |
| Improvised Masking Tape Bandage | |
| Lok-Line as Flexible Support | |
| Clamping with Drill Press | |
| Camera Tripod Stabilizing Weights | |
| Computer Labels for Drawers and Boxes | |
| Extra Casters for Welding Cart | |
| Use Long Screwdrivers | |
| Soaking Parts in Solvent | |
| Making Safe Edge Files | |
| Cut Cans for Shop Use | |
| Magnets for Bending in Vise | |
| Non Matching Handles are Best | |
| Steel Strap Shim Stock | |
| Stretch Wrap to Secure Solvent Labels on Cans | |
| Mark Pipette Graduations | |
| Keep a Shopping List | |
| Label Unusual leftover Hardware | |
| Magnet to Hold Abrasive Strips on Lathe | |
| Handle to Replace Thumb Screw | |
| Magnet Holds Water Bath on Grinder | |
| Magnets Hold Drill Index on Drill Press Table | |
| Label Grit on Sanding Belts | |
| Mouse Pads for Drawer Liners | |
| Cutting Shallow Notches on Band Saw | |
| Clearing Dispenser Bottle Opening | |
| Faucet Washer as Tool Foot | |
| Diamond Grinding Wheel Dresser | |
| Tubing for Grinder Support of Thin Pieces | |
| Ring Testing Grinding Wheels | |
| Support Thin Stock for Drilling | |
| Digital Caliper as Tweezer | |
| High Speed Steel Taps | |
| Plastic Bag Thread Protection for Jars | |
| Shop Vac Sock | |
| Bandsaw Thin Stock on Edge | |
| Shop Towel Identification | |
| Pennies are Worth Having | |
| Bag Loose Wires and Cables | |
| Pizza Boxes | |
| Timer for Heat and Fan | |
| Cardboard Floor Mats | |
| Chip Curtain | |
| Cigarette Papers | |
| Age Date Glue Containers | |
| Don't Crumple Old Notes | |
| T-Shirt Tool Cover | |
| Liquid Hand Cleaner | |
| Shop Shelving | |
| Foot Control for Bench Vise | |
| Adjustable Wrench as Caliper | |
| Milk Carton Drawer Bins | |
| Long Bin Boxes on Narrow Shelves | |
| Pencil Sander | |
| Garage Sale Items Can Have Interesting Uses | |
| Hanging Rag Storage | |
| Note Holder at the Door | |
| Simple Upgrade for Quick Grip Clamps | |
| Keep Project Inspirations Handy | |
| Mark Source and Cost on Stock | |
| Label the Size of Staples in Your Staple Gun | |
| Easy Handle for Small Heavy Stock | |
| Check Steel Before Filing | |
| Paint with Your Socks | |
| Centering a Drill on Round Stock | |
| Impromptu Large Hex Key | |
| Cutting "Half a Kerf" on the Band Saw | |
| Squeeze the Last Bit out of a Glue Tube | |
| Use a Copier for Quick "Drawings" | |
| 388 | Measuring Over a Ledge |
| Clean up "Spun" Drill Bit Shanks | |
| Changing the Zero Point on Graduated Dials | |
| Dispensing Small Amounts from Spray Can | |
| Paint Can Opener | |
| Broken Files are Handy in Close Quarters | |
| Buy Small Containers of Some Stuff to Save Money | |
| 395 | Kitchen Towels Have Four Lives |
| Solvent "Recycling" Trick | |
| Still Hung Up on Rags | |
| Simple Leather Finger Saver | |
| Stud Reminder | |
| How Much is Left in That Paint Can? | |
| Storing Spare Parts for Machines | |
| 402 | Label Adjustment of tools or Gauges |
| 403 | Simple Grinder Safety |
| 404 | Lubricate Wood Screws |
| 405 | Break the Corner for a Tight Fit |
| 406 | Weak Thread Locking Compound |
| 407 | Rope Burn Trick |