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Little Shop Tricks
Extension Chork Knots
To prevent chords from
separating as you work in the shop, simply tie a knot with the 2
chords being used and then plug the 2 chords together. Since the
strain is on the knot, the two chords will not come apart.
Prevent Splitting Wood
When driving a nail
into wood that is likely to split, turn the nail upside down and
blunt its point with your hammer. The flattened nail tip is less
likely to split the wood. 
Soap Trick
Before trying to hammer in a nail or put a new screw into
something, try this little trick.
Push the nail or screw
through an old bar of soap. The nail or screw will drive easier and
it won’t split the wood!
Can't Loosen A Screw?
Try this easy trick that always works! Just heat up the tip
of your screwdriver and try again. It will come loose everytime!
Household Little Repairs
Fluorescent lights that darken may only need the ends reversed
to extend their life.
Before driving a nail into plaster, make an “X” of scotch tape
and your nail has a better chance of not splitting the plaster.
Pour a little club soda on a rusted bolt to loosen it! Ammonia
will also work.
Rule of thumb-to tighten screws, go to the right. Going to the
left loosens them!
Vinegar will cut through and loosen old glue.
Kerosene or glycerin on the blade will make hand-sawing easier.
Templates
Templates are used for jobs such as
working out pattern ideas of fascias or cabinet bases, and working
with moldings. Save some notepad backs and/or cardboard from dress
shirts to use as easy templates. They are easily cut with a utility
knife or just scissors.
Untangle Power Chords
Do your power tool chords get tangled during projects in the
shop? Install a few large, vinyl-covered, screw-in bicycle hooks
overhead into your ceiling joists. Just loop the tool’s chord onto a
hook and go to work without any mess.
Dry Tape
Reached for the masking, duct, or electrical tape to find it
dried out again? Try storing tape in a covered metal coffee can.
This should help remedy this problem.
Glue
A
common mistake many beginning woodworkers make is to apply too much
glue to wood boards they are trying to join. Using less glue will
actually give you a much stronger glued joint.
Toenailing
To increase a nail's holding
power( the resistance to pullout), drive the nail in at an angle.
Cedar Shavings
Save any sawdust and shavings
from cedar used in your workshop. Cedar is a natural insect
repellent and is effective against fleas. Shavings and sawdust can
be used for your dog’s pillow!
Organizers
When taking apart objects with many small parts use old egg
cartons or muffin tins as your organizers. Label contents with a
grease pencil or felt-tip marker.
Dust Collection
To catch dust that is created when drilling or sawing into
plaster or drywall, masking tape a paper bag to the wall directly
beneath where you are going to be working. Just pull the bag from
the wall when you are done. Easy cleanup!
Mini-Clamps
Need some small but strong clamps for small scale
woodworking projects, (or perhaps making models)? Try some wooden
clothespins using either end, whichever works for your particular
project.
Two Necessary Tools!
You only need
two tools; WD-40 and duct tape. If it doesn’t move and it should,
use WD-40. If it moves and shouldn’t, then use the duct tape!
Propane Torch Holder
To prevent accidental
tipping of your propane torch you can make a quick and simple
holder. Get a piece of wood and bore a 3 inch hole through it. Add a
¼ in. plywood bottom to holder. You can also make a spot for the
sparker ,( 1 3/8 in.hole, drilled 1 ½ in. deep).
Save
Those Old Socks
Don't toss out those old socks quite
yet! Instead, wash them and put them to use in the shop. When worn
on your hand, an old sock is great for rubbing down or polishing a
finish. You can also wipe any excess stain off your wood. Then when
done with your project, throw them away.
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