Shop Tips

Learn tips and tricks that make your shop time more productive. Find out how to get the most out of hand tools and power tools, including your router and table saw. See tips on finishing, gluing, clamping, sharpening, layout, and more!

Bag tags bring bandsaw blade benefits

I use luggage tags with strings to help me organize my bandsaw blades.

Grind your teeth for no-stress flush cuts

While remodeling my front porch, I needed to flush-trim about 150 dowel plugs in screw holes without marring the surrounding surface.

Container on side of drill to hold bits.

Onboard bit storage for easy access

To keep a selection of bits at hand when using my drill driver, I replaced its belt clip with a plastic bit holder that came with a set of bits.

Using a peg board for a door on cabinet.

Redefining the term “hanging doors”

Sticky solution for static shock

Using PVC pipe for a dust-collection system can create static buildup. Grounding the PVC eliminates the problem, but running ground wire inside the pipe is a pain, especially if you’ve glued the joints together.

Swinging fence uses pins to hold it in place.

Swing-away solution for repeatable mitersaw cuts

For the small projects I build, this swinging fence system for my mitersaw makes repeatable cuts easy. The pivoting arm swings out of the way or can be removed and stored when it’s not needed.