Hot Tips Vol. 4

These tips are compiled from various publications. Suitability of use is up to the individual, and of course- TEST BEFORE IMPLEMENTING!

Sawblade harmonics causing problems? For a temporary set of sawblade stabilizers, use the outside blades from a smaller stack dado set to flank the suspect blade.

Bake dowel pins in a 200 degree oven for several hours to yield some adjustability when assembling joints. During glue-up, they swell from contact with any glue that contains water and will lock the joint tight.

Using 1/4" or thicker clear acrylic plastic as a clamp batten permits visual observation of veneer patches or other critical assemblies while applying pressure, and will also reject the glue's tendency to stick to it.

Pallet timbers can often be a good source of hardwood burls. The interlocking grain makes hardy and enduring mallet heads that withstand repeated blows; also too, it makes interesting stock for woodturning.

Grind one of the spurs on a lathe center like so : the double bite mark indicates the correct remount position if workpiece removal is needed.

Retouch dull bandsaw teeth if a new blade is unavailable. Unplug saw, remount blade with teeth hooks facing up, use a high speed rotary tool, like a Dremel, to stone the hook and top of each tooth. A simple block of wood helps to hold the tool at a right angle to the blade since no complex angles are needed.

Pre-score melamine or veneered surfaces to reduce chipout when sawing. Set the table saw fence to desired width, and bring the blade to just proud of the surface. Pass the work over the blade, making dots with the teeth. Place a straightedge along the marks and score to make a relief cut.

In a pinch, machine-screw threaded eyebolts can serve as knobs and as a bonus, they can be further tightened by using a dowel or screwdriver shank as a cross handle.

Scarfing is an effective way to lengthen a wood member by adding more stock using a tapered angle as opposed to a lap joint. The minimum ratio is 8:1 if epoxy is used- example: 4 inches long for a 1/2" thickness, or 12:1 for regular wood glues- example: 6 inches long for a 1/2" thickness.

Carry a short cutlist on your tape measure; remove the center label and glue in a circle of plastic laminate for a wipe-off writing surface.

Ensure proper glue curing temperature for small projects in a cold shop by draping the work with an electric blanket. Additional regular blankets may help in extreme cold, but monitor closely so as not to allow a potential fire hazard to develop.

Got an insect problem in your furniture piece? Many whole-house fumigators- the specialists that tent and gas- will let you place the problem inside a structure they're fumigating for a reasonable fee, ensuring a thorough purgation.

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