Subscriber Workshop Tricks and Tips - Episode 17

[@chrisbellis4762]

Tuesday 26th January 2021 Dear Mr. Knecht Thank you so much for all your most useful tips. I your recent broadcast you showed the use of a thin strip of sandpaper drawn under your finger pressing on a piece of wood that require sanding. I am renovating a Stanley smoothing plane circa 1943 that has been much neglected. The back handle had split and the front knob, though intact was badly chipped. After glueing the back handle I need to sand it, not too easy due its shape , so I tried your sanding tip and it was superb, I rolled up a small piece of cloth in the shape of a sausage and applied the pressure via that, by not applying too much force it abraded the radius of the handle and solved my problem. I thank you for this tip, as well all your others. I enjoy watching all your broadcasts I remain your humble servant Christopher

[@MK-lh3xd]

"humble servant"? Man you are stuck in the 1800s!

[@Penster-Elle]

Every different type/colour of wood that I use, I keep a spice jar of the finest sawdust. When I need to fill a hole I just mix some with a slower setting CA Glue and you have an instant filler of the correct colour. I use a lot of exotic woods of distinct colours and find this invaluable.

[@SirWulfrick]

I do this too but always have a problem with maple. Even using maple sawdust and Tightbond 3 which is less yellow than TB2 ... it still doesn't hide well or match the wood. Do you have a better method?

[@kyleallen1858]

@@SirWulfrick add food dye

[@PIANOSTYLE100]

I make own but have used regular glue. But C A. sounds better.

[@Meeee1968]

I love the circular saw marker block idea. I'm going to use that whenever I don't have my saw guide with me, or it's not practical to use for the cut I'm making. Thanks for these tip videos Colin! I've been doing wood working for nearly 30 years, and still learn new tricks and techniques all the time.

[@DrMackSplackem]

Indeed. That's a nice jobsite-ready skill saw trick you can build on the fly. In the same vein but more precise is something I saw Tamar Hanna use for her router. It's just two pieces of plywood of some useful length, one wider than the other, and connected via a piano hinge. The least wide strip of plywood is cut to a width equal to the exact radius of your router base, so that when you want to route a channel you place that side against a line that is to be the center of where your bit is to cut through the workpiece, and clamp it down at both ends. Then, flip that segment back over on top of the wider one and you're good to go. In the ongoing attempt to maximize my facilities, I hit upon a variation that I can use for both my router (3" radius), and both sides of my el-cheapo skill saw (the distances between the sides of the base to the blade being 1" and 4", respectively). Since 1+3=4, I used two continuous hinges to make a version that works for both tools, and with the addition of a 1/2" hole in two of the 3 sections and a depth route to account for the hinge offset, it folds up nice and flat to hang up on the wall until you next need it. The only downside to my version is that for routing, you have to first flip the 1" side (skill saw) before lining up for a pass. But hey, nobody's perfect, and it is multi-tool compliant, after all!

[@frogjmon]

Hey Collin, glad you liked the circular saw tip I submitted! At the time I had used some scrap 2x4 and that works fine for a while but over time the wood will expand/shrink. I've moved onto using scraps of plywood and find it much more reliable

[@1stMrSoundguy]

Do it with two blocks but add the other side as giving a two for one

[@MRaadesign]

That trick with the parchment paper and oil based paint does work. Saw it on This Old House about 30 years ago. Another great vid. Keep up the good work.

[@TJMoore0129]

Great tip on the circular saw block. I also use the same block idea to measure boards. I place the block between my tape and the object I'm measuring off of and take my measurement. I then transfer that measurement to my board and align my speed square with that measurement. This brings my blade right to the exact measurement I need without having to fuss with aligning my saw with a mark

[@Cecil_X]

I use dedicated gauge block for a lot of tasks. I use 0.25" MDF gauge blocks for my circular saw setup. I label them, both sides, with a marker, so that I don't toss them with my scrap. The thin MDF easily stores with my saw, so they are at my fingertips whenever I pull out my saw. I have been doing this for at least 30 years and never thought to send it as a tip.

[@TimEpperson]

I love the chain idea for arcs. I watched it yesterday morning and used it twice in the afternoon. Keep up the good work.

[@andrewbieger5004]

As an alternative for jigsaw blade storage, I use the empty rectangular tubes from recip saw blades (sometimes hard to find the bulk packs), just cut down a bit. They have the plastic cap so they work great for this application, as well as storage for a few hammer drill bits in my HD case. I have also found similar, but round tubes in craft shops used to store beads any other tiny items for jewelry makers. I keep boxes of all types of unique containers to repurpose in the shop.

[@davebewshey1549]

I love the faces in your thumbnails Bud keep on spreading the knowledge and thank you

[@mhstretch]

When I use my self-centering drill bits, every time I raise the bit from the hole there is debris in the drill chamber. It is hard to clean out. So I have a cleaner hole in my assembly table, or block of wood next to me, that when I finish each hole I take the bit and drill into the cleaning hole, which clears the bit chamber. This allows me to drill the next hole with a clean bit. You have helped me, with many tips that I have found I can use. Thank you.

[@rodman0088]

i also keep my used razor blades in a prescription bottle. I like the transparent bottles. great tips!

[@chuckjohnson4048]

Christopher's idea is excellent, and if you use different jars for your upcut and downcut, your wood versus metal cutting blades, your coarse versus your fine toothed blades.

[@thealchemist5376]

The thumbnail on this clip is priceless. That's all I wanted to say.

[@christaylor751]

Great set of tips Colin, keep them coming...

[@SMee67]

Great tips guys 👌🏽 That last one with the block gauges for the circular saw is a ripper, cheers Josh.👍🏽 Thanks for sharing these, Colin. 👌🏽

[@mackenziemill]

Every time I stop by I learn. TFS, I really enjoy your channel xoxo Sandy

[@jimkeown2074]

Colin: I wonder how wax paper would work for the paint, wax paper is more common in most households. For some items like plasticgrip I use cellophane on the top of the container, and store it upside down, and that really works great every time. Love your channel, it is always the best one in the internet world.

[@LordHog]

Love the tip foe the circular saw blocks. Clever idea

[@magnusericsson]

that sandpaper tip will save my life some day!

[@horaciocastillo3082]

good tips specially the blocks for my circular saw..thanks for sharing

[@mururoa7024]

Another great tip that I found worked really well for me: I sold my circular saw and bought a track saw. 👍

[@PIANOSTYLE100]

I don't have track saw..but It would work.

[@kyleallen1858]

That skilsaw tip is GREAT

[@mikedunker5712]

don't you add the thickness of the blade [ + or - 1/8 in ]

[@ttfweb1]

I use polyethylene instead of parchment - used bags, etc. works great!

[@cindyharrison4191]

Thanks. I love the tips and tricks 😍

[@Danman1972]

That tip with the saw will work great. I have some aluminum straight edges and I don't know why, but I always measured the offset from the other side. The clamps on the bottom of it are worn out, and a pain now that plastic knobs are broken. I was thinking of making some new knobs for them, but a spacer the size I need and a quick clamps seem like a better idea and cheaper than buying some to slot camps (it has a t-slot on the bottom that you can put clamps in). Though maybe just a stop gap as I was planning on a cheap wen track saw with a possible upgrade later.

[@benfurness437]

I love that chain idea. I'm making a table top (1.5m long) for a client that I need to cut into a square ended oval shape from 40cm at the top to 60cm wide in the middle then back to 40cm and was wondering how the heck I was going to draw an arc that big... 💡 Brilliant!

[@jeanine6492]

I use cling wrap on any paint surface (and up the sides of the can too) to keep paint from drying out

[@mackenziemill]

Great tip

[@hassanal-mosawi4235]

Thanks for sharing that!

[@timberrecycling]

I'm actually glad the vinegar didn't work because I use the steel wool/vinegar stain all the time on glued pieces and this made me wonder if it would weaken the joints. I guess not! Thanks for doing these!

[@LAP1050]

Plastic wrap also works VERY WELL and it easily conforms to the circumference of the paint can...

[@jimblack5596]

I have been using the spacer block with my circular saw for a while. Works great. Ideally you can set up a jig to cut it so that it is the perfect width. It would be easy to demonstrate, but difficult to explain. You could probably figure it out with a little thought.

[@mariushegli]

I have nothing to say really, but I appreciate your content, and wish to help with the yt-algorithms.

[@harleyhawk7959]

years ago they would take a couple of stick matches stick the ends into the paint, light the match tips then put the lid back on lightly tap into the seal. the idea was the matchs use up the o2. keeps your paint good😋

[@mackenziemill]

wow I never heard of that before, thanks xoxo Sandy

[@jshedd316]

Use the same trick to get the oxygen out of the gas tank before you put your lawn mower away for the winter.

[@harleyhawk7959]

@@jshedd316 let us know how that works out for you 🤯

[@ibealion1]

@@jshedd316 To Joe's family: We're sorry we weren't able to respond soon enough to tell him it was NOT a good idea.

[@jshedd316]

We do realize that paint is flammable and sarcasm exists, right?

[@JulieV5683]

I also keep a few common drill bits in a spice jar with a flip lid.

[@mallycolmhymns]

A simpler way to avoid paint skinning on top is, once the can is closed and sealed, simply invert it and leave it standing on its lid. the paint forms a seal on the rim so air can't get in to spoil the contents.

[@mackenziemill]

Great tip xoxo Sandy

[@cmaden]

I'm not sure how this would work. Aren't you still sealing up oxygen when you put on the lid? And when you flip it, the air just moves upward to the bottom of the can when you flip it over?

[@farrier2708]

@@cmaden Yes! The skin forms on the bottom , so when you flip it back the right way up, it seems like you have a full can. Half way through the job and it's "Bugger! Another trip to the decorators merchant." ;¬))

[@wendellwampler5009]

I saw your tip keep paint from forming skin on top., why. Not just store the paint can upside down.

[@mackenziemill]

great tip xoxo Sandy

[@cfonvip5151]

That's what I'm always did an do.

[@haroldcoots8433]

There is still air in the can. The "skim layer" will now be on the bottom of the can until you shake or stir the paint.

[@cfonvip5151]

@@haroldcoots8433 That's de point! DO NOT SHAKE IT!!!! and you'll have fresh paint to use ANY TIME.

[@wolfy1beer]

I always do the same, works a great. Better than trying to grub a bit of paper out the top of the tin 👍🏻

[@Earth313n]

great Camera Position for the circular saw tip

[@_wardavewoodworks]

Hey Colin, how a bought showing these fine folks how to make a door board? The perfect jig for your skill saws.

[@j.m.castilla7150]

thanks for your videos

[@GraemePayne1967Marine]

The vinegar/water seems to soften the glue enough to use a scraper to remove the glue residue from the surface. Seems like it would have to soak for a really long time to penetrate the joint - - in that case it would be faster to just make a new part.

[@donritson3315]

I would suspect the tip was not for separating glued pieces, but rather to facilitate the removal of dried squeeze-out residue. Often an issue if you don't wipe it away completely.

[@pjflores5599]

I love the last one

[@MCsCreations]

Fantastic tips, Colin! Thanks a lot! 😊 I would spray a bit of oil inside the jar with the blades. But I would remove the paper, of course. 😊 Anyway, stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

[@1993armstrong]

I'm in the printing industry and manufacturers use the parchment or wax paper to prevent inks from skinning on top

[@squarelevelplumb]

My jigsaw blades are in a prescription bottle. Locking lid, no spillage.

[@kenerickson4923]

I just put my jig saw blades in a prescription bottle today after finding one laying on a workbench. All safely in bottle along with Allen wrenches, stored in JS case.

[@wolfman75]

Great tips!!! Thank You!!!👍😎

[@kyleallen1858]

Is there anyone cooler than Colin???? NO!!!!

[@LarryB-inFL]

I learned from a drywall person that you can preserve drywall mud in a container by putting plastic wrap over the top and letting it run up the sides a little. I would bet it would work at least as well as parchment paper on paint, too.

[@strandloper]

The parchment paper brand we get here has "This side on pan" printed on it and there is a subtle difference between the sides with one slightly more glossy. It could be that yours is the same and putting the other side on the paint surface might not have made it curl.

[@bloodgain]

This sounds like freezer paper might work even better, then.

[@huejanus5505]

I’m wondering if wax paper would work or if it would contaminate the paint.

[@le_Bizarre]

Nice tip from Josh I am always excited when a simple precision tip is explained

[@oneeyedphotographer]

Yeas ago, my wife did a glue up for her pieces of cardboard using PVA glue on an acrylic blanket. I have tried all sorts of things including vinegar to soften and remove it. None has had any effect. Not even soaking in an sky for over a week.

[@okayusa6608]

THANKS VAUGHAN

[@jorgeoyolamoreno]

Great

[@edgarshoe]

Brilliant!✌️

[@nfladamgrim]

That spice jar jig-saw blade holder is something I'll be using in my larger toolbox! Never would have though they could be the exact right size!

[@mike41062]

Really liked that circular saw "hack" where you made the track saw alternative. I'm a bit of a newbie- but wouldn't what you did be cutting the scrap piece off? Wouldn't the kerf make it so that piece is shorter than you measured it out to be? Or is it a difference that's barely noticeable?

[@michaelfairchild]

You can cut bigger circular piece of that paper and then put the cap on it locking it. I use foil on jar full of spices and then screw the cap on. Never did they dried up or got sticky.

[@peterfong8777]

Thanks 🙏

[@marcl4000]

Good trick for the parchment paper. Maybe the trick is to put the curly side of paper in contact with paint, this way it should stay in place.

[@bluegill2030]

Any tips for storage for glue? I tried a Glubot and Sony like it, have to squeeze it really hard when your low on glue

[@chrisgriffith1573]

Vinegar and water is great for taking off wallpaper, but with wood glue, it is entirely dependent on the type of wood glue you have used, most of the "type2" glues, (Tightbond II) are water resistant and will not let go. For the glue to soften, you have to get the vinegar and water solution ON it, not possible in most cases. Cut them apart, muckiest faster and cleaner.

[@stephenrichie4646]

Glue is tough. I tried to unstick some parts glued with plain old yellow wood glue once. Even soaked them overnight. No luck no how. Had to make them over.

[@jasonguerra5982]

So I might of missed something on the last tip, but if you were intending to keep the piece of wood you measured and cut off, wouldn't you need to take in to account the thickness of the blade when you're making those blocks? It appeared that your piece wood be short by the width of the blade?

[@Joe-ho6fo]

I use an empty spice or pill bottle to store used utility knife blades safely. When the bottle is full, I just throw it away safely

[@PIANOSTYLE100]

Excellent idea about the pill bottles and sharps.

[@jaybraun9113]

I think youmay have misunderstood. I understood the vinegar/water mixture to soften the glue on the surface, so that can be scraped off easier, rather than softening the glue joint.

[@johnnymccann5607]

for miniature carving blades for my diy carving knives I use my warn out Jigsaw blades. the blades are all ready tempered. cut out blades with moto tool. drill hole in center of handle, two part epoxy after shaping, sharpen.

[@planbeeapiaries]

What's the concentration of the vinegar?

[@rodritz8384]

I noticed your spice jar with jig saw blades will work with your water bottle jar storage idea from tips # 18

[@ot9180]

The weird face shots are incredible. They are endless.

[@SirWulfrick]

The chain: i make elliptical bases for things and what i do is use a closed loop of cord like a circle but instead of one center point, hammer in two nails and pull the cord taught into a triangle with the two nails and marker point, then trace an orbit around the nails. With varying lengths of cord and distance between the nails you can change the shape and size of the ellipse. Tip#2: to cover the nail holes i put in a spec of wood glue then stick in a toothpick and break it off then clean it up as necessary.

[@ibealion1]

The chain sounds much easier, but that is pretty cool.

[@SirWulfrick]

@@ibealion1 For circles, yes. For ellipses you have to have two "center points". String or chain ... whatever's lying around that doesn't stretch.

[@ibealion1]

@@SirWulfrick Ahh... I misunderstood what you were describing... very cool. I live to see/hear about new ideas people figure out.

[@HomeOfMacWoeffie]

Close your paint can verry good, and store it upside down or flip it ones slowly to provend a skin.......

[@mackenziemill]

Great tip, trick is to close it very good lol xoxo Sandy

[@HomeOfMacWoeffie]

@@mackenziemill nope to keep it on upside down......

[@Peter-976]

Glue challenge BUSTED!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@gregerlindstrand1665]

Just turn the can of paint upsidedown to prevent the skin from forming.

[@JustAnotherDayToday]

What’s the best way to remove pencil marks from soft wood like pine or Douglas fir; erasers and acetone doesn’t always work. A more invasive way is to lightly sand it off but don’t want to go the sanding route.

[@georgescott6967]

I have heard that you can use isopropanol.

[@Stephens8x6Workshop]

When a sharp marking line is not required (say for part identification or marking face edges) I use an artists 7B soft pencil. This is easily removed with an artists putty eraser.

[@captainsawdust1]

I recently read something from Franklin (makers of Titebond glue) that to fix thickened glue in bottle add a few drops of white vinegar and mix.

[@mackenziemill]

I need to give this a try, thanks xoxo Sandy

[@chrisgriffith1573]

Best tip: spacers for setting a guide board for the radial saw... unless you have a track guide already made...

[@cliffgolden5095]

Magwitchs - Kinda like to know how a magswitch can be used on a jobsite table saw?

[@johnnymccann5607]

would it break down the glue in the board?

[@kenerickson4923]

Paint and other cans are easier to reopen if you don't let liquid solidify in the rim area. I use a nail to drive holes in the rim where the lid fits. Anything that collects in the rim will drain back into the can and keep from sticking the lid onto the can. No air gets in through those holes when the lid is on. A can that is opened many times can be a pain to open if you let paint or poly dry in the rim.

[@jeghedderhenrik]

close the paint can carefully and place it upside down , when you want to use flip it back, any dry surface is now on the bottom , not on top

[@andrewr5504]

Use high strength cleaning vinegar and get it HOT. It will separate. No water just vinegar.

[@67676mony]

Nice video bro..

[@earthdog47]

the vinegar and water work on hyde glue

[@titovazquez589]

My question is What is the best wood glue . Thanks

[@DrThunder88]

A lot of baking parchment paper is coated or impregnated with silicone. I trust it's cured though, so not a fisheye hazard (I hope!)

[@mostafa-eldaly]

ممتاز

[@borys444]

Try straight vinegar no water, that should loosen up the glue no problem.

[@DrMackSplackem]

100% glacial acetic acid FTW. If that fails, then we can go the opposite route: 99.5% rocket-grade H2O2.

[@k13ehr]

You could also invert the can.

[@XJWill1]

I assume the reason for using vinegar is the acetic acid. But just saying take vinegar and dilute it with water is far too imprecise. I have seen vinegar in stores from 5% to 30% acetic acid. So depending on what you started with, after you dilute it by half with water you could have anything from 2.5% to 15% solution of acetic acid.

[@technoman9000]

Your thumbnail looks like an insane gnome

[@maureenchantry7346]

I use clingfilm for that

[@rosshemmings9384]

I've had some luck with paint cans by simply storing them upside down

[@kenerickson4923]

me too

[@rosshemmings9384]

@@kenerickson4923 What's the saying. "great minds think alike but then fools seldom differ"

[@billyhawkins1150]

same here, works well for me. i do the same with wood glue.

[@brw3079]

If you store your partially used paint cans upside down, the paint itself forms an airtight seal, and prevents a film forming.

[@bocchieri]

dont you risk discoloring the wood when using vinegar?

[@ScottFidler]

I store leftover paint upside down.

[@johnwimbs2157]

I always did too. Until I had one gallon leak about half way. Be careful

[@enrico3web]

Try not dilute the vinegar.. I think water is not needed.

[@marcelloroos766]

Stòre your paint cans upside down or shake paint under the lit before storing

[@deadmeat6563]

Store oil based paint tins upside down, make sure the lid is on well first. You will never see the skin again.

[@PIANOSTYLE100]

Found this by accident a few years ago. I was making a.child's table. It was rather simple. A good quality table top 2 by 2 .with 4 legs..I.had.already.had the experience of loose fitting joints. I fastened the two longest 2 x 3 boards into parallel sides..Then put the 2 shortest pieces in between the the now stable longer pieces.. Put the first two legs into place. The problem I had.befpre was the legs were not extremely tight. If you used a.hammer or mallet; they bounced back. I could never get the joints perfectly tight. Even if I screwed blocks into the corners of the legs. Then I realized Newton and his 🍎 were the answer. An object in motion tends to stay in motion unless acted on by an outside unbalanced force. I also thought about the impulse factor...Force X time. The problem was the hammer was actually bouncing back. I thought about it ..Then I tighened the blocks down with. 2 clamps..Not the little ones.. After tightening the little blocks against the inside wall of the 2 x 4 frame on the first leg; I made light hits with. the hammer. There was absolutely no recoil. I probably had hundred of pounds of pressure against the corner legs. Then before moving the clamps I used quality screws and fastened them to the frame. The blocks to this day have not moved. The table has no movement. None Nada, cero..zero..zip... Every chair or table I build use this technology. This little trick has probably been used for thousands of years.

[@ibealion1]

Billions of years...

[@kyleburkholder6003]

I use cling wrap to help with anything I don't want to dry out like putty, mastic, paint, and things in the kitchen. Instead of trying to remember where a small block of wood is I use to pieces of plywood stacked on top of each other like a pyramid for my cutting guide. The bottom one starts out about 8" wide and the top is about 2" wide. I then glue to two pieces together so that one side of the bottom piece has about 4" exposed and the other side has 2". Once the glue is dried I take the circular saw and put the wide part of the on the wide side of the plywood and cut to width following the top piece as my straight edge. I then repeat on the other side with the small side of the plate. Niw every time I want to make a cut I aline the bottom piece with my marks clamp in place and then place the plate against the top piece to cut the new board. This can be made to any length and it has the effect of a track saw without the cost.