Frankenstein’s Pencil

Category Archives: Tricks of the Trade

Frankenstein’s Pencil

American Woodworker Editors AW143, DIY, Drawing, Pencil, Techniques, Tricks of the Trade, Workshop Tips

I like to use carpenter’s pencils until they’re worn down to stubs. Stubs aren’t very handy, though–they’re hard to dig out of a pocket. To solve this problem, I gathered up all the stubs lying around the shop and cut …
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Tablesaw Assembly Clamp

American Woodworker Editors AW153, Clamping, Clamps, Table saw, Techniques, Tricks of the Trade, Workshop Tips

My tablesaw’s top often does double duty as an assembly table. It’s a guaranteed-flat surface. When I glue or screw together a project, it won’t come out twisted. Sometimes I use the saw’s fence as a clamp to hold parts …
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Kicker Chock Block

American Woodworker Editors June 2023 #272, Shop Projects, Shop Tips, Tricks of the Trade, Workshop Tips

I love the convenience of mobile bases, but I hate it when they wobble on the floor even when they’re locked down. I got my chock block idea at the airport where the ground crews use something similar for parked …
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