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Woodworking tips and tricks #1

Dressing bandsaw, guide blocks

bandsaw I replaced my handsaw's steel guide blocks with graphite·impregnated phenolic blocks (Cool Blocks). For accurate operation, the blocks' faces should be routinely dressed to remove regular wear. I tried freehand filing and sanding, but had a hard time keeping the ends square with the edges.
To solve the problem, I made this simple jig. It's a 1j.)( 2 )( 6H scrap of hardwood, with a notch sawn in the end to snugly accommodate a guide block. A 1/8-thick end-strip screwed to the scrap secures the guide block in place. (If necessary for a snug fit, wrap the block with masking tape.) To smooth and square the blocks, position them in the jig so that they project just a bit from the bottom and rub the whole thing over ISO-grit and 220-grit sandpaper until the ends are flush with the bottom of the Jig, It's
best to do this on a dead-flat surface, like a saw or jointer table. To dress guide blocks with a 45° face. I bevel-cut the opposite end of the jig before notching it. - Bob Howard, St. Louis. Missouri

Woodworker's welcome mat

brush After cleaning up countless shavings and sawdust trails leading from my workshop into my home,
I made a heavy-duty boot brush from a few scraps of '1/4' plywood and three 2 x 7" deck scrub brushes. Assemble the base using screws and glue. To fasten the brushes to the base, drive 1 1/4 screws through the bristle-ends of the brushes.
To give workshop debris the boot, stand on an end and kick your free foot over the bristles. (To
make a garden·grade version, use leftover deck boards, waterproof glue, and plastic brushes.) - Kevin Woelfel, Moscow, Idaho.

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