Workshop Miscellaneous

This is a link to a Google 3D SketchUp drawing for a kit box that doubles as a platform for grinding the proper primary bevel on a wood plane iron. You will need the SketchUp software to download this drawing and its freely available online. We do not provide support for this software. Not all drawings have the measurements displayed but you can use the measurement tool in SketchUp to easily and accurately determine the dimensions of each lumber part. Most drawings do not have instructions, its assumed you can build it based on the completed drawing provided.

Here are a couple of quick projects that will help your shop stay a little more organized. Plus, you can make them in about five minutes or so.

A miniature bow saw designed to work with a coping saw blade. Two drawings and a text file. DXF format. Plan is featured at CAD Files for Woodworkers. Created by Tom Lewis.

A wooden Mallet, for smacking chisels and the like.

A common way to cover the exposed edges of plywood in a woodworking project is with solid-wood edgebanding. The problem with this technique, however, is that it always requires some fussing around. To streamline things a bit, I began to take a different approach when applying edgebanding.

This project is easy enough for almost anyone to tackle with confidence, and will produce a piece of equipment that will keep your workshop running smoothly for years. ...

This is a link to a Google 3D SketchUp drawing for a panel cart on casters for moving sheets of plywood. You will need the SketchUp software to download this drawing and its freely available online. We do not provide support for this software. Not all drawings have the measurements displayed but you can use the measurement tool in SketchUp to easily and accurately determine the dimensions of each lumber part. Most drawings do not have instructions, its assumed you can build it based on the completed drawing provided.

Learn how to build and install a wall-mounted tool storage system; includes step-by-step instructions along with tips, materials, and tools lists.

This handy wooden mallet was made from some left-over scraps of oak that I had salvaged from a pallet.

This is a link to a Google 3D SketchUp drawing for a wooden hanger for drying parts after applying a finish. You will need the SketchUp software to download this drawing and its freely available online. We do not provide support for this software. Not all drawings have the measurements displayed but you can use the measurement tool in SketchUp to easily and accurately determine the dimensions of each lumber part. Most drawings do not have instructions, its assumed you can build it based on the completed drawing provided.

Adjustable shelves can be a pain to finish. Since the top and bottom faces have to be finished separately, they can take twice as long to finish as any other part of a project. But here is a drying rack that lets you hang the shelves vertically so the entire shelf can be finished in one shot. Best of all, it only takes a few minutes to build.

I have eliminated both of these problems (sore hands and heat build up) with a simple scraper holder, shown in the photo.

This is a handy project to build for your workshop or garage sink. This one is made using pallet wood. Here is how to build it.

Most shop floors are uneven. So whenever I build a shop-made tool stand, I allow for some handy leg levelers. (They add about 2 inches to the height of the stand.)

Use the free woodworking instructions at the link to build a whole load of fastener bins to get your screws or nails sorted and organized.

This is a link to a Google 3D SketchUp drawing for a flip-top mobile tool base. You will need the SketchUp software to download this drawing and its freely available online. We do not provide support for this software. Not all drawings have the measurements displayed but you can use the measurement tool in SketchUp to easily and accurately determine the dimensions of each lumber part. Most drawings do not have instructions, its assumed you can build it based on the completed drawing provided.

This is a link to a Google 3D SketchUp drawing for a cart for moving sheet goods and for infeed/outfeed for table saw. You will need the SketchUp software to download this drawing and its freely available online. We do not provide support for this software. Not all drawings have the measurements displayed but you can use the measurement tool in SketchUp to easily and accurately determine the dimensions of each lumber part. Most drawings do not have instructions, its assumed you can build it based on the completed drawing provided.

Here is one way to hang and use a two sided magnetic tool bar.

Dividing a circle laid out on a workpiece into equal parts does not have to involve tricky math or sophisticated tools. A circular saw blade will do the job.

This is a link to a Google 3D SketchUp drawing for a set-up gauge for measuring height. You will need the SketchUp software to download this drawing and its freely available online. We do not provide support for this software. Not all drawings have the measurements displayed but you can use the measurement tool in SketchUp to easily and accurately determine the dimensions of each lumber part. Most drawings do not have instructions, its assumed you can build it based on the completed drawing provided.

Folded Saw uses Jig Saw Blade and Pop Rivet with washers.

I always seem to be forgetting where I set my glue bottle down last. So I came up with a quick and inexpensive solution.

When gluing up a solid-wood panel, the boards always seem to shift up or down slightly. So I used 1 3/4 inches square hardwood, as shown in the drawing.

Whenever I clamp a wide panel or long board to my workbench on edge for sanding or planing, I need a way to support the other end. So I built this simple bench vise helper, as shown in the photos to the right. It is easy to make and allows me to support panels up to three feet wide.

Since my workshop shares space in the garage with cars, my tools need to be mobile. So I made a simple base for each tool.

Trimming wood plugs flush to a surface is a snap with the simple trim saw you see in the photo at this link.

Build a vertical sheet good cutting stand with this detailed tutorial. Everyone should build one.

When it comes to gluing up a project, I can never seem to remember where I left the glue bottle the last time I used it. And once I find the glue bottle, I am forever shaking it and pounding on it as if it were a bottle of ketchup, trying to get the glue to come out. My solution was to make this simple glue bottle tote.

Here are instruction for an easy-to-build steam bending system.

This is a link to a Google 3D SketchUp drawing for a step stool for the workshop. You will need the SketchUp software to download this drawing and its freely available online. We do not provide support for this software. Not all drawings have the measurements displayed but you can use the measurement tool in SketchUp to easily and accurately determine the dimensions of each lumber part. Most drawings do not have instructions, its assumed you can build it based on the completed drawing provided.