I developed this simple outfeed extension for my band saw to provide extra support while resawing. The fixture consists of a 1/2" MDF panel screwed to two dressed hardwood side supports that clamp to the saw’s table. A hardwood crossbar provides added support and helps to keep the panel flat. Unlike outfeed rollers, my system automatically aligns with the table, reducing setup time. And having the workpiece glide over the flat surface means I don’t have to worry about a roller leading it astray.

Dwayne Smyth
West Springfield, Massachusetts

Plastic center finders are great for spindle turnings and smaller bowl blanks but won’t work for larger blanks such as those for platters. For those, I make a bigger version by clamping a combination square to a framing square with the combo-square’s blade aligned with the vertex of the framing square as shown. Draw two intersecting lines along the combo-square’s blade to mark the center. 

As I was cranking up my router for what seemed like the hundredth bit-change of the day, it dawned on me that the drive on the lift was the same hex drive as on my small cordless screwdriver. Now I can power the lift up and down at the touch of a button. When I get close to the desired setting, I lock the screwdriver in manual mode to make the final adjustments. 

 

Ron Moss
Statesboro, Georgia

For projects requiring several different-sized holes drilled to precise depths, I like to set up stop collars on the bits required rather than constantly changing the depth stop on my drill press. The collars work well on regular drill bits, but their outer diameter is often too small to work with a Forstner bit. I’ve found that drilling a hole in a 1/4" plywood “washer” and sliding it to the desired depth between the collar and the bit’s cutting end works with even the biggest of my collection. This trick also works well when using Forstner bits on the lathe. 

 

Jeff Peters
Redgranite, Wisconsin

Protecting tool rolls

The sharp edges of my turning tools kept cutting the interior of their canvas carrying pouch. As a remedy, I cut the fingers off of a pair of inexpensive leather work gloves, yielding ten protectors to fit over the business end of the cutters.

Linda Halligan
Livonia, New York