Tricks of the Trade

Put a Lid on Your Dust Collector

In a busy shop, dust settles on every horizontal surface, including the top bag of your dust collector. Whenever the collector is turned on and the bags inflate, all that dust on top gets blasted into the air. To prevent this from happening, hang a cardboard box upside down over the dust collector. String it from the ceiling. This "lid" only has to be large enough to allow good airflow to escape the top bag, and it will keep airborne dust from settling on the fabric. Plus, it won't interfere with emptying the bottom bag.

- Dick Ayers; Barron, Wisconsin

For Blade Lube, Check the Pantry

Ordinary cooking spray does a lot more than keep food from sticking. I spray some on a rag and wipe down my band saw blade between uses. The spray makes the blade cut more easily and protects it from rust. It even helps keep wood pitch from sticking and gumming it up. Be sure to keep peace with your spouse and return the can to the kitchen when you're finished with it — or better yet, buy a can for the shop.

- Michael Gaule; Metairie, Louisiana

Paint Your Plugs

Since outlets are scarce in my shop, four machines have to share one outlet. I got tired of guessing which of the four identical black plugs was the right one for the machine I wanted to use, so I painted each plug a different color to match the machine color. Now, I know that “orange” means band saw, “yellow” is the grinder, and so forth.

I mounted a plug holder made of notched scrap right next to the outlet so the plugs are ready when I need them.

- Dan Clough; Salem, Oregon