Reader Tipshttp://americanwoodworker.com/blogs/readertips/atom.aspxCommunity Server2009-03-18T10:08:00ZSimple Dowel Drilling/blogs/readertips/archive/2009/03/18/simple-dowel-drilling.aspx2009-03-18T15:22:00Z2009-03-18T15:22:00Z<h3><a href="http://americanwoodworker.com/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Blogs.Components.WeblogFiles/readertips/AW_5F00_14112_5F00_001.jpg"><img src="http://americanwoodworker.com/resized-image.ashx/__size/550x0/__key/CommunityServer.Blogs.Components.WeblogFiles/readertips/AW_5F00_14112_5F00_001.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a></h3>
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<h3>I needed a way to hold dowels steady so that I could drill pilot holes in them. After a little head scratching, I cut a V-notch in a small piece of 2x4. I clamped a second piece of 2x4 against the dowel as a brace.</h3>
<h3>--Larry Peters</h3>
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<p> </p><div style="clear:both;"></div><img src="http://americanwoodworker.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=2423" width="1" height="1">adminhttp://americanwoodworker.com/members/admin/default.aspxRe-Usable Tack Cloth/blogs/readertips/archive/2009/03/18/re-usable-tack-cloth.aspx2009-03-18T15:20:00Z2009-03-18T15:20:00Z<h3><a href="http://americanwoodworker.com/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Blogs.Components.WeblogFiles/readertips/AW_5F00_13350_5F00_016.jpg"><img src="http://americanwoodworker.com/resized-image.ashx/__size/550x0/__key/CommunityServer.Blogs.Components.WeblogFiles/readertips/AW_5F00_13350_5F00_016.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a></h3>
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<h3>Microfiber cloth picks up tiny dust particles as well as, if not better than, a tack cloth. Unlike a tack cloth, micro fiber cloths are washable and reusable. Rockler sells Norton's microfiber finishing cloth for $5-7, but any microfiber cloth will work as long as it has hemmed edges.</h3>
<h3>--Kevin Southwick</h3>
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<h3><br /></h3><div style="clear:both;"></div><img src="http://americanwoodworker.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=2422" width="1" height="1">adminhttp://americanwoodworker.com/members/admin/default.aspxMarking Dark Wood/blogs/readertips/archive/2009/03/18/marking-dark-wood.aspx2009-03-18T15:17:00Z2009-03-18T15:17:00Z<h3><a href="http://americanwoodworker.com/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Blogs.Components.WeblogFiles/readertips/AW_5F00_14112_5F00_003.jpg"><img src="http://americanwoodworker.com/resized-image.ashx/__size/550x0/__key/CommunityServer.Blogs.Components.WeblogFiles/readertips/AW_5F00_14112_5F00_003.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a></h3>
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<h3>I often use dark, exotic wood for turning pens. It's difficult to see center marks on these species, so I pain the ends of my pen blanks with liquid paper. After it dries in a few seconds, I can easily mark the center with a pencil.</h3>
<h3>--John Woods</h3>
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<h3><br /></h3><div style="clear:both;"></div><img src="http://americanwoodworker.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=2421" width="1" height="1">adminhttp://americanwoodworker.com/members/admin/default.aspxSwingin' Storage/blogs/readertips/archive/2009/03/18/swingin-storage.aspx2009-03-18T15:08:00Z2009-03-18T15:08:00Z<h3><a href="http://americanwoodworker.com/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Blogs.Components.WeblogFiles/readertips/AW_5F00_14112_5F00_010.jpg"><img src="http://americanwoodworker.com/resized-image.ashx/__size/550x0/__key/CommunityServer.Blogs.Components.WeblogFiles/readertips/AW_5F00_14112_5F00_010.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a></h3>
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<h3>I like to store hardware in its original package on a Peg-Board wall in my shop. I've devised some swinging panels for the wall that give me a lot more usable space. To make the panels, you'll need 1/8" Peg-Board, a 3/4" dia. dowel rod, and Peg-Board tool holders.</h3>
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<h3>Make the panels by cutting 12" x 12" pieces from the Peg-Board. For each panel, cut one dowel 2-1/2" long and one 5" long. Cut a 1/8" wide groove in one end of both dowels and slide the dowels onto the panels. Fasten the dowels with screws. </h3>
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<h3>To install a panel, insert the longer dowel in the top tool holder until the bottom dowel slips into the bottom tool holder. The long top dowel must extend through both rings of the tool holder to keep the panel from falling out. Each pair of tool holders holds up to six panels. </h3>
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<h3>I also cut a 1/8" wide slot in a 12" length of 2x4 to use as a base for the panels so I can remove a panel from the tool rack and set it on my workbench.</h3>
<h3>--Mark Thiel</h3>
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<h3><br /></h3><div style="clear:both;"></div><img src="http://americanwoodworker.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=2420" width="1" height="1">adminhttp://americanwoodworker.com/members/admin/default.aspx