sawhorses - Wood Tools

orptethniquesclomp crqdle holdsWORK SECURELYOnc rvry to hold a workpiece flat as:rinst a benchtop isto usc bench doss and r vise. If your bencl-r docsn't havebench does, yoll c:1n use cl:rnrps.The only dlawback istl-rat clanrp hcacls often get in the way of yor.rr tools.My solution is to use a pipe chnrp rnd a shop-nradecradle tl-rat clanrps in the vise (Plrcto, right).This arransenrentl-rolds the work secr-rrely against the benchtop.Plus, it leaves the top clear of obstructior-rs.The crac'lle is a U-sh:rpecl rsser.nbly nrade up of twosides lnd :l spacer that is sarrdwiched betwecn thcnr(lllustratiorrs, 6cl()ut). And thereh aV-sroove in e:rch sideto hold rhc pipe clrrrrp sccurely irr tlrc cr:rdle.Just l r-rotc on sizing the crac'lle.Tl-re soal is to er-rd r-rpwith tl.re clanrp heads bclttu thc surfice of the workpreceso tl-rey're not in the way whensanclins or planine. Tl.re position ofthe clanip heads is deternrined by thelocation of tlteV-srooves in the sic-lesof the cradle. Another thine to takeinto account is the width of tl.re sides.T}rey nrust be l1arrcw enough so theydon't extend lbove the benchtopwhen restittg on the gr,ride r,ods of thevise. Rip the sides to width to allowl/.1" clearance below the benchtop.Serge DuclosDelson, QC, Canada. To secure o workpiece flot ogoinst o benchtop without clompsgetting in the woy, use o pipe clomp housed in o shop-mode crodle.Simply tighten the crodle in o vise, ond then clomp the workpiece.Clomp HeodNote: Size crodleto fit your viseNote: Crodle portsore uf s mode riluuc from ilgilt l/,3/a"-fhick stockV-grooveso clompheodssit belowworkpieceTIGHTER BUSHING$I can never get the guide bushingon rny router quite as tight as Iwant.And recently, the lock ringvibrated loose in the r.niddle of acut, damxging the bit and bushing.To make the lock ring stay put,I wrapped the threads of thebushing withTeflon tape.A coupleofwraps is all it takes to make thelock ring fit tight.For sending us this feature tip, SergeDuclos wins a new Rid{td MS1250LZ 12'compound mitet saw!Mail lips to:Workbench Tips & Techniques2200 Grand Ave.Des Moines, lA 50312Email: tips@workbenchmag.com),+ W()I{KBENCH L] r)ECEMuEI{ 2005