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Get more out of your hand-held router with a few simple, inexpensive accessories.
Just about every woodworking store or mail-order source carries the hand-held router accessories (or similar items) shown on pages 10 to 13 of ShopNotes No. 93. The item numbers for those accessories available from the Woodsmith Store are:
Some items, like edge guides or alternate bases, may be specific to the brand of router. In those cases, it's best to check with the manufacturer for accessory items available for their specific router models.
A lazy Susan is a versatile piece of hardware that allows you to make better use of limited shop space.
The lazy Susan bearings shown on page 12 of ShopNotes No. 93 are available at most hardware stores and home centers. But if you want a specific size or style, sources are listed below.
Learn how to choose and use a plug cutter to make wood plugs that are nearly invisible.
A woodworking store or mailorder source is your best bet for locating plug cutters like the ones shown on page 14 of ShopNotes No. 93. Sources appear below.
It won't take a lot of time, effort, or material to improve your shop with these handy plywood projects. Each one can be built from a single sheet of inexpensive plywood.
You'll find very little hardware is needed to build any of the plywood projects starting on page 16 of ShopNotes No. 93. So you may be able to find everything you need locally. The 2" window locks for the assembly table came from Home Depot.
If you can't find some of the items locally, Rockler (see below) may have what you need. For the roll-around cart, I used a set of 5" locking swivel casters from Rockler (31845). Rockler also carries the L-shaped shelf pins (33860), the corner braces (33605), and the piano hinge (30085).
Shop-tested tips and techniques to solve your woodworking problems.
Ripping long workpieces on your table saw can be a struggle. This easy-to-build outfeed support gives you an extra hand when you need it -- and it stores easily when you don't.
The table saw outfeed support on page 30 of ShopNotes No. 93 is a handy project for any workshop. And the nice thing is it doesn't take long to build and won't set you back much for the required materials and hardware.
I was able to pick up the hinges, woodscrews, and plastic laminate (WilsonArt D90-60) at a local home center. You should be able to pick up the steel flat stock for making brackets for a tube-style fence there as well. Finally, I ordered the leveling feet (62805K33) and threaded inserts (90016A030) from McMaster-Carr. Their contact information is listed below.
A dovetail jig is just the start of great looking half-blind dovetails. For top-notch results, try out these shop-tested tips and techniques.
This workcenter is a handy addition to any shop. It's loaded with features that provide storage for the jig and accessories, improved accuracy, and added comfort as you work.
Building the dovetail workcenter shown on page 36 of ShopNotes No. 93 will take a bit of hardware. You should be able to find the washers, woodscrews, threaded inserts, handles, and piano hinges at just about any hardware store.
For the two different-length knobs (1373T57, 1373T58), I turned to McMaster-Carr (see below). And Lee Valley has all the magnet hardware. The part numbers for the 3/8" magnets are 99K3203 (magnet), 99K3252 (cup), and 99K3262 (washer). The item numbers for the 1/2" size are 99K3103, 99K3253, and 99K3263, respectively.
Note: If you want to center the baseplate and bushing on your router, the Woodsmith Store carries the Bosch centering cone (269068).
Better results and longer life -- it's simply a matter of taking good care of your saw blades.
Here are a few simple ways to get a growing collection of clamps under control.
A locking rabbet joint is a great choice for sturdy drawers. And all you need is a table saw.
Bringing digital accuracy to your shop isn't as hard or expensive as you might think.
The digital add-ons featured on page 48 of ShopNotes No. 93 are all made by Wixey (below). The digital readout for the rip fence (WR700, $150) works best with T-square style fences, but can be adapted to tube-style models.
The planer gauge (WR500, $60) works on a wide range of models. And finally, the angle gauge (WR300, $40) isn't specific to a tool, so it's handy for the table saw, miter saw, jointer, or band saw.
