Tricks of the Trade

Lid Sealer

Here's yet another trick for minimizing the evaporation of paint or varnish that's kept in a store-bought can. With the lid firmly secured, turn the can upside-down for just a second or two, then return it to the right side-up position. Turning it upside-down coats the entire inside top surface of the can with a thin film, helping to seal the lid.

-Sande Greer, Maun, Botswana

Vacuum Nozzle Connector

Many woodworking power tools include a nozzle which allow you to connect the tool to a shop vacuum. Oftentimes, however, the power tool nozzle is not the same size as the vacuum hose nozzle. I can usually solve the problem by cutting a short length of old bicycle inner tube and stretching it over the two mating nozzles. I've found it provides a good connection with no loss of vacuum, and it's relatively easy to disconnect when necessary. My local bike repair shop was happy to give me a few old inner tubes (in four different sizes) for free.

- George Swisher, Bowie, MD

Apron Suspenders

A lot of woodworkers like to wear full-length shop aprons, but many find that the neck string is rather annoying. On a hot summer day, that string can be downright irritating, especially if youwear a collarless shirt.

I've removed the neck and apron strings on my apron and replaced them with suspenders. Not only do they make the apron more comfortable for me to wear, they eliminate the need to tie the strings in back. I just slip the apron on and snap one side of the suspenders. You'll want to use the kind of suspenders that can be adjusted in the back.

-Andrew Polzin, Rochester, NY