5 Workshop Hacks: Part 3 - Woodworking Tips and Tricks

Here are five more Workshop tips and tricks!
Making things easier and safer in the workshop means changing the way we do things like routing extension cords, adapting drill bits, using pegboard for innovative ideas, and more life hacks for magnets!

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[josephefasciani]

Good morning Colin!

I just turned 76, I've been a professional woodworker since I started at 19 1/2, 56 years ago.

I started watching yr site 6 months ago; compared to all the others I think yours is probably the single best 1 for anyone starting out.

I say this as an instructor at BCIT, our best vocational institute. I've had 100s of employees over the past 56 years, so I know how difficult it is to mentor someone over a learning process which will take three or more years to be successful.

I'll also guess you live in Ontario or Québec, to judge from the passing seasons out of your workshop windows.
I hope you get a chance to see this comment and know what a very, very good job & work you are doing for people of any age or background skills.

[TheWoodYogi]

Great tips Colin :) The step drill idea is great :) Just to be careful leaving cables coiled, it's a potential fire hazard ॐ

[MadMonk]

You're like a super smart and friendly uncle. Thanks Internet Uncle! Love your videos. They're fantastic.

[fabioaguiarBR]

Hi there, I'm from Brazil, I've been studying English by myself and watching videos like yours because I'm interesting by tools and tips like you do and I may say thank you for your tips and tricks and thank you for "English lessons" that you give me even without knowing :)

[mammothfilms]

Fantastic tip on hanging extension cords! It removes the tripping hazard, keeps the workspace orderly and extends the life of the cord as it is no longer being stepped on.

[suvaniinoka]

Thank you very much Sir
Simple things but great ideas

[cdncycler]

On the portable folding workbenches, I use sanded-down dowels from wooden broom handles to fit in the holes. This because I usually don't have enough of those plastic pegs to hold what item I have on the portable work bench.

[beforhorn]

Love the overhead cord & the cord wrap idea. Both are new to me.

[nevmayor]

Hi Colin.
I was taught to always fully uncoil an extention cord (cable).
Any high wattage implement can cause a coiled up extention cord to overheat
and possibly set fire as was demo'd to me with a 1k theatre lamp left on for
a period of time. This could just as easily happen with an electric heater.
Hope this is helpful.

[antoniomoscato]

Magnets properties are amazing and can be used almost everywhere, yours is a good idea Colin. Thanks for sharing!!

[remodz]

Those magnet hooks stick really well on the drywall screws in the ceiling. No need to mount a metal strip to hang your cord. And you can move them around. Super easy to find studs this way in drywall too👍

[kekojones]

I really enjoy your channel. Articulate, informative and closeups! I don’t even own a house let alone a shop, but I’m working on it 😌 great video

[glennanderson]

I can't stand peg board, but seeing you use it for drawing a circle/arc has me rethinking how I feel about the stuff. Thanks for sharing!

[cobberpete]

I can't say I like Peg Board, but might have to get hold of a piece Thanks Colin

[kencorsell]

I like to use 1/4 hole pegboard to display and store router bits and drill accessories as they all have 1/4 inch shanks, and it holds them and keeps them sorted for inspection and use!

[johnlove]

Thank you for all the info. It’s not only made me more excited to start projects but has also made my projects easier and even more professional looking. As a newbie to wood working and building I really do appreciate all the tips and tricks.

[grahamallen]

Hi Colin, thanks for more great tips. On my peg board I glued washers the same size as the holes and that stops a lot of wear if you cannot get the drill bits.. It’s very difficult here in the UK to get the same types of drills. You can get but can be very expensive!

[jimbofinjam]

For my Book Case Project, I used a Metal Pegboard (Lowes - Bluehawk 56194, 16"x16", 1/4" holes, $9.98.)
I had to grind off the extension tabs, placed backwards (so it lays flat on the plywood sides) and added a side rail (1x2, to make it square.) A #10 Hinge drill bit centered the holes (on the front and back) and were completed by a 1/4" drill bit (with a lock stop for the depth.)
Perfect hole spacing and alignment. A cheap and permanent jig addition. Great Tips.

[takeniteasyfriend]

Thank you for taking the time to share these tips.

[goodaman]

Please remember that if you are using the extension cord with a powerful tool you should unwind in fully. Or the cord can act like a coil and overheat and cause a fire and physical harm etc...