Charles Mak, Author at Woodworking | Blog | Videos | Plans | How To

Square Drive Nailset in a Pinch

Charles Mak — Wed, 06 Dec 2023 16:00:26 +0000

A Robertson “square drive” driver bit of the right size can become a makeshift nailset on a jobsite or if a nailset is not around. Simply put the bit in a magnetic bit holder for drill/drivers or impact drivers and tap on the hex end of the holder with a hammer to recess the nail head. It’s not an ideal substitute, but it sure comes in handy in a pinch.

– Charles Mak
Calgary, Alberta

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Office Supply Blade Guard Aid

Charles Mak — Fri, 02 Jun 2023 15:00:09 +0000

From time to time, I need to raise and hold my miter saw’s blade guard up, such as for checking the blade for squareness to the saw fence. Some woodworkers use a bungee cord to do the job, but I have found a much simpler way. After unplugging the saw and raising the guard up, I clamp a binder clip to the blade to keep the guard retracted. Alternately, a spring clamp can also do the trick. Be sure to remove the clip or clamp and let the blade guard return to the “down” position before plugging the saw back in for use.

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Sanding Block Support for Edge Sanding

Charles Mak — Fri, 04 Nov 2022 15:04:17 +0000

It’s easy to round over the corners you want to stay crisp when you’re hand sanding a narrow edge with a sanding block. Here’s how to avoid it. I support the sanding block with a square-edged piece of scrap underneath it, and I move the scrap back and forth with the block as I sand. The scrap serves as an edge guide against the workpiece to keep the sanding block square to the surface I’m sanding. When the sandpaper dulls or loads up, simply reposition the scrap guide under the sanding block to expose fresh sandpaper.

– Charles Mak
Calgary, Alberta

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Rubber Band Skimmer Keeps Finish Can Rims Tidy

Charles Mak — Mon, 01 Aug 2022 15:23:13 +0000

To keep excess stain or finish off the rims of my quart-size cans, I stretch a thick rubber band around the can from top to bottom and across the opening. That way, with each dip of the brush, I can skim the excess liquid back into the can without ever touching the bristles to the rim. I keep a couple of spare rubber bands on my finish cans for this purpose. The rims stay clean so the lids are easy to install again.

– Charles Mak
Calgary, Alberta

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Surgical Glove Improves Grip Strength

Charles Mak — Fri, 22 Oct 2021 19:40:40 +0000

I often find wooden clamp handles too smooth to grip tightly when applying clamping pressure to a glue-up. Here’s a simple trick that gives me some extra purchase on the handle: I put on a disposable surgical glove. Its rubbery surface instantly improves my grip so I can give the handle the extra twist it needs.

-Charles Mak
Calgary, Alberta

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Save Those Chisel Caps

Charles Mak — Fri, 30 Jul 2021 14:00:44 +0000

Installing or removing mortiser chisels is a clumsy job, and it can lead to poked fingers or damaged points if the bit drops down and hits the mortiser’s metal table. My cheap fix is to protect the sharp points (and my fingers!) with the plastic cap that comes with most new mortiser bits. I install the cap to help push the auger and chisel up into place. Then I put it back on when I’m through mortising to prevent the bit and chisel from falling as I’m removing it from the machine.

Charles Mak
Calgary, Alberta

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Storage Option for More Driver Bits

Charles Mak — Tue, 30 Apr 2019 13:08:34 +0000

Cordless drills provide only one or two slots for storing driver bits, but you can carry even more of them on the tool by attaching a rare-earth magnet to the driver bit stored in the slot. Then load the magnet up with as many bits as it will hold.

-Charles Mak
Calgary, Alberta

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Photograph Your Dry Assemblies

Charles Mak — Tue, 22 Jan 2019 13:37:00 +0000

After dry fitting an assembly, I will often take a photo of the setup with my cell phone before dismantling the clamps and cauls, especially if I am not carrying out the glue-up right away. That way, I’ve got a quick reference so I can replicate the arrangement of all of the components without having to remember the details. For instance, here’s a photo of a recent dry assembly for a task that I didn’t get back to until a couple of weeks later. These photos have streamlined countless complicated assembly jobs over the years. So, grab your phone and take a photo — it will last longer than your memory will.

– Charles Mak
Calgary, Alberta

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PROJECT: Krenov-inspired Shop Cabinet

Charles Mak — Wed, 09 Jan 2019 20:11:19 +0000

Knife hinges and an inset door are precise details that elevate your cabinet work to the next level of craftsmanship.

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Mortiser Chisel Spacer

Charles Mak — Tue, 11 Dec 2018 12:01:20 +0000

Mortiser chisels cut better if you use a spacer to create a gap between the chisel and the internal drill bit. A dime’s thickness is about the right amount of gap, but for me it would often drop off as I installed the chisel and tightened things up. Instead of using a dime, I cut a piece of thin kitchen magnet to “stick” between the collar and chisel for a spacer. After use, I just stick the magnet to the mortiser until next time. No more dropping those dimes!

-Charles Mak
Calgary, Alberta

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