Using stuff the way it wasn't meant to be used - Page 2

rita541 · 03-13-2008, 09:03 PM

Dick uses cat treat jars for screws and nuts and bolts and any small parts that tend to get lost. I use them for small amounts of mixed paint. I use small PVC pipe with end caps to store my scroll saw blades.
Rita

Glennbear · 03-13-2008, 09:11 PM

Originally Posted by Bas

I was thinking how many items used in glue-ups weren't originally designed for that purpose. Like acid brushes. I also use the small Dixie cups, much easier to dip the brush than messing with the bottle. Wax paper helps keep the workbench clean.

There are other items I use in the shop that you won't find in a WW catalog, like this "third arm". It's marketed to pet groomers:

It's not quite as useful as I thought it would be, but it helps holding the shop vac nozzle in place while routing and drilling. And of course, most dust collection pipes and fittings were designed for HVAC & plumbing.

So, what do you have in your shop that wasn't meant for woodworking?

I have a microphone stand with a "bendy part" like your pic which I mounted a lighted magnifier on, I have a spare one so now I know what to mount on it.........

a clamp !!!! I also use an IV pole with a shop made bracket which interchanges with the original top to hold a quartz light, very handy when extended up to full height to light up a large area or retracted to hold a heat lamp. FYI...........plumping copper pipe when soldered and drilled will enable you to use the original push button latch on an IV pole. Dang near limitless the attachments you can make.

Will Goodwin · 03-13-2008, 09:59 PM

Along with the magnet on the string idea ... take an old telescoping radio antenna and use some JB Weld to attach a small magnet to the tip. Extend the antenna and you've got a magnet that can pick up bolts/screws dropped in the smallest places.

I actually have a similar tool that is built into the tip of a screw driver (my wife bought it as a stocking stuffer one year). You take the tip out and extend the magnet rod (also holds the screw driver tips in the handle). It wasn't very expensive, but it has saved me from having to tear things apart to get a bolt that I dropped on several occasions.

Will

Glennbear · 03-13-2008, 10:06 PM

I realized I had an chance to make a stealth gloat so here are pics of the stands I mentioned. The new drill press and table "just happened" to be next to the stand despite the fact it is on wheels

This stand uses copper tube soldered together and painted for the "T" section and drilled for the original IV stand push buttons to change attachments.

This is the light /magnifier mounted on the microphone stand, easily bent to use where needed but stable due to weighted base.

Bas · 03-13-2008, 11:20 PM

Originally Posted by Gofor

The usual:

OK, very creative. I think I know the usage for most of them, but the bicycle inner tube?????

Margarine bowls, plastic coffee cans - OK, storage
wax paper, saran wrap, - glue-up, tool lubrication, covering stuff, OK
paraffin, - tool lubrication, anti-rust?
bar soap, - for screws I assume
Barkeeper's Friend powder - for cleaning cast iron surfaces
toothpicks - lots of uses for that
measuring cups - obvious
spatula (to get that last bit of paint out of the paint can) - to get that last bit of paint out of the paint can
plastic packing tape (covers edges, makes a good shim, makes a slick finish, etc), - not going to make the same joke again
credit card glue speaders - OK
colander (great for straining the skin coat off of paint) - OK
speaker magnets - lemme guess, holding small metal parts?
metal baking pans (parts cleaning and screw sorting) - why metal pans for screw sorting? isn't that noisy
scotchbrite scrub pads - good for cast iron surfaces
microfiber cloths - as tack cloths?
plastic peanut butter jars (parts/fastener storage and small parts/bit cleaning) - OK. Chunky or smooth?
spray bottles - what do you spray? blade cleaner?
metal bed frame rails - for what, building a bed?
bicycle inner tube - for expansion of....something? Intrigued by this one!
aluminum foil (great for masking irregularly shaped objects). Never thought of that. Looks like all the household rolls can be used in the shop!

jeff... · 03-13-2008, 11:32 PM

Well I once cut a wedge out of a piece of oak and used it as a tie rod separator - does that count?

Bas · 03-13-2008, 11:39 PM

Originally Posted by Glennbear

I realized I had an chance to make a stealth gloat so here are pics of the stands I mentioned. The new drill press and table "just happened" to be next to the stand despite the fact it is on wheels

(stealth You SUCK!!!)

Originally Posted by Glennbear

This is the light /magnifier mounted on the microphone stand, easily bent to use where needed but stable due to weighted base.

Now THAT looks useful. I might have to go hunt for one of those stands. Probably make some sort of universal connection system on it, so I can click on a clamp, a light, a magnifying glass etc.

I have also been looking for a LONG flexible arm, 5ft or more. Anyone know if those exist, and who sells them?

Glennbear · 03-13-2008, 11:50 PM

I have also been looking for a LONG flexible arm, 5ft or more. Anyone know if those exist, and who sells them?

Depends on how often you would need to flex it, the BORGS sell bendable water heater connection pipes that come pretty lenghty. I think at the kind of length you are talking a truly flexible apparatus would self bend due to it's own weight.

Nativespec · 03-14-2008, 07:17 AM

I use the black drainage pipe for dust collection along the ceiling of my garage and then use pvc against the wall above the workbench. I use a roof vent pipe flange inside my contractors saw (mounted with black electrical tape) with pvc pipe to connect to my fleixble hose that I no longer use because it is useless (in my oppinion) to attempt dust collection with a contractors saw and I always trip over it anyway.

So I end up using an electric leaf blower to "control" the dust when things get too gross in the shop. I later go for walks around the yard to pick up the small tools that got caught up in the whirlwind.

David

skysharks · 03-14-2008, 07:38 AM

Great thread Bas Man. I have really enjoyed reading this one.
Good thinking all

NCPete · 03-14-2008, 07:47 AM

doesn't this imply that we might have actually read the instructions in the first place????

Will Goodwin · 03-14-2008, 09:07 AM

Originally Posted by Bas

(stealth You SUCK!!!)
I have also been looking for a LONG flexible arm, 5ft or more. Anyone know if those exist, and who sells them?

Sign your wife up for yoga.

bluewing92 · 03-14-2008, 09:12 AM

Plastic containers you get your prescription drugs in. Of course once you put something in them you can't get them out because of the child proof lid unless you have a child helping in the workshop.

Alan in Little Washington · 03-14-2008, 11:47 AM

Originally Posted by Glennbear

I have also been looking for a LONG flexible arm, 5ft or more. Anyone know if those exist, and who sells them?

Depends on how often you would need to flex it, the BORGS sell bendable water heater connection pipes that come pretty lenghty. I think at the kind of length you are talking a truly flexible apparatus would self bend due to it's own weight.

There are a number of suppliers of this stuff, Vimco is one, Moffat is another, none are cheap.

Bas · 03-14-2008, 01:34 PM

Yup, that would do the trick, although definitely expensive. I've been thinking about making a blade guard with DC that I can suspend over the table via such a flexible arm. The guard isn't too big of a deal, some lexan and adhesive should do the trick. But a long, flexible arm is expensive.... Of course, I don't need anything nearly as beefy.