Woodworking Tip of The Week - Small Parts Carousel

I like to keep extra screws, bolts, and other hardware on hand to save me trips to the hardware store. The problem is all these parts can be difficult to store and organize. To fix this, I built the small parts storage carousel you see in the drawing to the right.

The carousel consists of a single base unit and a set of storage units sized to hold plastic bins. The storage units rotate so you can find the part you need quickly and easily. And, as shown in the drawing to the right, you can build and stack as many units as needed for additional storage.
Base. To make it easy to access the storage bins, I built a simple base (drawing below). First, cut the top and bottom shelves to size. And then connect them to the L-shaped legs and frame. Finally, add a lazy Susan to allow the unit to rotate.

Storage Unit. Each storage unit is built from 3/4″ plywood and 1/4″ hardboard. Start by cutting the base and top to size. Then make four separate storage compartments to hold two different sizes of 4″-wide bins (one deep and one shallow).

The two larger compartments are made by joining two sides and a divider to a back. Dadoes in the sides and back hold the 1/4″ hardboard shelves and divider (main drawing and inset below). The small center compartments are formed by connecting the backs of the large compartments by two spacers and a set of small shelves. Here again, dadoes hold the shelves in position.
To use the carousel, just slide in the bins and fill them with small parts.

Good woodworking,
Phil HuberEditor,
ShopNotes

Please refur to the title link for All Graphics for a Visual effect of what it looks like, And I would also like to say thanks to www.woodworkingtips.com for putting out some Great tips and all the contributors that contribute to the tips to help woodworkers learn more the easy, quick and efficient way of woodworking!

Handi

Woodworking Tip of The Week - Small Parts Clamp

Cutting small parts on the table saw doesn’t always involve making a lot of repetitive cuts or identical pieces. Often all I need to do is cut or trim one or two short pieces to length. Or possibly cut several small pieces to size that are each a little different. For a long time, I struggled with making these crosscuts cleanly and accurately without losing my fingers. The solution turned out to be the simple clamping jig you see at use in the photo at right.

This small parts clamp attaches to the miter gauge of the table saw. It holds the workpiece firmly between the two jaws so all I have to worry about is sliding the miter gauge past the blade.

Building the Clamp. As you can see in the drawings below, the construction is pretty simple. Basically, the clamp consists of a back jaw, an adjustable front jaw, and a slotted spreader that connects them.

You start by cutting the front and back jaw to identical size from 3/4″-thick hardwood. Then you drill matching holes at the “blade” end of the jaws to hold the carriage bolt that tightens the clamp.

Once the slot is cut in the spreader, you can screw it to the opposite end of the front jaw. The slot fits over a hanger bolt installed in the end of the back jaw. Both ends of the clamp are tightened down with wing nuts and washers.

Using It. Putting the clamp to use doesn’t need much explanation. First, you adjust the jaws to loosely fit the workpiece. Then line up your cut mark on the workpiece with the blade and tighten the wing nuts. Making the cuts is just a matter of sliding the miter gauge past the saw blade.

Good woodworking,

Phil HuberEditor,
ShopNotes

Pictures are Provided by clicking the Above Title Link, you will be directed to www.woodworkingtips.com.

Handi