D.I.Y Supplies and Equipment
Economical refills
If you use a lot of carpenters or other glue, buy i t in large quantities. You’ll save money and avoid the hassle of running out of glue in the middle of a job. To dispense the glue use old sauce or mustard squeeze bottles with twist-seal nozzles or flip-top caps. Be sure to remove the labels and clearly mark the bottle with its new contents.
Slick tip
Have you ever struggled to get a stuck cap off a tube of glue? If so, here is an easy fix dab a little petroleum jelly on the tip before replacing the cap; the jelly will keep the glue from sticking.
Top substitute
Wire connectors sold at hardware and electrical supply stores, make good substitute caps for glue bottles or tubes. Keep several sizes of connector on hand and Then you won’t have to waste time searching for misplaced caps.
Cool it
To keep epoxy from setting too quickly in warm weather or in a hot workshop, turn over a cold and unopened tin of cool drink and mix the ingredients in the recessed bottom of the tin.The cold aluminum will slow the setting process, and the recess in tin makes a fine mixing bowl.
Other adhesives
Cement collar
When applying contact cement, keep the rim of the cement tin clean by covering it with an aluminum foil collar. The foil will catch the drips and prevent gummy buildup. Once the job is done discard the foil; the lid will sit tightly in place.
Removable adhesive
Inexpensive wall adhesive has many uses in the workshop. Use it to secure a screw on the tip of a screwdriver or hold nuts and washers together, and to stick up assembly instructions and notes for yourself. In many situations it’s a good substitute for tape or staples.
Carpet scrap applicator
Cleaning brushes that have been used to apply contacts cement is a terrible job. So instead of throwing away brush after brush, make a reusable applicator out of scrap wood. Attach a handle to 100 by 100 mm scrap and just staple of fresh piece of carpet to the block for each new job.
Storing adhesives
An upside down trick
Storing glue bottles and tubes upside down keeps the contents ready to pour. To make a holder for your glue bottles, drill holes through an existing shelf in your workshop. Another option is to drill holes in and off cut and attach it to the wall.
Hand tubing
Here’s a clever solution to a common workshop storage problem. Since plastic squeeze tubes of contact cement and caulk don’t lie flat and can’t be stacked, try hanging them up. Cut a piece of duct tape about 50 mm long and trim its width to that of the tube. Stick one end on the bottom of the tube; then fold it in half over the tube, pinching the sticky sides together. Punch a hole through the tape and hang it on a nail or on a peg-board hook.
Glue gun holder
The hot dripping tip of a glue gun can be a safety hazard. To keep it out of harm’s way, put it in this handy holder made by mounting a spring metal boom clip on a small piece of scrap timber. To catch the drips screw a small jar lid on the holder.
