I made a simple add-on for cutting miters without having to adjust the miter gauge. An angled block, like you see in the drawing, fits tightly around the face of the miter gauge.

It’s surprising how accurately the block helps cut 45° miters. And you can flip it over to make the cut on the end of the mating workpiece. If you need to fine-tune a cut, just slip some paper shims between the block and the face of your miter gauge for a perfect cut.

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From the Woodsmith Shop TV Show: See how a template can make sanding curved edges a breeze.

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From the Woodsmith Shop TV Show: Things you should know about cutting a beveled edge on your table saw. (See information on Freud Ripping Blades)

		Sources for some of the hardware and supplies mentioned in this tip. Freud Ripping Blade, Model LU87R010 222258

Anchoring wood knobs with a clothespin helps keep them corralled. Just insert the screw that comes with the knob and then grab it with a clothespin.

For parts without hardware, you can make a small stand-off bed to support them while a finish dries. Just sharpen both ends of some lengths of 1⁄4″ dowel and press them into a piece of foam insulation.

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From the Woodsmith Shop TV Show: How to flatten a glued-up panel after the clamps come off.

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Simple Block. A wood block nestled in angle iron helps guide the blade for a square cut.

Rabbeted Guide. Clamp a hinge between rabbeted guide blocks for a smooth, straight cut.

Grooved Support. A dado acts as a support and guide for cutting a section of T-track.

		Sources for some of the hardware and supplies mentioned in this tip. Bahco Hack Saw by Snap-On 325 Premium Ergonomic Hacksaw 351760

Awhile back, I came across an interesting recipe for an “all-in-one” oil and wax finish. Always on the lookout for new finishes, I decided to mix up a batch and give it a try.

This simple mixture called for equal parts (by volume) of three of the oldest finishing materials in the book — boiled linseed oil, turpentine and beeswax. You can melt the beeswax in a double boiler and add it to turpentine, but I just shaved pieces off a block and let it dissolve overnight. After adding the linseed oil, you’ll have a mixture that looks a bit like varnish.

Apply the mixture just like you would straight linseed oil — wipe it on and then wipe off the excess. After several coats, you can buff out the surface. I found that you only get a low sheen from this mix, but it has a nice look and the process sure was easy.