Sizing Screws on the Fly
Having that can of old screws from past projects is nice, but trying to find the right size can be a challenge. It turns out there’s a simple formula for determining the size of a woodscrew, such as a #6, #8, or any size up to #14.
Measure the diameter of the head of the screw in 16ths, (round the number up if need be). Multiply that number by 2. Then subtract 2 from that sum. And there you are.
Here’s an example. A screw head measures 5⁄16" in diameter. Five times two equals ten. Subtract two, and the answer is eight. So the screw is a #8.
Waterstone Storage.
Steve Kralicek of Omaha, NE, uses waterstones daily in his shop. So instead of drying and storing them away, he leaves them in water in a plastic bin that has a lid. He adds a capful of bleach to the water to prevent any mold buildup between water changes.
Better Gripping Pocket Hole Jig.
Micah Schonberger of Snowmass, CO, uses pocket hole joinery on occasion in his shop. As the photo shows, he found that adding a strip of adhesive-backed sandpaper to the bottom of his single hole jig prevents it from shifting while in use.
