Fastcap makes a tape measure that is left- and right-handed (numbers are printed both ways). It also has an erasable writing surface on it for making notes of measurements, and also has a built-in pencil sharpener. It is very reasonably priced as well. I've been using one for years and it's the one I keep in my apron pocket.
I really like using yardsticks. Especially at the miter saw station. I pick up cool old wood yardsticks, with advertising on them. Some probably a hundred years old. I get them at yard sales, flea markets... wherever I find them cheap. I have them spread around the shop. Always at least one within reach. Not the most accurate measuring device but when I need better I grab a steel ruler. Love your channel!
Great tipst! Thank you everyone and of cause to host for sharing it! Never see a right hand measuring tape in the store? Now will specifically look for that one.
I just discovered your channel and you get a follow for the tape measure advice 😉. I would of never known the left handed tape measure and the color coded is brilliant 👏. My hubby and I are always misplacing the many tape measures we have but having them assigned to a specific machine makes perfect sense.
I had no idea about the left handed tapes. I've had the same troubles with marking wrong and always wondered why. Now I know why and how to fix it! lol Thanks
I'd never thought about left- and right-handed tape measures. Mine turns out to be the wrong way round; I'm now going to have to find a replacement to fix a problem I didn't know I had!
That's a great idea. You gave me an idea. Use a soda bottle plastic cap and put your bolt in that and then fill the cap and bolt with baking soda and then use CA glue (super glue). It will create a slurry that will harden very quickly. Do it right and it will actually make a good permanent knob.
Dowel holding jig: Don't just stop the straight cutout at the round hole, continue it past the hole an inch (25mm) or so, it will make it a bit easier to get the jig to clamp down. You could also put several different, common hole sizes along the straight cut so you don't need to search for the right jig or make a new one each time.
As always a great video. That hot glue thumb screw tip is genius. I have a missing thumb screw on my vintage table saw that I have been unsuccessful at finding a replacement for. I'm definitely going to try the hot glue trick. I don't know how durable the glue will be but it is worth a try.
Rather than using hot glue, try a soda bottle cap and fill it with baking soda and then use CA glue on the baking soda and it will become very hard. You might have to layer it to get all of the baking soda hard.
Another way to make those knobs for bolt heads is 1 liter bottle caps. I turn them over and put in the bolt then fill with the hot glue. You can use different color tops for different things.
First tip with radius is very cool, but instead of a can or something that you may already have in your shop you need to get at least two tools, and second one could be more expensive. Somehow I do not have exact same straight and this type of adjustable. But I have a drawing set instead, which is also can be used....
Hey hey from iowaaaaay! So really right hand tapes are left hand tapes and left hand tapes are right hand tapes. Now I have to replace all my tapes so I don’t have to keep switching hands! For your thumb screws go to the craft dept at your big box store and pick up the kids sun catcher melt craft, dump them in a paper form and heat ‘‘em up?
Making knobs- simple to make wooden ones. Drill a through hole for the shaft then drill a recess for the bolt head. Make the recess the width of the bolt head when measuring from a flat to the other flat, so the recess will be smaller than the bolt head tip-to-tip measurement. Put the bolt through the knob and hammer it down. The tips of the bolt head should crush the wood fibers and lock the head in place. If it’s all sized to be tight that will be enough to secure it. You can make the knob any shape you like on the bandsaw
Knobs: For greater resistance against the bolt hex chewing out a circle over time…hacksaw a slot across the bolt head and solder a length of stiff steel wire (aka..piano wire/music wire) a bit wider than the head. Hot glue sets firm enough…but for a really tough knob try a hard set epoxy like Araldite or JB Weld. Also add a washer to the bolt before the glue sets fully to make a stop.
You can also make a knob using a screw cap from a soft drink (Soda) bottle they are easy to grip. Just do the same hot melt or epoxy bolt in the middle fill the cap and there you are
Use dowels to make those big-headed screws. Use that dowel-drilling trick to drill centred holes in the dowels. Slice on bandsaw. Use the hotmelt glue trick to fill the hole. Epoxy would work too. Paint (or not) to taste.
Best way to make a quick knob is to take a HDPE screw on cap with nice a grippy edge, lay it flat, place your bolt sticking up and glue it in place with some epoxy putty to fill up the cap.. No mess and it it very strong.
I love the old measure twice cut once.......but I'm a measure ten times and still screw it up......lol....love your videos....
Fastcap makes a tape measure that is left- and right-handed (numbers are printed both ways). It also has an erasable writing surface on it for making notes of measurements, and also has a built-in pencil sharpener. It is very reasonably priced as well. I've been using one for years and it's the one I keep in my apron pocket.
That’s my go to tape measure. Love it.
Home depot or Lowes or Ace ?
The only tape measures I use in the shop! Sure it is cheating because of the fractional markings, but math is hard! :)
@@timhicks1118 Where did you get it ?
@@c.blakerockhart1128
Meet
Thanks to contributors for cool ideas & thanks to you, Colin, for passing them along.
I really like using yardsticks. Especially at the miter saw station. I pick up cool old wood yardsticks, with advertising on them. Some probably a hundred years old. I get them at yard sales, flea markets... wherever I find them cheap. I have them spread around the shop. Always at least one within reach. Not the most accurate measuring device but when I need better I grab a steel ruler. Love your channel!
Great another excellent episode. Thanks Colin
I will be checking out left handed tapes. Thanks!!
Never too old to learn something new as long there is life there is always option to learn something thanks to you great idea
Great tipst! Thank you everyone and of cause to host for sharing it! Never see a right hand measuring tape in the store? Now will specifically look for that one.
I am a big fan of the FastCap Lefty/Righty tap measures. If one could love a tap measure this would be it
Tape measure tip is worth the price of admission.
Great video, I like the left hand tape measure, my husband uses bottle caps on screw clamps to keep from maring the wood
I just discovered your channel and you get a follow for the tape measure advice 😉. I would of never known the left handed tape measure and the color coded is brilliant 👏. My hubby and I are always misplacing the many tape measures we have but having them assigned to a specific machine makes perfect sense.
Single fluted Countersink bits are the best. Smooth and straight holes every time.
Great tips. Thank you
I had no idea about the left handed tapes. I've had the same troubles with marking wrong and always wondered why. Now I know why and how to fix it! lol Thanks
O my gosh! I have done that tape mistake so many times! Didn’t know they even made left hand tapes! Thanks!!!
Another set of very useful tips, thank you!
Thank you sir wonderful tips.
Thanks for all the tips, Colin! 😊
Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊
Great video Colin! Thanks for taking the time to make it. 😃👍
Great tips. Thanks for sharing.
You need the fast cap tape. I did a video on it. Great tape to use. Left and right, pencil sharpener, write on tape, it’s awesome
I'd never thought about left- and right-handed tape measures. Mine turns out to be the wrong way round; I'm now going to have to find a replacement to fix a problem I didn't know I had!
Great tips Colin. As a leftie (or cuddywiffter as we call them in the ME England!) the tape measure is one of the tools that makes it easy for me.
Great video Collin, the thumb screw idea is great I do the same sort of thing using soda bottle caps the work really well as a hold down knob ....
That's a great idea. You gave me an idea. Use a soda bottle plastic cap and put your bolt in that and then fill the cap and bolt with baking soda and then use CA glue (super glue). It will create a slurry that will harden very quickly. Do it right and it will actually make a good permanent knob.
Dowel holding jig: Don't just stop the straight cutout at the round hole, continue it past the hole an inch (25mm) or so, it will make it a bit easier to get the jig to clamp down. You could also put several different, common hole sizes along the straight cut so you don't need to search for the right jig or make a new one each time.
As always a great video. That hot glue thumb screw tip is genius. I have a missing thumb screw on my vintage table saw that I have been unsuccessful at finding a replacement for. I'm definitely going to try the hot glue trick. I don't know how durable the glue will be but it is worth a try.
What about using epoxy?
@@martintheron1386 Don't know if you could get the epoxy out of the wrench. Maybe I can find a silicone mould.
Cooking spray oil works as a release when I make hot glue bullets.
Make your own mold with rtv silicone caulk.
Wax paper or releasing agent
Rather than using hot glue, try a soda bottle cap and fill it with baking soda and then use CA glue on the baking soda and it will become very hard. You might have to layer it to get all of the baking soda hard.
Another way to make those knobs for bolt heads is 1 liter bottle caps. I turn them over and put in the bolt then fill with the hot glue. You can use different color tops for different things.
Great episode
First tip with radius is very cool, but instead of a can or something that you may already have in your shop you need to get at least two tools, and second one could be more expensive. Somehow I do not have exact same straight and this type of adjustable. But I have a drawing set instead, which is also can be used....
Lol had no idea they made left hand tape. Nice
Hey hey from iowaaaaay!
So really right hand tapes are left hand tapes and left hand tapes are right hand tapes. Now I have to replace all my tapes so I don’t have to keep switching hands!
For your thumb screws go to the craft dept at your big box store and pick up the kids sun catcher melt craft, dump them in a paper form and heat ‘‘em up?
Drill the countersink first, then drill your hole through the countersink. It will self-center. Smooth as silk.
,a cool video keep up the great content.. Thank you……
You can also use a lil epoxy for the knob and just use some minwax or mold release on the wrench.
Making knobs- simple to make wooden ones. Drill a through hole for the shaft then drill a recess for the bolt head. Make the recess the width of the bolt head when measuring from a flat to the other flat, so the recess will be smaller than the bolt head tip-to-tip measurement. Put the bolt through the knob and hammer it down. The tips of the bolt head should crush the wood fibers and lock the head in place. If it’s all sized to be tight that will be enough to secure it. You can make the knob any shape you like on the bandsaw
Try adding an appropriately sized washer under the head ot the home made thumb screw for a flat base as well.
Improved dowel holder: slot in the opposite direction. You pinch the dowel, like using pliers. You may need to reinforce the other side with a screw.
Nice tips, as always. But at 2:57 I would have used a C-clamp only. That jig will be helpful, if needed more often, I think.
You can also use plastic bottle lid to use as a knob instead of the wrench.
You are awesome great idea 💡
Knobs: For greater resistance against the bolt hex chewing out a circle over time…hacksaw a slot across the bolt head and solder a length of stiff steel wire (aka..piano wire/music wire) a bit wider than the head. Hot glue sets firm enough…but for a really tough knob try a hard set epoxy like Araldite or JB Weld. Also add a washer to the bolt before the glue sets fully to make a stop.
I prefer right hand tapes. Yes numbers are upside down but easier to mark closest to me vs going “over” the tape to mark
I have been using bottle caps to make the knobs for bolts with hot glue for years now. for years
thanks
You can also make a knob using a screw cap from a soft drink (Soda) bottle they are easy to grip. Just do the same hot melt or epoxy bolt in the middle fill the cap and there you are
Use dowels to make those big-headed screws.
Use that dowel-drilling trick to drill centred holes in the dowels.
Slice on bandsaw.
Use the hotmelt glue trick to fill the hole. Epoxy would work too.
Paint (or not) to taste.
Sometimes it's good to be left-handed. I've never had a problem measuring incorrectly with the classic right handed tape-measure.
It’s better to use soft drink plastic caps or similars caps than using the wrench as a mould for the bolt head
What is the red compass tool? Where did you buy it? Love your videos!
Any guidance on when to try the "drilling backwards" thing? Like under which circumstances that might help?
Whenever your drill wants to wander or skate off your spot, try in reverse. Especially for hard surfaces like metals, glass and tile.
Olive oil work for the rench knob
To release hot melt glue use a few drops of denatured alcohol
Best way to make a quick knob is to take a HDPE screw on cap with nice a grippy edge, lay it flat, place your bolt sticking up and glue it in place with some epoxy putty to fill up the cap.. No mess and it it very strong.
Collin it seems like your audio is always kinda low and hard to hear. Love them though.
A tape measure is made for measuring not for marking. And we generally measure from left to right, the same as writing.
Can ypu reverse your drill press?
reverse drilling is the best way to do plexiglass.
Are zhe tips from Jack, Jill, Jane and Rob? It very diverse is it?
I thought I was the only one still using small metal C-clamps!... LOL
If you have that problem, get a Lefty Righty tape measure.
Never knew the left and right hand type. I make the same mistake and always 1 inch off. Wow who would ever. Guess
Some times you have to know when to just let it go… unfortunately
It’ll be much better if u demonstrate the drilling than just talking. It’ll show an immediate results than using our imagination
Of curse I admire you sir, but I notice your speaking is much-much longer than your experiments.Anyway, thanks
I like to use a vertical tape measure
Great tips! Thank you!