Index
Numbers
3D designing, tracing photos of objects, 150
3D printing
bed adhesive, 149
digital fabrication, 155
low res, 150
parts from McMaster-Carr, 154
test prints, 153
texture of print layers, 153
water transfer film, 153
3D prints
adding patterns, 153
finishing, 153
A
acetate overlays, using in notebooks, 26
acrylic drilling, water cooling, 92. See also drilling
acrylic paint, thinning, 139
aged brass look, applying, 128
agitator balls, adding to paint, 138
Akiba Wang, Chris, 29
alligator clips, declawing, 113
aluminum alloys, 33
aluminum foil
cleaning chrome, 165
lining paint trays, 132
masking with, 132
Amamoto, Ken, 64
angling bins, 15
anticipating next steps, 31
Antonowicz, Stefan, 182
Argaiv, Antron, 116
assumptions, avoiding, 34
attire for makers, 28
auction buying notes, 104
awl, 92
B
baking soda, using in glue, 78
Balloondoggle, 39
bar clamps, extending, 68. See also clamps
Barb Makes Things, 180
Barnes, Kent, 5
Bates, Jay, 3
battery organizer, 5
beer 6-packs, protecting, 178
“Beginning Engineer’s Checklist,” 28
Bell, Donald
cable weaving with zip ties, 14–15
Casio Rapman keyboard, 16
solder points, finishing, 114
The Ben Heck Show, 27
best practices, 53–54, 78. See also tips
Big Gulp Syndrome, avoiding, 103–104
bike lock, two bikes, 169
bike tire, fixing with hand pump, 166
binder clips
as helping hands, 115
organizing with, 3
Bird by Bird, 21
Birkey, Andy
measuring multi-part epoxies, 45
reducing nail gun pressure, 99
black hot glue, using as light sealant, 108
blades
dullness, 57
keychain strop, 143
Boardman, Lindsey, 39
bonding plastic pieces, 72. See also gluing
BonzoGog1, 138
brainstorming, 32
brass look, applying, 128
bread tags, using to label cables, 7
brush cleaning rack, creating, 134–135
brush tips, re-pointing, 130. See also paintbrushes
build early/build often, 22
building, best practices, 25, 28
bulletin board, making, 10
Bunker, Jordan, 136
C
CA (cyanoacrylate) glue
lubricating caps, 79
using as gap filler, 78
using on cuts, 168
cable splice, making, 118
cables
identifying, 7
labeling with bread tags, 7
standing off, 14
canned air, using to break glue, 78
carpenter square, finding center of circle, 43
Casio Rapman keyboard, 16
caulking gun, using as clamp, 67
CD spindles, organizing cables, 13
chalkboard, making, 10
checklist for makers, 28
children, safety tips, 170–172
chloroform solvent, 120
chrome, cleaning with aluminum foil, 165
circle, finding center, 43
circuit board glue, troubleshooting, 164. See also glue
Clagett, Bob
pocket notebooks, 12
sanding grips, 126
spinning shop organizer, 15
clamping jig, creating, 81
clamps. See also bar clamps
as caulking guns, 68
caulking guns as, 67
creating with PVC, 66
driving nails, 66
hot glue, 81
leather pads, 68
speed handling, 67
Clarke, Ethan, 169
cleanup, including in job estimates, 25
climbing out, using, 60
clocks, repairing, 97
closing gaps, 75
CNC (computer numerical control) routers
saving laptop, 154
CNC prints, skipping tabs, 155
CNC router bits, inspecting, 154
color-coding screwdrivers, 6
compass-cutter, hobby-knife, 60
component-lead tools, using, 105–106
concepts, sketching, 29
Conner Tanguay, Sara, 155
containment boxes, making, 126
Cool Tools website, 2
copper pipe, small-diameter, 60
cords, managing, 13
Cox, George, 175
Crane, Mark, 39
Cullum, Len, 145
cut piece, holding up, 63
cuts, fixing with Super Glue stitches, 168
cutting
bendable join in wood, 57
clearing metal scribing, 61
climbing out, 60
hacksaw, 61
hand sawing, 57
hobby-knife compass-cutter, 60
listening to tools, 60
PCB fiberglass, 102
pipe with string, 62
polyurethane foam, 63
retractable pocket saw blade, 58
rip and flip, 56
router protection, 60
scoring and breaking foamboard, 63
shortening bolts, 61
small-diameter copper pipe, 60
square of saw, 61
straightedge table saw, 56
table saw blade, 57
tape for preventing tear-out, 63
cutting jig, building, 58
cutting mats, using craft mats, 174–175
D
dart gun, using to pick up things, 174
day for night, photography, 175
de Vinck, Marc, 122
dead space, using, 3
Deagan, Tim, 156
dents in wood, getting rid of, 127
designing for disassembly, 28
desoldering, 113
Devaney, Kevin, 39
diamond cut, speed square, 49
die-cutting/stencil-making machines, 155
digital scale
keeping clean, 121
multi-part epoxies, 45
DiResta, Jimmy
DuPont power hammer, 31
proud joints, 74
shop counterweight, 75
using new machines, 22
Dirt Famer Jay, 13
drawing
pictures, 69
stitching lines on fabric, 160
drawing concepts, 29
drill
taping level to, 88
wooden drilling guide, 88
drill bits
keeping steady, 91
drill depth, marking, 88
drill press chuck, saving, 89
drilling. See also acrylic drilling; holes
CD used for holes, 91
holes, 90
nail as pilot hole bit, 91
punching before, 91
DSCOTTHEP, 39
duct tape vs. WD-40, 74
due diligence, 18
dull blades, working with, 57
DuPont power hammer, 31
Durant, Megan, 39
E
eBay, buying electronic components, 103–104
edges, marking as not true, 53
electric knife, cutting polyurethane foam, 63. See also knives
electronic components, buying on eBay, 103–104
electronics, prying open, 177
electronics insulator, hot glue, 83
electronics tweezers, using, 106
encouragement, providing, 174
epoxies, working with, 120
epoxy putty, rolling in flour, 122
equipment, storing, 10
equipment dead space, using, 3
Evil Mad Scientist Labs, 106
F
fabric
drawing stitching lines, 160
holding in place, 161
fabric grip, no-slip, 162
fabric paint, making, 133. See also paint
Family Handyman, 61
fasteners and screws, organizing, 4
fastening. See also screws
holding screws in place, 96
rubber band on stripped screw, 94
uses for poster putty, 95
Ferry, Nick, 41
Feynman technique, learning with, 18
first aid, 28
first aid kit
meds, 169
razors, 170
first order retrievability, 2
Fizenberger, Pat, 39
flea market, brainstorming at, 32
foamboard
scoring and breaking, 63
sealing edges, 84
“Frankenstein prototyping,” 20
freezer power-loss indicator, 180
friction welding, 72
fridge magnet battery organizer, 5
Frishman, Bob, 97
furniture, painting, 130
G
gap filler, using, 78
gaps, closing, 75
gloves, using with touchscreens, 160
glue. See also circuit board glue; hot glue
needle bottles and capillary action, 85
scooping up squeeze-out, 84
spreading with threaded rod, 79
squeeze tubes, 79
water-resistant mixture, 85
glue strings, getting rid of, 79
gluing. See also bonding plastic pieces
around metal, 80
best practices, 78
breaking with canned air, 78
gap fillers, 78
and prefinishing, 80
preventing board traveling, 80
shaving at “gel” stage, 80
solvent cement, 82
Godin, Seth, 2
grandfathers
Five Little Notches, 30
Maker of Magic, 30
graphite transfer, 177
gratitude loop, 2
grips, creating, 8. See also sanding grips
H
hacksaw, getting into tight space, 61
hammer
closing gaps, 75
substituting, 76
hammer handle, tape-dispensing, 72
hand awl, 92
hand sawing with orbital stroke, 57
Hart, Alden, 39
“hassle tax,” 17
header pins, holding straight, 114
heat-seal organizer, 10
Heck, Ben, 27
Helsinki bus station theory of creativity, 22–23
Hershberger, Ross, 107
Hoefer, Steve, 160
holding down workpieces, 177–178
holes. Seealso drilling; pass-through holes
digging with Shop Vac, 178
drilling, 90
Hollar, Kelly, 39
hot glue. See also glue
bonding sticks, 83
combining with PVA glue, 82
debonding with alcohol, 79
electronics insulator, 83
healing burns, 81
as light sealant, 108
molds, 83
prototyping, 82
sealant, 83
sealing edges of foamcore, 84
using as clamp, 81
Hrynkiw, Dave
arranging tools, 7
cutting small-diameter copper pipe, 60
hydrographic film, 153
I
images, transferring, 177
Ippolito, Frank, 121
irons, maintaining, 165
isometric perspective, drawing in, 23–24
J
Jackman, Paul, 75
job estimates, including cleanup, 25
joining. See also tape
bonding plastic pieces, 72
closing gaps, 75
folding tape, 72
friction welding, 72
tape-dispensing hammer handle, 72
joints, making proud, 74
K
Kaye, Perry, 20
Ken’s punch, 64
keychain strop, making for blades, 143
kids
knives, testing edges, 142–143. See also electric knife
knobs, casting, 122
Kraft, Caleb, 6
Kramer, Bob, 142
L
Lamott, Anne, 21
laser engraving, color tinting, 156
learning
Feynman technique, 18
wading into, 31
leatherworking, high-tech, 156
LEGO bricks
mold boxes, 121
organizing, 9
level
taping to drill, 88
using speed square as, 49
light sealant, black hot glue, 108
Lillis, Tim
aged brass look, 128
bike lock, 169
cutting small-diameter copper pipe, 60
day for night photography, 175
gloves and touchscreens, 160
grips, 8
organizing cables, 12
organizing LEGO bricks, 9
part multiples, 122
protecting beer 6-packs, 178
time-lapse panorama, 177
true north without compass, 179
vise/clamp with heat sink properties, 67
voltage ratings for motors, 102
lines
bringing off pages, 59
scribing with tape measure, 40
X-Acto knife, 59
lubricant, pencil as, 96
M
machine shop, considering hiring, 32–34
magnets
for locating pass-through holes, 9
using, 175
magnification, using with PCB work, 105
maker’s checklist, 28
makezine, maker’s checklist discussion, 28
manufacturing process, understanding, 33
markers, using, 52
marking tools
adding to tape measures, 42
razors, 52
speed squares, 46
using, 6
markings, painting over, 52
marks, scratching with tape measure, 38
masks, poster putty, 95
matchsticks, filling screw holes, 176
materials
ordering, 24
specifying for machine shops, 33
storing, 10
matte glaze medium, making, 139
measuring. See also speed square; tape measure
body parts, 36
and designing, 69
distance with thumb, 37
hook slot on tape measure, 38
long distances, 45
multi-part epoxies, 45
notepad on tape measure, 37
pitches, 48
speed square, 47
sticks, 41
measuring tape, using as notepad, 37–38
meds, keeping in first aid kit, 169
Meston, Geoff, 15
metal detectors, magnets as, 175
metal scribing, making clear, 61. See also scribe bar
Miter square, speed square as, 46
Modern Leatherworking, 156
molds, creating with hot glue, 83
motors, voltage ratings, 102
MSDS (material safety data sheet), 82
N
Nagy, Richard, 128
nail grab, using to scribe lines, 40
nail gun pressure, reducing, 99
nails, driving with clamps, 66
names of things, power in, 22
NASA’s Required Workmanship Standards, 117–118
needle bottles and capillary action, 85
needles
changing, 160
rethreading, 161
threading, 158
North, Doug, 97
north, finding without compass, 179
notebooks
acetate overlays, 26
keyword index, 11
making, 12
notepad on tape measure, 37–38
O
orbital stroke, hand sawing, 57
ordering materials, 24
organization. See also planning
binder clips, 3
cables, 12
cords, 13
fasteners and screws, 4
first order retrievability, 2
gratitude loop, 2
heat seal, 10
rituals, 2
see-through bins, 4
of shop, 4
straps, 9
Overstreet, Michael, 149
Oxford, Jon, 76
P
paint. See also fabric paint
adding agitator balls, 138
avoiding contamination, 132
drain holes in cans, 132
thinning acrylics, 139
trimming rollers, 132
paint and brush holder, making, 133
paint cans, labeling bottoms, 134
paint shield, using, 130
paint stripper, solvent cement, 82
paint trays, lining, 132
paint washes, making, 138
paintbrush, covering, 127
painter’s tape
low tack, 137
using as template, 137
painting
masking materials, 132
masking off areas, 137
raising up finishing work, 130
reviving wood putty, 133
paintbrushes, wiping off, 131. See also brush tips
Palmer, Chris, 23
parts
buying surplus of, 25
making multiples, 122
replacing, 69
sorting on sticky mat, 102
storing, 10
tracking, 4
universe as collection of, 20
pass-through holes, locating, 9. See also holes
PCB fiberglass, cutting, 102
PCB work, using magnification, 105
PCBs (printed circuit boards)
cleaning, 107
depopulating, 113
enclosure, 29
pencil, using as lubricant, 96
pencil point, keeping sharp, 52–53
perfectionism, 2
photography, day for night, 175
picking up, using dart gun, 174
pictures, hanging, 176
pins, using for sewing, 158
pipe, cutting with string, 62
pitches, measuring, 48
pivot locator, 97
plane, flattening sole of, 144–145
planning. See also organization
learning, 23
project enclosures, 29
plastic pieces, joining, 72
plastic shrink film, using, 180
Platt, Charles, 63
playing cards, using in shop, 41
pocket notebooks, making, 12
polycaprolactone, using, 120
polyurethane foam, cutting with electric knife, 63
Popular Woodworking, 57
poster putty, uses for, 95, 115
pour spouts, fabricating, 176
Price, Josh, 155
printing. See 3D printing
project build, documenting, 181
project enclosure, planning, 29
projects, laying out on paper, 27
prototyping tool, poster putty, 95
protractor, speed square as, 46, 48
PVA glue, combining with hot glue, 82
PVC pipe
bending with hot sand, 123
spray can holders, 15
Q
Qi, Jie, 59
quotes, providing, 25
R
rafter square
and carpenter square, 44
Common mark, 48
diamond cut, 49
features, 46
HIP-VAL mark, 48
as level, 49
manual, 50
marking, 46
measuring, 47
protracting, 48
saw guide, 47
scribe bar, 47
razors
keeping in first aid kits, 170
marking with, 52
reed hook, 97
repair cafe, finding or starting, 164
retractable pocket saw blade, 58
rip and flip, 56
router protection, 60
ruler, finding center of circle, 43–44
“Rules for Roboticists,” 19, 28
S
safety
Super Glue stitches, 168
tool use, 168
safety glasses, using, 28
safety pin sling, making, 169
Sanders, Gary, 39
sanding disks, storing, 127
sanding grips, making, 126. See also grips
Savage, Adam, 2
saw, checking square of, 61
saw blade, retractable pocket, 58
saw guide, speed square, 47
“Sawdust Girl,” 52
Scheff-King, Meredith, 154
Schlegel, Reid, 29
screen printing, wood glue, 179
screw drivers, color-coding, 6
screw holder, poster putty, 95
screw holes, filling, 176
screws. See also fastening; wood screws
holding in place, 96
lubricating, 96
organizing, 4
taping slotted drivers, 98
scribe bar, speed square, 47. See also metal scribing
scribe marks, making, 53
sealant, hot glue, 83
Seitz, David, 39
sewing
changing needles, 160
stitching lines on fabric, 160
threading needles, 158
using pins, 158
sewing machine mistakes, fixing, 161–162
ShapeLock plastic, using, 120
sharpening
angle, 142
flattening sole of planes, 144–145
keychain strop, 143
sharpening stone
ceramic mugs as, 143
using soap, 143
Sharpies
metal scribing, 61
using, 53
shop counterweight, improvising, 75
shop organizer, 15
shop scale, keeping clean, 121
Shop Vac, digging holes, 178
shrink film plastic, using, 180
Slagle, Tim
eBay electronics buying tips, 104
extra parts, 25
small parts, tracking, 4
solder points, finishing, 114
soldering
connection vs. strength, 116
and desoldering, 113
holding header pins straight, 114
order of, 113
and splicing to NASA standards, 117–118
tips, 117
soldering iron, cleaning, 113
soldering sponge, wetting, 113
solvent cement, paint stripper, 82
speed square
and carpenter square, 44
Common mark, 48
diamond cut, 49
features, 46
HIP-VAL mark, 48
as level, 49
manual, 50
marking, 46
measuring, 47
protracting, 48
saw guide, 47
scribe bar, 47
splicing and soldering, 117–118
spray can holders, creating, 15
spray paint
clearing nozzles, 137
reviving cans, 135
storing nozzles, 138
square of saw, checking, 61
squares, carpenter and speed, 43–44
stain brush, covering, 127
Stanley FatMax tape measures, 45
stencil-making machines, 155
Stern, Becky, 118
stitching, making even, 161
stitching lines, drawing on fabric, 160
storage, heat-seal organizer, 10
straightedge table saw, using, 56
straps, organizing, 9
stretch wrap, organizing straps, 9
strop, making for blades, 143
supplies, storing, 10
surface roughness, specifying for machine shops, 33
Sway, Tim, 175
T
table saw blade, tightening, 57
tape. See also joining
folding for easy retrieval, 72
reducing adhesion, 74
tabbing for easy retrieval, 73–74
tape measure. See also measuring
adding marking tool, 42
end hook slot, 38
long distance measuring, 45
making hands free, 42
retrieving tools, 44
scratching marks, 38
serrated edge, 40
Stanley FatMax, 45
unassisted measuring, 38
zero hook feature, 40
tear-out, preventing with tape, 63
Tested.com, 121
test-fitting tool, poster putty, 95
thread, preventing knotting, 161–162
threading needles, 158
Tilden, Mark W., 102
time-lapse panorama, taking, 177
tips. See also best practices
from dads, 39
Plumb, Andrew, 69
toilet paper tubes, organizing cables with, 8
tolerances, specifying for machine shops, 32–33
tool markings. See marking tools
tool wall, laying out, 5
tools
arranging for easy retrieval, 7
checklist, 28
finding at estate sales, 176
giving away, 178
hand awl, 92
listening to, 60
marking, 6
pivot locator, 97
prying open electronics, 177
quality, 26
reed hook, 97
retrieving with tape measures, 44
using safely, 168
weaver’s hook, 97
Towe, Larry, 177
transferring images, 177
triangle square
and carpenter square, 44
Common mark, 48
diamond cut, 49
features, 46
HIP-VAL mark, 48
as level, 49
manual, 50
marking, 46
measuring, 47
protracting, 48
saw guide, 47
scribe bar, 47
Tricks of the Trade
aged brass look, 128
beer 6-packs, 178
bike locks, 169
cutting copper pipe, 60
gloves and touchscreens, 160
grips, 8
LEGO bricks, 9
organizing cables, 12
part multiples, 122
shooting day for night, 175
time-lapse panorama, 177
true north without compass, 179
vise/clamp with heat sink properties, 67
voltage ratings for motors, 102
true north, finding without compass, 179
Try square, speed square as, 46
tweezers, using, 106
U
universe, collection of parts, 20
ur-tip, 35
V
Valenzuela, Miguel, 5
vibration stabilizer, poster putty, 95
von Slatt, Jake, 178
W
Walker, Nick, 34
Walnes, Tilly, 162
washer, using with helping hands, 115
water transfer film, 153
water-resistant mixture, 85
WD-40 vs. duct tape, 74
weaver’s hook, 97
websites
Cool Tools, 2
Evil Mad Scientist Labs, 106
first aid, 28
Lillis, Tim, 8
maker skills for kids, 181–182
maker’s checklist, 28
safety glasses, 28
tools checklist, 28
Wheat, Dale, 172
wood, bendable join, 57
wood, branding with ammonium chloride, 128
wood dents, getting rid of, 127
wood filler, masking around, 127
wood glue, screen printing, 179
wood putty, reviving, 133
wood screws, starting, 98. See also screws
workpieces, holding down, 177–178
wrenches, cheating, 98
Wright, James, 179
X
X-Acto knife, bringing line off pages, 59
Z
zero hook feature, tape measure, 40
zip ties
standing-off cables, 14
trimming excess tail, 96