Here is another short but sweet tip, useful when adding solid edging to boxes, or trim to furniture.
Many times, the pieces I need to use are either too small, uneven or of a material to delicate to allow me to use normal clamping methods such as F or G clamps.
That’s the time to reach for ‘THE MASKING TAPE’ dispenser.
Using masking tape is a great and inexpensive way to hold things firmly in place until the adhesive tacks off, which will then allow you the opportunity for safely fastening with a more permanent method such as screws or brads. If you’re making a box, tape is usually sufficient to hold the piece in place permanently with no further fastening techniques required.
One word of caution: if you intend to do the required work within 24 hours of using the tape then the normal white/cream masking tape is fine. If you think it will take a couple of days to ‘get around’ to finishing that particular step, invest a couple of dollars in the slightly more expensive rolls of either green or blue tape as they are more forgiving when left on a job for a few days. It’s been my experience that after a couple of days the white/cream tape is harder to remove and can stain the timber it’s been placed on.
Steve Hay presents Woodworking Masterclass on 31 Digital, TVS, C31, 44 and WTV. Find out more from www.woodworkingmasterclass.com
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