Not sure if you saw my recent article on achieving the Natural Wood Look, but in it…
I mentioned how I sometimes use a plastic door sweep to apply grain filler.
Here’s how that came about, and then I’d love to hear what makeshift tools or “hacks” you’ve discovered.
So, as I was prepping for the Natural Wood Look article, I realized I had broken the plastic trowel I normally use to manipulate the Emtech® HSF5000 Primer / Surfacer / Filler into the grain, and had never replaced the trowel.
At that moment, I didn’t want to spend extra time going to a hardware store and purchasing a new trowel, so I started looking around my shop for something I could use as a substitute.
After a few minutes of searching my eyes landed on an old door sweep that had been replaced for a new one and now was destined for the landfill. I picked it up and realized pretty quickly it might actually be the perfect makeshift tool for my job.
It has a short flexible blade similar to a squeegee blade, and a piece of rigid plastic attached to grab on to. I also really like how short in height this makeshift tool is for filling grain because it gives me better control with spreading the filler.
I was also pleased I was able to repurpose something previously considered trash and give it a second life. This is just one small way professional finishing shops large and small can save time and money and reduce waste in the environment.
A number of you remarked about this “clever” idea (thanks!), so I started wondering about all the other great ideas that might be out there.
So, let me ask YOU:
Have you developed any clever, makeshift tools or time-saving “hacks” in your shop?
Please share your thoughts or read what others are saying in the comments section below.
Seth Kline has been a woodworker, wood finisher and business owner for the past 25 years. After helping grow his family’s home remodeling firm — Roy B Kline & Son — both as a craftsman and business operator, in 2013 Seth became the co-owner, lead woodworker, and shop manager of Stor Handmade Furniture, a highly successful solid wood furniture shop specializing in bespoke, hand-made and hand-finished pieces. In 2023, Seth launched SBCraftsman, which offers spray finishing and small business consulting to private clients. Originally from Pennsylvania, Seth now resides in Aberdeen, N.J., and is a proud member of the Central Jersey Woodworkers Association.
Really solid advice here! I’ve been focusing more on finishing techniques and wood protection lately, and your tips were spot on. For those who appreciate fine woodworking and quality builds, thewoodcarpenter.com is another great site to explore.