Woodworking doesn’t have to be complicated. With a few clever tricks and simple tool hacks, you can save time, improve accuracy, and make your workshop life way easier. Whether you’re a weekend DIYer or a seasoned maker, these 24 simplest woodworking tool hacks will help you get the job done smarter—not harder.
1. Use a Pencil as a Spacer
Need consistent spacing between boards or slats? Use a standard pencil! It’s usually around 1/4″ thick—perfect for quick, even gaps.
2. Blue Tape for Clean Cuts
Applying painter’s tape before cutting plywood or melamine helps prevent tear-out. Just tape along your cut line and slice away.
3. Rub Wax on Screws
Driving screws into hardwood? Rub them on a candle or block of beeswax first—they’ll go in smoother and reduce splitting.
4. Clamp Cauls for Even Pressure
Clamp cauls (flat boards wrapped in packing tape) help distribute pressure evenly during glue-ups, keeping surfaces flat and aligned.
5. Hot Glue Temporary Clamps
Don’t have a clamp for that awkward piece? Use hot glue to hold it temporarily while your real glue sets, then pop it off.
6. Drill Depth Stop with Tape
Wrap painter’s tape around your drill bit to mark your depth. It’s quick, easy, and totally adjustable.
7. Use a Speed Square as a Saw Guide
Need a fast straight cut with a circular saw? Line up a speed square and use it as a guide—it keeps things accurate.
8. Sandpaper Grips on Clamps
Attach small bits of sandpaper to your clamp faces for extra grip—no more sliding during glue-ups.
9. Magnet Under Your Table
Glue a strong magnet under your workbench to hold your most-used bits, screws, or even a small wrench. Out of sight but always handy!
10. DIY Fence with a Straight Board
No table saw fence? Clamp a long, straight board as a temporary fence for rip cuts using a circular saw.
11. Card Scraper from a Gift Card
Repurpose an old gift card or credit card into a handy scraper for glue squeeze-out or tight areas. Flexible and free.
12. Rub Candle Wax on Tools
Rub candle wax on plane soles, saw blades, or drawer runners to reduce friction and improve performance.
13. Double-Sided Tape for Jigs
Need to attach a template or hold something small? Double-sided tape can temporarily hold parts while routing or sanding.
14. PVC Clamp Pads
Cut a slit in PVC pipe to slide over your clamp jaws—makeshift non-marring pads in seconds!
15. Binder Clip Blade Guard
Need a quick blade cover for your utility knife or small saw? A binder clip fits right over and keeps things safe.
16. Nail File for Detail Sanding
Tight spot? A nail file or emery board is perfect for smoothing inside corners or fine details.
17. Foam Pool Noodle for Sanding Curves
Wrap sandpaper around a cut piece of pool noodle to create the perfect flexible sanding block for curves and contours.
18. Use a Rubber Band on Stripped Screws
A wide rubber band placed over a stripped screw head helps your screwdriver grip and turn it more easily.
19. Painter’s Tape + Super Glue = Temporary Clamp
Place tape on both surfaces, then glue the tape together with CA glue. Instant temporary clamp—great for holding delicate parts.
20. Mallet Made from Scrap Wood
No mallet? Glue and screw together hardwood scraps. Add a dowel or old broomstick for the handle—done in 10 minutes.
21. Mark Blade Teeth, Not the Body
When measuring or setting blade height, mark the top of the teeth, not the blade body—it gives you an accurate reading.
22. Use a Ruler as a Router Base Spacer
Need to evenly raise your router base? Stack metal rulers or shims underneath for precision cuts.
23. Use a Straw to Remove Glue
Glue squeeze-out? Snip the end of a drinking straw at an angle and run it along the joint—it scoops out the excess perfectly.
24. Tack Cloth Substitute: Dryer Sheet
No tack cloth? Lightly used dryer sheets pick up dust and fine particles from your project just as well.
Final Thoughts
Woodworking doesn’t have to mean expensive gear or complex processes. Sometimes, it’s the simplest hacks that make the biggest difference. Try out a few of these tool tips in your next build—you might be surprised how much easier (and more fun) your projects become!
