Jul 032019
 
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No Southern-fried Southern boy wants to be called a Yankee, but we share the characteristics of shrewdness and thrift. Thus, each month we include a money-saving tip from Sticks in the Mud woodworker, Jim Randolph. It’s OK if you call him “cheap.”

I sent an email to Steve Johnson, and the background of an included photograph showed off a bunch of papers held together by a clothespin. Steve responded, “Clothespins instead of paper clips … I love it! I think there might be a ‘Tips’ column in that. Glue a Rare Earth Magnet to the back of one leg of the clothespin and you have a great way to hang
up notes, too!”

“Gee,” I thought, “doesn’t everyone use their clothespins that way?”

I can’t remember when I didn’t use clothespins to hold papers, but I’m going to say it started at Animal General Hospital. As you can see, labeled with Magic Marker, each one has its own special job.
In my vehicle, I’m never far from a clothespin. Because it’s essentially a one-man transport, I rarely have to worry about anyone wanting to use this seat belt.
In the shop I keep a supply by the sink and several on pegboard hooks in various locations around the shop.
In a pinch, you can even use them as a lightweight clamp. Here, I’m gluing a magnet to a clothespin, and having another clothespin hold things together while the super glue cures.
Here’s the clothespin holding the plans on the metal dust collector duct while I work.

Jim Randolph is a veterinarian in Long Beach, Mississippi. His earlier careers as lawn mower, dairy farmer, automobile mechanic, microwave communications electronics instructor and journeyman carpenter all influence his approach to woodworking. His favorite projects are furniture built for his wife, Brenda, and for their children and grandchildren. His and Brenda’s home, nicknamed Sticks-In-The-Mud, is built on pilings (sticks) near the wetlands (mud) on a bayou off Jourdan River. His shop is in the lower level of their home.Questions and comments on woodworking may be written below in the comments section. Questions about pet care should be directed to his blog on pet care, www.MyPetsDoctor.com. We regret that, because of high volume, not all inquiries can be answered personally.

  One Response to “Clothespin Magnets – Tips from Sticks in the Mud – July 2019 – Tip #2”

  1. I use binder clips Lg & sm for the same thing and they’re stronger

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