Taming the Thumbscrew

Taming the Thumbscrew

The guide blocks on my 14″ JET band saw have thumbscrews (wing nuts) that can be hard to get at – especially the lower ones. My solution is to cut an 8″ section of 1/2″ electrical conduit, then flatten one end in a vise so it fits neatly over a thumbscrew. Next, I put the hex head of the band saw’s table pin in the other end of the conduit and shape it with a hammer until it forms a wrench. Finally, I bend the conduit to about a 70° angle as shown. Adjusting the saw is much easier with this little shop-made tool.

– Jim Doering
Pekin, Illinois

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