Jolly Red
Member
I do not like the standard tube insertion tool. When I push in a tube, the tool will often jam into the end of the tube and pull it back out when I remove the tool. It is also difficult to push the tube into the blank to the depth I want, usually involving having to adjust the depth once the tool is taken out.
I believe I have made a tool to correct these issues, and make life a little easier. It is nothing but a piece of HDPE, about 1/8 inch thick, 3/4 inch wide and 6 inches long, which has a point cut on one end. The cut has an included angle of 90 degrees. The first photo shows the tool.
It is used just like the standard insertion tool, but will always push the tube into the blank to the same depth. This is set to give just enough material to square the end of the blank. Since this depth is consistent, the blank can be cut to allow just enough wood on the other end for squaring. This saves time when squaring, wear on the squaring tools used, and slightly longer cut offs to find a place to store.
The second photo shows the end of the blank with the tube pushed in by the tool, showing the amount of wood left for squaring. The third photo shows the other end of the same blank. I cut the blank so that it is about 1/16 inch longer than the tube.
This only takes a few minutes to make, and costs almost nothing. To try it you can make one out of wood and wax it to prevent glue from sticking to it. The HDPE is more durable and doesn't need waxing.
I believe I have made a tool to correct these issues, and make life a little easier. It is nothing but a piece of HDPE, about 1/8 inch thick, 3/4 inch wide and 6 inches long, which has a point cut on one end. The cut has an included angle of 90 degrees. The first photo shows the tool.
It is used just like the standard insertion tool, but will always push the tube into the blank to the same depth. This is set to give just enough material to square the end of the blank. Since this depth is consistent, the blank can be cut to allow just enough wood on the other end for squaring. This saves time when squaring, wear on the squaring tools used, and slightly longer cut offs to find a place to store.
The second photo shows the end of the blank with the tube pushed in by the tool, showing the amount of wood left for squaring. The third photo shows the other end of the same blank. I cut the blank so that it is about 1/16 inch longer than the tube.
This only takes a few minutes to make, and costs almost nothing. To try it you can make one out of wood and wax it to prevent glue from sticking to it. The HDPE is more durable and doesn't need waxing.
