Stash your miter gauge in a PVC holster

Changing from crosscutting to rip-cutting means finding some place to put the miter gauge. It's a nuisance to walk to the bench, put the miter gauge down, and then go back to retrieve it later. TIP: Build a holster for your miter gauge out of inexpensive 1"-diameter PVC pipe. Cut the pipe long enough to cover the guide bar plus 3". To prevent the gauge from rolling over, cut a 3" notch in one end of the pipe. Attach to the side of your saw using conduit brackets and sheet-metal screws. Now you'll never be more than an arm's reach away from the gauge.

Paint roller cover makes a great contour sander

TIP: The graceful curves of some projects aren't well suited to sanding with a power contour sander. To sand these these contours, I wrap a piece of sandpaper around an old (but still soft) paint roller cover. The nap of the roller gives plenty of cushion and contours itself to the workpiece. Use a 4"-long roller, or cut a longer roller to fit. For tighter curves, use a smaller diameter roller.

Make your work stay-put.

TIP: Using a miter gauge at an acute angle can cause the workpiece to slip. Cutting to fit and gluing a piece of medium-grit sand paper to the face of the gauge fence will resist slipping without marring your work.