Workshop notes

Shorter pieces on the problems these tools exist to solve. For the reference tables — hole sizes, temperatures — see the guides. Technical guides

• 2026-11-01

  Drilling Accuracy Without a Drill Press

  A portable drill guide constrains a handheld drill to a fixed axis and can match drill press accuracy for many tasks. This article covers which jigs help, what features matter, and where handheld drilling still falls short.

• 2026-10-14

  Bench Vise Buying Guide: Jaw Width, Clamping Range, and Mounting

  A plain-language guide covering jaw width options (4" to 8"), accuracy differences between standard and machinist vises, and how to mount a bench vise without damaging the benchtop.

• 2026-10-11

  Choosing a Soldering Iron for Heat-Set Inserts

  Choosing a soldering iron for heat-set inserts: what temperature range, wattage, and tip geometry to look for — and when a dedicated press replaces the iron entirely.

• 2026-09-23

  How to Mount a Drill Press Vise Square and Keep It There

  How to mount a drill press vise square and keep it there: alignment method, bolt sequence, shim technique, and how to stop the vise from shifting under load.

• 2026-09-20

  Drill Stand Versus a Benchtop Drill Press: Which One for Your Work

  Drill stand versus a benchtop drill press: which one for your work — a plain comparison of accuracy, cost, RPM range, and production fit for B2B and workshop buyers.

• 2026-09-13

  Drill Press Stand DIY vs. Buying One: What the Build Actually Costs

  Drill press stand DIY versus buying one: material costs, hidden tool expenses, and the alignment problem that makes most pipe-and-wood builds less economical than they first appear.

• 2026-09-09

  Screw Hole Size for 3D Printed Parts

  Hole sizes for screwing straight into a 3D print, why the thread strips after a few cycles, and when a brass insert becomes the cheaper answer.

• 2026-09-09

  Heat Set Insert Kit: What Is Actually in One and What You Need

  A heat set insert kit is a set of brass threaded inserts — nothing more. Here is what a kit contains, what it omits, and what tools you actually need to install them.