06/20/2026
๐บ๐ธ One of the woodworking techniques uses flat dental floss as a temporary aid for installing and removing a ball catch during the test-fitting stage.
Function of the Dental Floss in the Image
Removal Aid: The dental floss is used to facilitate pulling out the hardware that has been inserted into a narrow wooden hole.
Precision Test-Fitting: This technique allows the craftsman to test the depth of the hole. If the hole is too shallow or too deep, the ball catch can be easily removed by pulling both ends of the dental floss straight upward without damaging the wood or the hardware.
Finishing: Once the hole depth is correct and the hardware is permanently installed, the ends of the dental floss can be trimmed flush with the wood surface using a sharp chisel or knife.
Components Shown
Ball Catch: A brass or metal hardware component typically used on small cabinet doors to provide an elegant closing action.
Flat Dental Floss: A flat, smooth, and strong type of dental floss (such as Glide) is highly recommended because it does not easily break when pulled.
The technique of using flat dental floss as a temporary aid in woodworking allows the test-fitting process of a ball catch to be more precise and safe, as the hardware can be tested for hole depth and then pulled straight upward without damaging the wood, before finally being permanently installed and the remaining floss trimmed flush with the surface