This is the ultimate list of Blu Tack® uses, or #BluHacks, for you to try around your home or in your workshop shed… with a few bonus ideas thrown in for good measure!
AD | This list is sponsored by Blu Tack® from Bostik, which you'll see from past projects that I've been using for years and not just as a school kid!
For those who want to know "what is Blu Tack®?", the best way I can describe it is that it's like a pliable, reusable, sticky putty.
It's non-toxic and my first memory of it is using it as a school kid to stick our artwork, charts, graphics, etc. in our classroom.
And I still use it today because Blu Tack® uses are endless. It gives me a helping hand on my projects and builds when working alone.
Now available in grey
It's reusable and comes in a variety of colours, such as original blue, pink, white, and now in Blu Tack® Grey! Depending on your project, you can pick a colour to match your surface, or be bold and stand out.
Also, with Blu Tack® Grey being darker, it's more discrete when using it for DIY projects.
Let me show you how I've been using it over the years and some bonus ways you might find handy if you're into electronics, etc.
1. Sticking up posters & signs
If you don't know how to use Blu Tack®, then one of the most common ways is to stick up posters, charts, and artwork.
But there's so much more to it than this!
2. Keep paintings & mirrors straight
We don't always want to ruin the walls with lots of screw holes for mirrors and pictures. But this also means if it's hanging by one point, it's likely to get knocked or go off centre.
To keep things straight you can place some blobs of Blu Tack® at the bottom and press it against the wall. Above is a mirror on our narrowboat, which would sway while the boat moved.
3. Store accessories near tools
I bought a chuck key to go with my 2nd hand drill press recently and needed a home to store it.
I mounted it in front so I can't miss it and it's a reminder to tighten the chuck each time I use it.
4. Make your most-used drill bits more accessible
Sick of rummaging for a drill bit each time you want to make pilot holes?
Then why not use this #BluHack and store a couple of your most used ones on the wall?
5. Store screws
I've often taken something apart and needed to store specific screws to put it back together later. Well, with the same idea as above, you can Blu Tack® screws to a wall too!
6. Blu Tack® pencil pot alternative
I am ALWAYS losing pencils (and tape measures) in my workshop!
A simple blob of Blu Tack® on the wall can save you from wasting time hunting for your pencil!!
7. Blu Tack® hacks for your drill
If you don't have a magnetic drill bit holder and it keeps falling out (which is SO annoying), then you can add a smidgen of Blu Tack® to the bit.
Just get into the habit of removing it after each use, because it sticks REALLY well when you've left it for months on end.
8. Keep screws steady
Again, without a magnetic drill bit holder, it's easy to drop screws on the floor. Instead, just add some on the head of the screw and you're sorted!
9. Rubbing pencil marks
I often change my mind on measurements I've drawn in pencil. And even just scribbling it out can confuse me and I've later made the wrong cut.
Instead, you can use Blu Tack® as an eraser.
I use this frequently as I don't usually have rubbers in my workshop.
10. Protect yourself from sharp edges
If you need to use something repetitively with sharp edges, like a cabinet scraper, then you can mould Blu Tack® around it.
The putty should naturally contour around your hands and possibly prevent blisters.
Blu Tack® Grey blends in nicely to avoid your cabinet scraper looking a bit odd too! Note, you may want to do this while sharpening too, as I stabbed myself with it BEFORE I got to this stage!
11. Fix a template together before routing
One of my favourite #BluHacks is while I'm using a router and a flush-trim router bit to match two pieces of wood, as seen in my DIY lap desk.
I'll Blu Tack® the wood as a fail-safe measure, then clamp the wood to some sawhorses before routering.
Then, when I come to move my clamps to continue trimming, I know I won't accidentally knock it out of place because the Blu Tack® keeps it secure. It also doesn't leave a residue behind like double-sided sticky tape would.
12. Planning tiles to cut tile trim
The many uses for Blu Tack® continues! A few years ago, I tiled a splashback in my utility kitchen using metro tiles. However, I scratched my head for a few minutes on how I was going to work out where to cut my tile trim.
I found the best way was to temporarily Blu Tack® some tiles to the wall. Or you could do it on a table. Then measure the height so you know where to cut your trim.
I started with my mitre cut first, then trimmed it down to size before removing the Blu Tack® and continued with tile adhesive.
13. Secure projects for sanding
If you want to sand something while keeping your hands away, you can Blu Tack® it to a worktable. I found this even better than using an anti-slip mat!
14. Blu Tack® bench dog hack
When painting projects, you can prop them up with balls of Blu Tack®, like quick DIY bench dogs so you can paint edges more crisply.
15. Blu Tack® stress ball
If there's Blu Tack® on my desk (or in my workshop), you can guarantee I'm playing with it in one hand while typing with the other!
16. Keeping a tape measure in place
There's nothing more annoying than a tape measure unhooking and collapsing on me when I'm on my own. Especially for tricky measurements.
Instead, stick a blob of Blu Tack® on it and hook it to where you're measuring!
17. Clamping for routering
If you don't have any clamps, with absolute caution, you can use lots of Blu Tack® on larger pieces and press down to a workbench to secure it.
Make sure the router bit isn't too close to the workbench or table in case you cut into it and don't push too hard with the router, which may loosen the Blu Tack®.
But it's a great way to keep your hands away from the router bit!
18. Create dividers in compartment organisers
A few weeks ago, I needed to organise my drill bits in my workshop. I bought a compartment organiser but didn't want to waste space in them.
They came with divider grooves, so I cut up some packers and instead of using glue, I used Blu Tack® to stop my drill bits getting mixed up.
That way, I can easily remove the Blu Tack® if I decide to change my system, whereas glue would be more permanent.
19. Blu Tack® coins to architrave for clearance
A few weeks ago, I needed to install a fitted wardrobe next to some door architrave. I didn't want it to be too tight a fit due to trim, etc. going on, so I temporarily fixed some 2p coins using Blu Tack® as a starting point and drew a level line.
20. Use coins as spacers when hanging doors
When you need to hang new internal doors, you can Blu Tack® coins as spacers to hang doors. Either fix them to the top of the door, or below the architrave and along the sides.
21. Hide keys
If you're struggling to think of a place to hide spare keys, then you can hide them under a workbench or other inconspicuous place using Blu Tack®.
22. Or snacks!
I usually work alone, but there's nothing stopping you from sticking some Blu Tack® to your snacks and hiding them away if you're worried about prying eyes!
23. Secure things on shelves
If you're worried about things getting knocked off your shelf or things vibrating off, then add some Blu Tack® to them too. It's better than without!
24. Clean crevices before painting
Sawdust can be a pain after making a project. If you're going to paint it, you can push Blu Tack® in the corners to remove stubborn bits.
Then when you come to paint, it'll be a cleaner finish and adhere better.
25. Secure your paint pot
Another way to use Blu Tack® is to add some at the bottom of your paint pot to prevent knocking it over and spilling. The same can go for your paint tray!
26. Secure washers while screwing upside down
Last month I put my new band saw together. However, this handle was a pain in the backside to install!
The handle needs to be fitted upside down and I kept dropping (and losing) the washer! After about three goes, I stuck the washer on using Blu Tack®, freeing my hands to tighten the very awkward handle.
27. Blu Tack® removes old Blu Tack®
It surprises me how many people don't know this on social media, but Blu Tack® is great for removing old Blu Tack®.
28. Help get you future measurements
A couple of years ago, I made some discrete filing boxes out of plywood to go on my shelf. But I needed to work around my existing foolscap suspension folders.
So, I did a "dry lay" by sticking some rebated offcuts to the sides, rested the dividers on top and got my measurement. Then I could carry on with the build.
29. Hide your laptop's webcam
One of my workshop tools is my laptop! And to stay safe, I like to use Blu Tack® to cover my webcam. Also, it's much quicker to remove if I'm about to have a Zoom call.
30. Clean ports
Sawdust can get everywhere! But Blu Tack® is great for cleaning ports in tools and phones, etc.
Image Credit: Blu Tack from Bostik
31. Keep cables out of the way
Speaking of electrics and gadgets, you can use Blu Tack® to keep cables out of the way.
32. Reduce door slam noise
If you have cupboards and lockers that make a noise when closing, you can add some Blu Tack® on the door jamb or frame to reduce the noise.
33. Mount a GoPro camera or similar
No tripod? No problem!
If you have a super lightweight camera, you can Blu Tack® it to get the perfect action shot!
Above, I stuck a cheap one (Apeman) to the wall so I could get a different camera angle while using my band saw.
34. Get a wall mounted visual
If you want to mount something lightweight on the wall, but you don't know if it will look right, then you can Blu Tack® it, then step back and see if it's level or where you want it.
If not, you can keep returning to tweak, step back and repeat until you're happy.
You might find this useful with lightweight clocks, etc. Note, this is a pic of me making a future logo for my workshop!
35. Keep your sewing needles organised
If you often swap a regular sewing machine needle to a leather or jean needle, then pop some Blu Tack® on the side so you don't get them jumbled up as you go.
36. Keep things steady in a mitre box
You'll still need to use your hands while cutting things in a mitre box, but using Blu Tack® to prevent awkward things like dowel twisting while cutting is really handy!
Bonus Blu Tack® uses
37. Making moulds or sculptures
Use your imagination and use Blu Tack® putty to sculpt art, models, etc.
38. Fix a wobbly chair leg
If you have a piece of furniture with a wobbly leg, a quick fix is to add some Blu Tack® under the culprit.
39. Blu Tack® pin cushion
If you need somewhere to store pins while sewing, you can again fix some Blu Tack® to your machine and use that!
40. Soldering electronics
Keep electronics steady with Blu Tack® while soldering them!
You can find a lot more products from Bostik available to suit a variety of projects. My other favourite is Fix & Flash, which I've used to make:
- Quick resin jewellery rings
- Glue mitre joins instantly
- Join offcuts for a curtain pole batten
- And other quick repairs!
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