dedee
Established Member
I made one at last.
Managed over 5 hours in the workshop today. This is the longest single stint I have managed in at least 2 years.
Apart from a lot of clearing up from an almost complete greenhouse project I managed to make one of these.
The design is as per Alf's excellent thread of a while back.
It may have taken me some hours to build but then I do not have one of those mythical off cuts box that some of the jig meisters seem to have on hand. All my off cuts seem to be about 12" long an good for very little.
As this is my first ever shooting board I decided not to glue anything in case I need to redesign or adjust.. The screws may little unsightly but I was not happy screwing into the thinner piece of wood as would have been the case if I went from underneath. The base is 3/4" birch ply with 1/2" for the upper board. I've no idea what the stop is made from but was part of an old door frame.
I tried using it held between the bench dogs but found this uncomfortable. I settled on an angled batten underneath that will be held in the front vice.
I am not so sure that the LA smoother is the most comfortable plane to be used in this way but I am pleased with the results so far.
I also threw together a fence for the jack plane ( the longest plane I have, at the moment). Getting the rear clamp in place on the jack plane there was not much room for my hand. It was much more comfortable, and easier to attach, on the LA smoother.
It looks a bit Heath-Robinsonish but it is surprisingly well balanced. I do not have the nerve (nor skills) to have this bolted directly to the plane sides so will have to make do with the clamps.
On this piece of 5/8ths oak it made a far better job of keeping the edge square than I would I have managed without it. I am sure it will be even easier to use on wider boards.
I intend to use that oak on the forthcoming comp it is quarter sawn and has some stunning medullar rays that must be suitable for something.
After all those hours in the workshop my hands are shot to pieces, I must remember to use barrier cream BEFORE my skin starts to split.
Andy
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Managed over 5 hours in the workshop today. This is the longest single stint I have managed in at least 2 years.
Apart from a lot of clearing up from an almost complete greenhouse project I managed to make one of these.
The design is as per Alf's excellent thread of a while back.
It may have taken me some hours to build but then I do not have one of those mythical off cuts box that some of the jig meisters seem to have on hand. All my off cuts seem to be about 12" long an good for very little.
As this is my first ever shooting board I decided not to glue anything in case I need to redesign or adjust.. The screws may little unsightly but I was not happy screwing into the thinner piece of wood as would have been the case if I went from underneath. The base is 3/4" birch ply with 1/2" for the upper board. I've no idea what the stop is made from but was part of an old door frame.
I tried using it held between the bench dogs but found this uncomfortable. I settled on an angled batten underneath that will be held in the front vice.
I am not so sure that the LA smoother is the most comfortable plane to be used in this way but I am pleased with the results so far.
I also threw together a fence for the jack plane ( the longest plane I have, at the moment). Getting the rear clamp in place on the jack plane there was not much room for my hand. It was much more comfortable, and easier to attach, on the LA smoother.
It looks a bit Heath-Robinsonish but it is surprisingly well balanced. I do not have the nerve (nor skills) to have this bolted directly to the plane sides so will have to make do with the clamps.
On this piece of 5/8ths oak it made a far better job of keeping the edge square than I would I have managed without it. I am sure it will be even easier to use on wider boards.
I intend to use that oak on the forthcoming comp it is quarter sawn and has some stunning medullar rays that must be suitable for something.
After all those hours in the workshop my hands are shot to pieces, I must remember to use barrier cream BEFORE my skin starts to split.
Andy
[/img][/url]
