I need to build a shooting board

[Brian Runau]

Good morning.

I see most of these built with MDF as the base, can I use plywood? I've got some good quality walnut plywood scrap, can I use this as the base and build on it?

Thanks.

Brian

[John TenEyck]

All that matters is that it's flat, and stays flat. People have used all manner of products over the centuries, starting with solid wood, but sheet good products offer greater stability over time.

John

[Brian Runau]

All that matters is that it's flat, and stays flat. People have used all manner of products over the centuries, starting with solid wood, but sheet good products offer greater stability over time.

John


Thanks John. I actually milled lumber yesterday and used a jig I had already built before. Thought I was past building jigs, guess not! Brian

[Andrew Hughes]

My shooting board is made from scraps of wood. Vertical grain fir for the base the fence is walnut. The parts I used hold their very well. I can and have flatten and square up as needed.
I have a semi open air uninsulated shop everything changes shape even plywood.

[Derek Cohen]

Good morning.

I see most of these built with MDF as the base, can I use plywood? I've got some good quality walnut plywood scrap, can I use this as the base and build on it?

Thanks.

Brian

Hi Brian

What do you want to use the shooting board for - squaring, shirt mitres, long mitres? I use one all the time for fitting drawer fronts.

I have built many over the years. A basic MDF or ply build will do for most people. However, there is nothing wrong with building one out of a nice hardwood - there is just so much extra pleasure in using one that is special.

The second consideration is the plane - what are you planning to use? I have used a range, with a LA Jack being very versatile, while I also have both the Veritas and the LN shooting planes based on the Stanley #51 [I have an original Stanley #51/52 shooting board and plane).

Here are some of the boards I built for ideas …

Ramped shooting board in Jarrah with strike block plane …

https://i.postimg.cc/26PMgKQG/Buildinga-Strike-Block-Plane-html-71a1e942.jpg

.. with Donkeys Ear, for shooting long mitres …

https://i.postimg.cc/SR5sVBwq/Buildinga-Mitred-Pencil-Boxwitha-Shooting-Board-html-m536ec68c.jpg

I called this one The Carousel. It can be used left-and right …

https://i.postimg.cc/qB1Tc110/Carousel_shooting_board.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/cCkGsJv6/2.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/43pGzZSF/4.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/MTD8F5x7/5.jpg

One for picture frames, which the opposing corners add to 90 degrees ..

https://i.postimg.cc/9Mmrftd3/Setting20-Up20and20-Using20a20-Shooting20-Board4-html-1115b63b.jpg

Reversed angle ramp board for veneer ..

https://i.postimg.cc/VsHdYt5T/Neilsboards1-zpsml35hkhh.jpg

Combination in MDF made for a LN Tool Event (in Perth). This design was by David Charlesworth for LN.

https://i.postimg.cc/nz3M9j2X/Shooting-Boardsforthe-LNHandtool-Event-html-m55ae9c07.jpg

Stanley #51/52 ….

https://i.postimg.cc/bvtyYYZx/D83DAC03-5341-4E3C-96A2-6BD1FAD86075.png


Regards from Perth

Derek

[Jacques Gagnon]

Derek,

Thanks for sharing. Your work is impeccable.

Regards,

J.

[Brian Runau]

Derek: you're just showing off, would too! Very nice. brian

[Jim Koepke]

Brian, you can use just about anything that will stay flat and doesn't fall apart.

Some old books show a bench hook being used as a shooting board.

My last shooting board was made to be ambidextrous:

488896

https://sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?244777

It has been set up to use with a Veritas LH Shooting Plane.

jtk