Jeffrey Larsen
07-04-2007, 11:51 PM
I am incredibly new to all this. Although I have some "modern power tools," by choice, I am drawn to hand tools. I am currently working to get basic tools and learn basic techniques.
First, For building nice fitting furniture, is it reasonable to expect miters to be accurate with one cut, of, and here is the question, Is it likely that a shooting board would be used most of the time to get a really nice fitting joint?
the second question question has to do with shooting boards--most I have seen are used with a plane that has a blade on the side; I don't have one of those; Does anyone have suggestions on how to build on that could be used with a more traditional plane?
3rd, What miter box set-ups are best for getting accurate miters with hand tools? At this point, I have 3 options and would like to know what others think on this issue:
I have various angle guides that I can draw any angle on a board with and then regular handsaws to cut the angle--have various diston and sandvik saws--both rip and crosscut as well as a new stanley saw.
secondly, I have an old cast iron stanley miter box--the old on that is cast iron and weighs about 40 pounds-- have that and the diston/made for stanley back saw that goes with it.
third, I have a new stanley miter box--the 50$ kind from lowes.
Finally, I have a device--the "topman 265' JAPONESE saw and miter set up. This is a nifty setup that I picked up dirt cheap off ebay; I am very impressed with it--it has a protractor that allows measuring 45-45, and also allows compound cuts. it isn't very traditional looking, but when I pay attention to details, the pieces have com out of this one so accurate that it is unreal.
Any advice on how a new comer to amatur wood working (clock cases, barristers book cases, a babys crib, various furniture pieces, etc are my goals.) will get the best miter cuts possible with reasonably priced equipment?
Thanks, Jeff
First, For building nice fitting furniture, is it reasonable to expect miters to be accurate with one cut, of, and here is the question, Is it likely that a shooting board would be used most of the time to get a really nice fitting joint?
the second question question has to do with shooting boards--most I have seen are used with a plane that has a blade on the side; I don't have one of those; Does anyone have suggestions on how to build on that could be used with a more traditional plane?
3rd, What miter box set-ups are best for getting accurate miters with hand tools? At this point, I have 3 options and would like to know what others think on this issue:
I have various angle guides that I can draw any angle on a board with and then regular handsaws to cut the angle--have various diston and sandvik saws--both rip and crosscut as well as a new stanley saw.
secondly, I have an old cast iron stanley miter box--the old on that is cast iron and weighs about 40 pounds-- have that and the diston/made for stanley back saw that goes with it.
third, I have a new stanley miter box--the 50$ kind from lowes.
Finally, I have a device--the "topman 265' JAPONESE saw and miter set up. This is a nifty setup that I picked up dirt cheap off ebay; I am very impressed with it--it has a protractor that allows measuring 45-45, and also allows compound cuts. it isn't very traditional looking, but when I pay attention to details, the pieces have com out of this one so accurate that it is unreal.
Any advice on how a new comer to amatur wood working (clock cases, barristers book cases, a babys crib, various furniture pieces, etc are my goals.) will get the best miter cuts possible with reasonably priced equipment?
Thanks, Jeff