Anthony Whitesell
12-18-2008, 9:28 AM
I picked up a Woodcraft magazine (either the latest or previous issue) and saw the plans for making a herringbone serving tray (much like a breadboard with sides). I thought I'd like to give it a try. But I have a few questions about the plans and a possible better way(s) to make it.
1. The plans call for 2 sets of 13 strips that are 1/2" thick, 3/4" wide, and 24" long cut from 1/2" thick stock. Could I use 3/4" stock and cut them 1/2" wide then turn them 90 degrees for the glue up? I'm questioning the stability difference between glueing 3/4" wide strips cut from 1/2" thick stock side to side versus glueing 1/2" wide strips cut from 3/4" thick stock turned 90 degrees for the glue up.
2. The plans call for glueing the 13 strips into a 24"x9 3/4" square panel then cutting the panel on a 50 degree angle into 1 3/4" wide strips. As I can see this throws away two large triangle shaped pieces at each end of the board.
What would be the issue with staggering the 13 strips on a 50 degree angle during the glueup/assembly? If this has the possiblity of working, it would eliminate a lot of waste.
After I use the miter gauge to make the first cut at 50 degrees the end of the board would now be straight. Do I need to use the miter gauge for the subsequent cuts or can I switch to the rip fence? I can't see an issue with using the rip fence other than the end of the board will be not square to the work piece, but the end towards the fence will be straight.
1. The plans call for 2 sets of 13 strips that are 1/2" thick, 3/4" wide, and 24" long cut from 1/2" thick stock. Could I use 3/4" stock and cut them 1/2" wide then turn them 90 degrees for the glue up? I'm questioning the stability difference between glueing 3/4" wide strips cut from 1/2" thick stock side to side versus glueing 1/2" wide strips cut from 3/4" thick stock turned 90 degrees for the glue up.
2. The plans call for glueing the 13 strips into a 24"x9 3/4" square panel then cutting the panel on a 50 degree angle into 1 3/4" wide strips. As I can see this throws away two large triangle shaped pieces at each end of the board.
What would be the issue with staggering the 13 strips on a 50 degree angle during the glueup/assembly? If this has the possiblity of working, it would eliminate a lot of waste.
After I use the miter gauge to make the first cut at 50 degrees the end of the board would now be straight. Do I need to use the miter gauge for the subsequent cuts or can I switch to the rip fence? I can't see an issue with using the rip fence other than the end of the board will be not square to the work piece, but the end towards the fence will be straight.