Shop-made tools.....on the low end

Re: Shop-made tools.....on the low end

Nice Roger!

Tell us about the one at the bottom.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Re: Shop-made tools.....on the low end

That's a kerf maker. Roger can explain it, but I'll note that there are two levels of functionality for these things. The simpler ones are calibrated for a single tool that cuts a single width kerf, while the higher level ones can be adapted to multiple dado widths and different kerf widths. I think Rogers is the more complicated but his kerf widths are limited to hand saw kerfs. There are also commercially manufactured versions, the most well known, made in anodized aluminum and brass, from Bridge City.

Re: Shop-made tools.....on the low end

Derek.....William is correct.....that is a kerf gauge. You should watch a few YouTube videos and get a visual understanding of the gauge and how it is adjusted and so on......it's really simple and easy to use (but, beyond my ability to articulate).....and it is highly accurate. For a maker like you who chases perfection and loves precision.....you want one of these in your kit.....you will find a multitude of uses for it given the wide diversity of your projects.

Mine is made for use on a sled on my table saw.....I used it last year to make the pictured cutting gauges.....it precisely made the opening for the beam to slide in thru the fence of the gauge.....

the construction is also simple.....

You should definitely have one (and so should everyone else).......

Re: Shop-made tools.....on the low end

You should definitely have one (and so should everyone else).......  

Mmm … Roger, how would one use this with a dado plane? 

Regards from Perth

Derek

Re: Shop-made tools.....on the low end

You do not use a dado with this .....it is made to be used with a single blade.......the gauge is adjusted to the thickness of the blade will be using in your table saw......and then the gauge is adjusted for the thickness of the piece of wood that will need an opening .....like , in my example, the gauge is set for the thickness of my cutting gauge beam......and the corresponding cut is made in the fence......the gauge allows you to accurately make the two end cuts......and then you make several passes and cut out the center waste......with just one blade .....not add

Re: Shop-made tools.....on the low end

not a dado..........

I really miss not being able to edit

Re: Shop-made tools.....on the low end

please watch a YouTube video.....there are many......this will make it understandable

Re: Shop-made tools.....on the low end

Stumpy Nubs has a video in which he demos a commercially made kerfmaker......but you get the idea.......on YouTube look for "No more dado setup - Get a Kerfmaker" by Stumpy on 10-27-21. There are dozens more that will also show shop made versions like what I made.

Thanks Roger.

Some of my favourite shopmade tools.

This is also an invitation for others to post theirs.

Possibly the most complex plane I have built was this bridle plough plane, based on one from Mathieson. Made in West Australian Sheoak and Jarrah ...

A much simpler construction was this router plane, which was designed around Veritas blades. Also a Causerina. This one was made for a WoodCentral auction ...

This was a brace (5" throw) built for a WC tool competition in 2008. It now lives with a good friend ...

I made another a year later for an Australian tool competition. This time it won a place (and Colen Clenton squares) ...

I've made many saws over the years ...

16" mitrebox saw (on a small MF) ...

Crosscut joinery saws: 9" and 14" ...

My favourite is this latest dovetail saw with a 0.15" thick (thin) plate and 16 tpi. It is now my favourite dovetail saw - a real light sabre ...

One last one .... the timeless beauty of Pete Galbert's travisher design ...

Regards from Perth

Derek

Re: Shop-made tools.....on the low end

Two manufacturers where you can buy one, commercially made: https://bridgecitytools.com/products/km-2v2-kerfmaker-pro https://usa.banggood.com/search/kerfmaker.html?from=nav

Thank you so much, Peter.....that's very helpful

Re: Some of my favourite shopmade tools.

beautiful workmanship......I wish you lived a few blocks away.....I'd be coming over a lot just to watch you work.....you might be glad that there's the largest ocean in the world and a continent that makes that impossible

another version

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amNsrd4EZbU&t=7s

Re: another version

How neat and simple is that!!......thanks, John

Re: Some of my favourite shopmade tools.

Roger, you are welcome over anytime. Just knock on the garage/shop door if it is closed due to the weather

Regards from Perth

Derek

Re: Shop-made tools.....on the low end | Videos

I'll add my thanks, too. That video confirms my suspicions that the HongDui kerf maker works as well as the original Bridge City KM-1, at about half the price ($24 vs. $49). Since Bridge City is now Chinese owned, some may feel less disinclined to accept the lower priced product. Note however that John Economaki is still employed as a tool designer by Harvey Industries. Another observation: If you are planning to be doing a lot of large scale joinery, then the much larger and more robust KM-2 by Bridge City may be a better choice. When used with the even more robust fence of my SawStop, I lose a lot of the feel for adjustment of the small KM-1, and I am concerned I may knock it out of calibration if I slam the fence too hard against it. As far as I know, no one builds and offers a knock-off of the $99 KM-2. I own and use both the KM-1 and KM-2, but have not even handled the HongDui gauge in person. If you are planning to build a kerf gauge from wood, note that implementing the more sophisticated design of the commercial versions may not be a good idea, as the tab on base (silver colored) part is easy to break off.

Here's another travisher concept...

One of my woodworking buddies whom I've known for 50 years makes reproduction chairs along with a lot of other things (boats, steam engines, historically accurate millwork, flintlock rifles, etc.). With a typical winged travisher, he couldn't get the best angle on a certain chair seat so he devised this pull travisher. It is solid ebony with solid brass fittings. I saw him a few months ago and he's still using it, and swears by it. It really does the job and the feel is very smooth and positive. The adjustable throat is a nice feature.

Re: Shop-made tools.....on the low end

Good topic, Roger! Great work on the tools, one day I'll have to make one of the kerf makers.

Here is a simple single purpose layout gauge. It is designed to allow marking a line 1" from the edge of a piece of stock. 

Much easier than trying to fiddle around with a ruler or square as the edges are sometimes rough and won't easily let things slide. 

One day I may make a larger one with an adjustable hook if I can make the adjustment mechanism small enough.

Re: Shop-made tools.....on the low end

good idea Leo.....there's a lot of round stuff in the background......what are you making there?

Re: Shop-made tools.....on the low end

I was able to find a good supply of 4 gallon buckets for my hydroponic garden next year. Only problem was, they didn't have lids. I've been laminating the copious amounts of scrap wood shorts & skinnies I have jammed into every nook & cranny to make lids for them. A rabbet on the bottom edge locks them into the bucket. I made another dozen blanks last night, which puts me near 30 so far.

Is it still hoarding if you actually use it every decade or three? 

Re: Shop-made tools.....on the low end

Sounds like quite a project.....when you get your garden up and running, I'd like to see some pictures.....

A little teaser...

I have to post a garden update on the messages side soon. Probably Monday.

A second planting of Pak Choy & Michihili cabbage in 3 liter cans. The first planting was a bust as it was just too hot here this summer, high 80º's to low 100º's until today. We haven't had any measurable rain since about the first week of June. We usually get 3-4 rain days in between then & now.