The mitre is one of woodworking's simplest joints. Being perfectly symmetrical it looks easy to produce, but it’s a joint that is hard to get right and make strong without using unsightly nails or brackets as reinforcement. There are many treatments that can be applied to the humble mitre to increase its strength but not many come close to the elegance of using veneer keys.
Phil Edwards has put together this short video to demonstrate how to adjust and fine tune blades in hand made planes. This is the first in a series of video's from Phil, so watch this space for the next installment.
I made my try plane from bubinga (also called African rosewood), although any durable hardwood will fi t the bill. I could only source 50mm thick planks, so I had to laminate stock together to get thick enough material. You will need a piece 600 x 75 x 62mm for the centre block, as well as two cheeks measuring 600 x 75 x 8mm. Rip the timber down to size on the bandsaw, then glue up the pieces to form the centre block.
I first became aware of pocket-hole techniques after watching Norm Abram use a very expensive system to cut them. Norm’s system was clearly way out of my league, a huge piece of standing machinery with integrated router, drill and clamp, it was way more suited to a production environment than my humble shed but the technique looked very simple.
The Leigh Super Jig turns out perfectly consistent joints every time, with the added bonus of differing pin and tail patterns, and a very easy set-up procedure once you understand the principle. And this is where the Leigh has the upper hand on its main rival the Woodrat, as well as most other dovetailing jigs on the market.
The new Leigh Super Jig is one of three different sizes available, with 12, 18 and 24in capacities allowing you to buy…
If your workshop is anything like mine, the addition of this surface thicknessing jig will be a welcome one. It does exactly what it says on the tin, insofar as it allows you to surface a wide board using a thicknesser. The problem I encountered in my basement sized workshop was that I had enough room for a small six inch surface planer (on wheels) and a ‘portable’ thicknesser (also on a wheeled cabinet). The thicknesser can plane timber…
