Thread: Accuracy

I don't see how you can achieve any accuracy at all by marking with a felt pen. If accuracy doesn't matter, I use a pencil. If it does matter, I use a marking knife.

Yes that has always been the common belief and the one we all have used. If you ever have the chance to see the video it doesn't really matter due to the way he works. He roughly marks out one side and a front or back not too worried about the dimension then cuts the opposite pieces to match what he has already cut. So all in alll he doesn't need to be accurate, he could do it all without measuring at all. He then lays out the spacing for the corner keys on a story stick using a felt pen and spaces it by sight only, no tape measure is used to do this.

Well,if you already have a template, then yes, you don't need any mark at all. That's one of the methods I talk about in my video "zen and the art of cutting to length".

Speaking of accuracy, I'm gradually learning to trust my eye when it comes to placing non critical things like knobs, handles, hinges, etc. Put them in a pleasing location and go with it. Even when things have to be "in the middle" I can usually judge it to within a mm or so, which is good enough.

Zen,

Where can your video be had? I would love to see it as I am always looking for new ideas.

The thought behind Doug Stowe's DVD is not using measurements, but stop blocks and story sticks for accuracy. All other marking is just to give a proximity of size in the planning stages only.

Bob:

see here for the details of how to obtain videos made by forum members.

Thanks Zen..... I will pull that one when I get a chance.

Originally Posted by zenwood

Speaking of accuracy, I'm gradually learning to trust my eye when it comes to placing non critical things like knobs, handles, hinges, etc. Put them in a pleasing location and go with it. Even when things have to be "in the middle" I can usually judge it to within a mm or so, which is good enough.

Well if its only out a couple of mm it doesn't matter, whats a couple of mm in a big country like Australia.

Zen,

I had an opportunity to pull your video and want to say that I am very impressed. That was some fantastic accuracy and cutting. I knew I would learn something and was not let down

Thanks for taking the time to make the film. I think I am going to pull your others as bandwith permits and see what other goodies you have hidden in them.

Bob: no worries mate. Glad it was useful.

I'm thinking of making a WIP video of a keyed mitred box, next time I make one. That, and maybe of vid of my cyclone in action. With its Clear-Vu® cone, it's made for video!

All I need now is a digicam. These older ones were only made possible by Stuart's kind transcription work.