Thread: Accuracy - Any good general tips or hints or web sites

Hey Bill,

i too have been keen to make accurate cuts with the existing equipment i have, At this stage i dont have any of the really accurate gear on my table saw by the likes of Incra so i work with what i have and measure twice and cut once!

I started with a tape measure (which still has its uses but i have learn to use it in a different way but now i have a variety of steel rules to use on different size projects along with some marking knives and also marking gauges. It depends on what i am trying to build to whether i bother with a fine level of accuracy. I obviously try to be accurate all the time but if im making a storage bin for my off cuts i don't care if i use a pencil or not where as if i'm making a coffee table or something ill use a marking knife.

Unfortunately i haven't been able to hide my mistakes in woodworking like i have before with plastering walls so i try to measure 2 or even 3 times and take into account the kerf of the blade i am cutting with so its accurately cut to the length i need.

Jigs are a great way to make accurate repeated cuts but aside from my cross cutting sled jig on my table saw i haven't made too many for any other tools, i just take my time to measure rather than making a jig. Everyone has their own style and method of working so other people would disagree with this.

I have also invested in better quality basic set of tools such as my first square turned out not to be square at all once i purchased my combination square. Also my marking knife or marking gauge is a lot more accurate than my pencil when its sharp.

I havent been taught by anyone though so i am not 100% sure if i do things the "correct" way according to a carpenter or cabinet maker but it works for me and i have just read books that i have purchased from amazon or skillspublish as they sell relevant Australian books so far so good.

I'm currently locked out of my shed (long story, but basically it's full of furniture) so this is something I plan to do too.

Make a Bench Hook and/or Shooting Board. If you have a sharp handplane, you can cut timber as squarely as possible by handsaw or power tool and finish with your shooting board. Provided your shooting board is built/set up accurately and your handplane is sharp you will finish your stock very square and your parts should all fit nicely.

If you're interested in looking at making a shooting board or how they work look for posts by Derek Cohen. I am still to make one but will when my shed is available !

Setting Up and Using a Shooting Board

Accurate marking out with a marking knife. Making sure your square is square. Working from a datum.

Application of these principles will always produce a more accurate result.

Cheers
Bev

Ozziespur this is such a good little website.. good work

In The Woodshop

Sometimes, even with accurate machinery, you still have to fight for accuracy.

One thing is for sure! is that squareness and accuracy does not happen by accident. When marking out slow your brain down,do not rush this will allow you to focus and concentrate on the job at hand. Accurate lay-out tools make life easier.

Cheers,


Frank.

Practice and diligence all you need

The accuracy of my work increased with the following improvements.
1. Use a good quality marking knife. I use this one all the time. I use a Pfeil marking knife for every cut and every mark.


2. Get a good marking or cutting gauge to transfer measurements. I use Veritas dual marking gauge.


3. For really accurate measuring I use an Incra ruler.


4. Make sure the lighting over your work area is very good by installing an adjustable work light over your bench. You can move the light around to remove the inevitable shadow that comes whenever and wherever you want to mark a line. There is not much point in trying to measure accurately in a shadow. I use this one


5. For really critical measurements I use Vernier calipers.
6. Know when to stop work and go inside. Sometimes I get into a sort of cutting frenzy and forget to take regular breaks. A tired wood worker will not be accurate.

All great advice.

From me - Start from a reference side, mark that reference, and begin all measurements from there.
If you do use a pencil - keep it sharp, if you use a knife - after you have marked up, run a pencil in the mark to make it easier to see.

Practice. Try a couple of different methods to see what suits best.

If you use jigs, check before you commit - sometimes things move - especially if you haven't used that jig for a while.

At the end of the day, when the sun goes down, your markups may be as accurate as hell, but if you haven't set-up your gear properly or practiced with the hand tools enough - it won't matter.

Cheers

To better your chances of things working out right use the same measure all the time,not all tapes read the same.
If you use calipers to measure then transfer to your layout using a tape or rule use the same one for the whole of that job,then any error will be the same throughout.
Cutting square etc is a must so check your saws and tune to make correct.

Accuracy does not grow, but inaccuracy does and there in lies the problem.
The tips already given will help to overcome small inaccuracies and in many cases, major stuffups. One area that has not come into discussion is the importance of good eye sight. The human brain is remarkable in its ability to compensate, but when it comes to accuracy, a trip to the optomotrist can work wonders. Says he after two corneal grafts and lens implants. I can even find the shed now.

accuracy is inversely proportional to the level of denial that you need glasses