I got carried away with this shooting board

[jmk89]

A few months ago, I asked for thoughts from forumites on shooting boards. As a result of that and other reading, I have made a board with the following features (most of which are inspired by (stolen from) others' boards - esp Derek's):

1. Ramped
2. Able to be used LH or RH
3. Adjustable fence for 90 degrees (offcut of T-track attached with wing nuts and T-track bolts to the end fence - uses shims made from plastic ice cream container lids - they don't seem to compress as much as playing cards!)
4. Adjustable angle fence (brass channel with one small slot and one long slot cut in it - thanks John for the channel) - this goes from 90 degrees to about 30 degrees and again is right or left sided, running in the two T-tracks inset into the shooting board surface. I was concerned that this might move in use (and so be next to useless!!) but the friction generated by the T-track bolts and the home made nuts seems to be enough. I just set the angle on a sliding bevel and then use that to set the fence.
5. Metal fences - these seem to work fine for me - just make sure when setting them up that you leave a smidge of a gap so you don't jag the plane blade on it - the smidge doesn't seem to lead to tearout.

I finished it yesterday and spent the evening trimming weird angled mitres - it works.

The thing is overengineered. But it does do everything I think I will ever need from a shooting board (now to make a microadjustable donkey ear shootin' board for tall mitres!! ).

Cheers

Jeremy

PS - I don't do my woodwork on a table cloth, it just makes the photos clearer!
PPS - the red smudge on the left did not result from use of the shooting board!

[Mirboo]

I like the ideas behind your design but I'd be a bit worried about some of that metal coming into contact with the sole/blade of my plane. If you don't want the back edge of whatever you are shooting to break out then the plane blade will need to basically "kiss" the adjustable fences you've incorporated into your design. Since these fences look to be made of aluminium T-track I'd be very worried about your blades. It probably won't be long before you scratch the sole of your plane(s) as well.

[Wongo]

That is one hell of a shooting board. Well done mate.

PS light blue is so your color honey.

[jmk89]

I like the ideas behind your design but I'd be a bit worried about some of that metal coming into contact with the sole/blade of my plane. If you don't want the back edge of whatever you are shooting to break out then the plane blade will need to basically "kiss" the adjustable fences you've incorporated into your design. Since these fences look to be made of aluminium T-track I'd be very worried about your blades. It probably won't be long before you scratch the sole of your plane(s) as well.

I agree that this is a risk. So far, it hasn't been a problem (so long as I leave the fence a smidge short of the edge). The risk does make me careful, especially to keep the sole vertical - if you tilt it in towards the fence then you will hit the blade or the sole or both.

Of course, I may get careless - if I do, then I will chop the fence back a bit and put a replaceable wood end cap on each end of the two fences.

[DJ’s Timber]

Looks great and very functional

[NewLou]

What a cracker!

Any chance of some pics of her in action???

REgards Lou

[jmk89]

Lou

I will post some pictures of it in action soon - I am back at the beach house for the next few days, so it may not be for a week.

Cheers

Jeremy

[derekcohen]

Jeremy

That is one terrific shooting board!

If you are concerned about planing into the metal fence, then add wooden blocks at either end. You could make these adjustable so that when a piece is planed off, then you just extend it a little.

Regards from Perth

Derek

[Tex B]

Very nice Jeremy. Looks like a top bit of kit.

Tex