Thanks Thanks:  0
Likes Likes:  0
Needs Pictures Needs Pictures:  0
Picture(s) thanks Picture(s) thanks:  0
Results 1 to 8 of 8

Thread: The Grid Jig

  1. 4th March 2007, 11:45 AM #1
    damienhazo's Avatar
    damienhazo
    damienhazo is offline A QLD boy living in GER
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    Germany
    Posts
    526

    Default The Grid Jig

    Ever since I extended the kitchen on my old man's sailing yacht, I've been interested in wooden grids. I tried making them back then and soon learned that accuracy is key. I've tried a few things since and had a system that was working but it still wasn't up to scratch. I gave it some thought and came up with this:

    Damo's GRID JIG: (c) copyright / patents pending
    This is a 600 x 500 x 10 mm stainless steel plate that I had cut with an abrasive water cutter. I knocked up the specs in Corel and 3 days later the postie delivered it.
    Attachment 41228

    The channels are exactly 22 mm wide and 10 mm apart. When using a 22 mm bush and a 12 mm straight flute bit, you get a grid with 20 mm holes. The equation is:
    centre of channel = 22/2 = 11
    outside edge of cut with a 12 mm bit = 12/2 = 6
    11 - 6 = 5
    + steel 10 + 5 (next cut) = 20 mm
    You can of course change bushes and flute bits to obtain varying sizes and strengths. The slots also allow for variation.


    Depth = thickness of board/2 + thickness of template
    Attachment 41229

    Centre punch ensures holes are accurate
    Attachment 41230

    Away we go!
    Attachment 41231

    An example of evenly-spaced channels
    Attachment 41232

    Thread continues due to image constrictions.../
    Is it wrong to be in love with a sawbench?
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  2. 4th March 2007 11:45 AM # ADS
    Google Adsense Advertisement
    Join Date
    Always
    Location
    Advertising world
    Posts
    Many





     
  3. 4th March 2007, 11:47 AM #2
    damienhazo's Avatar
    damienhazo
    damienhazo is offline A QLD boy living in GER
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    Germany
    Posts
    526

    Default Continued...

    Moving the template is no problem. 2 existing holes and a new one on the end.
    Attachment 41233

    Some variations for display purposes.
    Attachment 41234

    The different channel sizes separated ready for sawing
    Attachment 41235

    Sawing. Thickness = width of channel
    Attachment 41236

    Some examples...
    Attachment 41237

    The grid can be as big as you like. Additionally, turning the jig 45° enables diamond shaped grids.
    The jig wasn't cheap. I think all up I paid around AUD500 with material, cutting and shipping. I intend to get a lifetime of use out of it so it was well worth it in my book. It doesn't have to be as big as the one I made so duplicating it would be cheaper. Would not recommend going under 600 mm in length though.

    Damien
    PS. Any darksiders who write that this is like dovetailing and should be done by hand should get a life. And an electric router - they're great mate!
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  4. 4th March 2007, 01:55 PM #3
    Bob Willson's Avatar
    Bob Willson
    Bob Willson is offline GOLD MEMBER
    Join Date
    Feb 2004
    Location
    Oxley, Brisbane
    Age
    79
    Posts
    3,041

    Default

    That is a great jig Damien.
    I imagine that it would also be a relatively easy matter to make a similar one from square stock and weld it together then grind it all flat again.

    Even making it in chipboard is an option; though of course, it would then not have the strength and it would not retain the exactness of yours
    Bob Willson
    The term 'grammar nazi' was invented to make people, who don't know their grammar, feel OK about being uneducated.
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  5. 5th March 2007, 12:44 AM #4
    damienhazo's Avatar
    damienhazo
    damienhazo is offline A QLD boy living in GER
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    Germany
    Posts
    526

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Bob Willson View Post
    I imagine that it would also be a relatively easy matter to make a similar one from square stock and weld it together then grind it all flat again.
    Thanks Bob. I considered welding one up but decided against it for 2 reasons:
    1) Accuracy. The water cutting is 3/100mm accurate.
    2) Heat warp. Abrasive water cutting is cold and doesn't warp the metal.

    I'd be interested to hear from anyone who knocks one up another way...

    Damien
    Is it wrong to be in love with a sawbench?
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  6. 5th March 2007, 10:47 AM #5
    Chris Parks
    Chris Parks is offline GOLD MEMBER
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    Helensburgh
    Posts
    7,696

    Question

    It could be done on a CNC controlled punch press but they are not exactly thick on the ground. The accuracy would be the same or very close to it, though the thickness is restricted.
    CHRIS
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  7. 5th March 2007, 11:02 AM #6
    Bob Willson's Avatar
    Bob Willson
    Bob Willson is offline GOLD MEMBER
    Join Date
    Feb 2004
    Location
    Oxley, Brisbane
    Age
    79
    Posts
    3,041

    Default

    If you were going to CNC, then why would you go to a punch instead of a CNC router?
    Bob Willson
    The term 'grammar nazi' was invented to make people, who don't know their grammar, feel OK about being uneducated.
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  8. 5th March 2007, 12:24 PM #7
    Chris Parks
    Chris Parks is offline GOLD MEMBER
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    Helensburgh
    Posts
    7,696

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Bob Willson View Post
    If you were going to CNC, then why would you go to a punch instead of a CNC router?
    To do the job in metal. You could do it with a CNC router with no template but not everyone has one of those either. Damo you need a CNC router.
    CHRIS
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  9. 5th March 2007, 12:31 PM #8
    Bob38S
    Bob38S is offline GOLD MEMBER
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    Queensland
    Posts
    2,947

    Default

    Great looking jig - as usual Damien.

    Seeing you like this sort of construction - have you discovered the company called "Trip Trap" - I think they are from Denmark - they make all sorts of [expensive] stuff using the grid idea. I managesd to get a cheaper version of a laundry basket using the same idea.
    Regards,
    Bob
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Similar Threads

  1. Another micro-adjustable box-joint jig
    By Rocker in forum HOMEMADE TOOLS AND JIGS ETC.
    Replies: 31
    Last Post: 29th April 2010, 10:31 PM
  2. Precision Morticing Jig (Lite)
    By Rocker in forum HOMEMADE TOOLS AND JIGS ETC.
    Replies: 9
    Last Post: 18th April 2007, 10:56 AM
  3. The Veritas Skew Jig
    By derekcohen in forum HAND TOOLS - UNPOWERED
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 28th April 2006, 10:01 PM
  4. Modifying the Veritas Honing Jig
    By derekcohen in forum SHARPENING
    Replies: 13
    Last Post: 18th September 2004, 12:09 PM
  5. Simple rpoter mortising jig.
    By Alastair in forum HOMEMADE TOOLS AND JIGS ETC.
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 4th July 2004, 06:34 PM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

Forum Rules