I’m new to this forum,and would like some information on some plans I have seen. These plans are for jigs, drill press tables, etc.
My question is, they all call out for use of hardwood for certain parts of the item. It does not specify what hardwood to use. Maple, Oak, Poplar, etc… Does it make a differences on what to use?
Would appreciate any information on this.
Thanks Lou
Replies
Lou -
Well, popular is fairy cheap and tight grain. But, any ol' thing laying around, I say. I make most of mine out of Mahogany, cause I have lots of mahogany scraps around here. If I had lots of white oak laying around I'd probably reach for it first. For some jigs, you might need to consider a low expansion coefficient. But, if the wood is thoroughly dry, then a good soaking in tung oil (after the jig is made) would keep expansion/contraction to a minimum. Usually not a problem with small pieces (less than 6" across grain unless you want real close tolerances).
Around here, no question is to trivial. I know, cause I ask lots of them!
Mike
PlaneWood by Mike_in_Katy
PlaneWood
Thanks Mike,
I appreciate your come back
Lou
My tendency is to make up the first version out of anything that's lying around - pine, plywood, whatever. If I use the jig repeatedly, I'll make Mark II out of better scraps and take more care over it - most likely Mark I showed which parts/dimensions are critical and which are "don't care".
Graeme
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