Replies

1. 
   mwenz | Sep 18, 2006 07:28pm | #1

   Certainly is a beauty, Derek!

   The reversable fence is a good idea--just don't try to cut too deep with a wide blade. Ask me how I know this and ...

   Now as far as that brass knob goes, I think I know what it's to <g>...

   Take care, Mike

2. 
   TaunTonMacoute | Sep 18, 2006 08:09pm | #2

   The reversible fence is a helluva an idea.  I *had* on old Marples gauge with a fence for curved edges but it was apparently lost in a move.  I could use another one.

   Are you going to make these for sale?

1. 
   derekcohen | Sep 19, 2006 06:26am | #3

   Are you going to make these for sale?

   Definitely not! I am living proof that anyone can turn out a one-off if they persevere. I will leave it to the pros to make more than one.

   Regards from Perth

   Derek

3. 
   9619 | Sep 19, 2006 11:13pm | #4

   Derek,
   A beautiful piece of design and execution! Design is a very difficult thing to teach and to learn. After seeing your cutting gauge, there is no doubt in my mind that a cutting gauge would be an excellent task for a woodworking design class. I love the old saying:

   To Err is Human.
   To Anticipate is Design.

   I have a few questions about the screw that holds the knife in place. Is that a "set screw"? in other words, is it a threaded cylinder without a conical head? Also, is the other end of the screw flattened out a bit for pressing onto the knife? Did you tap the wood for the screw, or just screw it in? I am sure these are "naive" questions, but what the heck. I'll learn faster if I ask. Also, where is a handy place to look for a piece of metal that can be ground into a knife the size of the one you made?

   Thanks,
   Mel

   Measure your output in smiles per board foot. 

   E

1. 
   derekcohen | Sep 20, 2006 08:47am | #5

   Hi Mel

   Thanks for the kind words but I must emphasize that the design is Woodjoy's, not mine. I only adapted it here-and-there for my own needs.

    I have a few questions about the screw that holds the knife in place. Is that a "set screw"? in other words, is it a threaded cylinder without a conical head? Also, is the other end of the screw flattened out a bit for pressing onto the knife? Did you tap the wood for the screw, or just screw it in?

   The knife is secured by a brass machine screw from the front end of the arm. You can just see this in one of the pictures below. The other end of the screw is filed flat. Further, the knife is also held within a mortice so that there can be no sideways movement. Incidemntally, since the picture was taken I have lowered the angle of the V so that there is a greater slicing action from the blade. The higher angle tends to tear a little.

   I shaped the brass end, cut and fitted it to the arm flush to the end of the mortice, then removed this to cut the mortice for the knife. After a dry fit I epoxied the brass end, pinned it with brass rod (1/3 of the way in from each side - not all the way through), and drilled and tapped the thread for the knife-holding screw.

   View Image

   The other feature is the tenon that keeps the fence square to the sliding arm. This can just be seen at the rear of the knob.

   Regards from Perth

   Derek

    

1. 
   9619 | Sep 20, 2006 01:54pm | #6

   Derek,
   That makes it clear. Brass machine screw, with the brass end-cap threaded. Got it.As far as taking credit for the design -- what the heck. You are still perfecting the design by changing the cutting angle of the blade. So you can take some of the credit. I remember visiting Taliesin, Frank Lloyd Wright's school/headquarters and listening to a talk on the way he worked. He never stopped tinkering with his creations. The design process never stopped. Wow. Billable hours must have been a problem. At least he had a lot of fun.
   Thank you very much.
   Mel
   Measure your output in smiles per board foot. 

4. 
   Handrubbed | Sep 21, 2006 06:11am | #7

   Derek, that's a real beauty.  Elegant design and execution.

   The only problem I see is your MkII honing jig doesn't hold plane irons like it used to!

   
   

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   Edited 9/21/2006 2:56 pm ET by Handrubbed