New to WW – basic question/work methods
First, a bit about myself. I’m just about two or three projects beyond a complete beginner. My last two projects were quite simple (trestle style plant stands for my wife, and a simple platform bed with step stool for my 3 year old). Both gave me practice flattenting, squaring, chopping mortises and cutting tenons, and both projects came out quite satisfactory. Oh, and I had to taper the legs for the bed out of a 4 x 4 piece of douglas fir that I had smoothed…I was actually quite proud of the way that came out. I live in Endicott, NY (about an hour south of Syracuse). I currently am working only with hand tools (the only power tools I use are a drill and a ROS), and have a moderately decent set of basic planes, chisels, and western and eastern style saws, and measuring and marking tools.
My question of the moment (believe me, i have LOTS of questions), is fairly simple I think, but probabaly doesn’t have a simple answer.
I’m currently working on a clock…I think it’s called a schoolhouse clock, with an octagonal face and a drop case for a pendulum. To put together the octagan, I have cut all the pieces ,which surprisingly fit together quite well.
The next step calls for the face pieces to be put together using splines, and it was cutting these that motivated my question. Not knowing any better, I cut the grooves for the splines pretty much like chopping a mortise (I didn’t want the spline to show on the end, and the plans didn’t really indicate whether they should or not – or at least I couldn’t read the plans well enough to determine).
So it comes out really like an inserted or loose tenon (sorry if the term is wrong).
After this I have to cut some 1/4 inch rabbets on these pieces as well as on the pieces that make up the clock case. Each individual piece requires a few different shaping and jointing steps. So, am I ever going to get to my question? You bet.
It’s not always obvious to me how to best accomplish a certain task. What tools to use, how to hold the piece while working, what sequence to perform when a piece requires multiple operations. Whether something can be accomplished in a single operation, or whether it requires multiple steps? So, my question is, how does one gain this type of knowledge? Is it purely from experience? Classes? There are plenty of books that deal with how to use saws, chisels, planes, but I haven’t found any that give you the kind of knowledge I”m looking for. Are there any?
How would you have cut 1/4″ by 2″ long grooves (like I said, the look like mortises to me, but maybe there is a difference between an inserted tenon and a spline?) in the end-grain of these pieces that will make the octagon? The chisel method worked ok, but took a while…thankfully the grooves will be hidden, as a few were not as clean as they could have been.
Anyway, thanks for reading this far. From lurking around here the last couple of months, it seems like woodworkers are a friendly bunch of people. And, as the father of two young girls, it’s encouraging to see at least a couple female voices here.
Happy Holidays,
Billy
Replies
I would have used a slot mortiser. Most hobbyists don't have on of those so my second choice would be thr router table with a 1/4 straight bit or a 1/4 slot cutter. The slot cutter would leave a rounded end on the groove but that would be an easy profile to make on the end of the splines.
Tom
Douglasville, GA
hello billyymc
I think you are going the right way ,most jobs can be done with hand tools (there was life before power tools it just was a bit boring).Iwould suggest that if you make a rod (full size drawing in section (plan, elevation etc))of your project ,(use old hardboard painted white )you will start to see any area that is going to be a problem.I was taught and now teach the folowing sequence. set out (from rod) mortice,tenon,groove,rebate,splays or moulds. I know you didn't have any of these in your clock, but give it time.
hope this helps
regards Teabag
sorry posted this to tom not billyymc,second rule always check!
Edited 12/22/2003 4:51:28 PM ET by tea bag
Tea Bag,
That is a real handy thing to know...the sequence. You might want to send it to Billy...that Tom does beautiful work and has nice weather too.
If I may ask a related question? When or how do you know when you should make a jig for the task at hand...or depend on hand skills only to pull it off? thanks
hello
As a well made jig can take some time to make, I tend only to make jigs for repetetive jobs .Most of my work is one off bespoke funiture or joinery . I do make jigs for hinge housings, adjustable shelf holes,dados etc. A setting out rod will give the accuracy of a jig .
merry christmas to all our readers .Teabag.
Edited 12/24/2003 12:24:52 PM ET by tea bag
Edited 12/24/2003 12:26:40 PM ET by tea bag
Hi Billy and WELCOME to the board. One nice way to learn is to attend Woodworking Shows. One is coming to 'your area', I believe in March. It will be in Saratoga, NY. Check the listings in various woodworking magazines for date / time / place. Attend as many seminars there as you can. Ask questions. Ask more questions. That's how we all learn. If there is a woodworking club anywhere 'near' you, join it. There are lots of us who use hand-tools for the major part of the work process. Add tools as you see a real need for them. Depending on what you are making, a table saw and a router may be on your wish list to Santa! Go to the library and borrow every woodworking book you can find. Read them and xerox what you think will be of immediate interest. Taunton Press has many good books. Start with a book on proper sharpening methods and one on finishing. These two areas give all woodworkers the most problems. Do not fall into the trap of 'sharpening is the reason we do woodworking.' Learn to sharpen but do not become a slave to the sharpening process. Make splinters, make mistakes, make sawdust, but make something. The major difference between a good worker and a master woodworker is that the master woodworker knows how to really hide his (or her) mistakes.
SawdustSteve Long Island, NY
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