I’m looking for a jig (some might call it a tool) very clearly shown in a photograph on page 29 of Jim Makowicki’s book, “Making Heirloom Toys” (Taunton Press, 1996). Jim calls it a “right-angle block,” and I thought it would be easy to locate with a Google search, but it is not.
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It’s a device used, for example, to secure a short length of 1/2” thick board on edge to a drill-press table for drilling a 1/4” diameter hole with the grain; it’s a device for drilling thin stock at precise right angles.
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I’d appreciate help in locating it.
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Replies
I built this simple fixture from baltic birch, pan head screws, and a destaco clamp. It's made to hold pen blanks (about 3/4"x3/4"x3") while they are bored from the end.
Chris @ www.flairwoodwork.spaces.live.com
(soon to be www.flairwoodworks.com)
- Success is not the key to happines. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. - Albert Schweitzer
Do these work pretty well for you? I don't need super precision, just a decent guide for a drill bit going in the end of a board, and this just might do. Is that plywood an inch thick?
Thanks for the tour of your shop. You need a thousand more square feet. It looks like you do good work!
Appreciate the help! Ross Whitney
Ross,This jig works very well for me. If I were to change on thing, I would make the base longer so that it extends to the end of the drill press table for ease of clamping. I used 5/8" ply for the whole construction. You could easily use thicker stock or laminate two thicknesses together if you like.You're right, my shop would benefit from another 1000 square feet. It's 425 square feet in the two sides. The biggest drawback is the wall down the middle, which makes for two narrow shops. One open room would be much preferable, but with this setup, the dust stays out of the house.Chris @ http://www.flairwoodwork.spaces.live.com(soon to be http://www.flairwoodworks.com)
- Success is not the key to happines. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. - Albert Schweitzer
I'll remember to do that: to make it extend to the table edges. Good suggestion.
What you are looking for is called an "Angle Plate" and they are used by machinists.
http://www.shars.com/product_categories/search/?min_amount=8&max_amount=595&sorting=ASC&limit=100&search=angle+plate
http://www.grizzly.com/products/searchresults.aspx?q=angle%20plate
"V block" is another that can be useful.
http://www.grizzly.com/products/searchresults.aspx?q=v%20blocks
http://www.cdcotools.com/
type v block in the search window for the above.
The Grizzly products look like just the ticket. Spendy little toys, aren't they. I wonder if these are pure extrusions or actually machined for accuracy. Many thanks for your help. Ross Whitney.
"I wonder if these are pure extrusions or actually machined for accuracy."Angle plates are cast iron, accurately machined on the end edges and the outside ninety degree faces. V blocks are precision ground on all faces and ends.The 1,2,3 (and other blocks of that type) mentioned by another are precision ground on all 6 faces.All of these tools far exceed the accuracy needed for woodwork with a small slotted angle plate being the one what was illustrated in the toy book. You should be able to find them locally or on the net for less than $25 or so. Could also make them of wood or MDF to do the same.
I think I may make a few of different sizes out of wood, for I don't need the killer precision. I appreciate the information.
123 blocks or slotted angles will work for you.Both are ground for accuracy.The 123 blocks usually have 5 tapped holes 3/8x16 and 18 plain holes for mounting or clamping.The blocks measure 1"x2"x3".Slotted angle plates come in many sizes from under 4" to 12"x9"x8". Enco, Grizzly, Mc master Carr all have them.I think the slotted angle plates may be what your looking for.
mike
Thank you very much.
rrw, I picked up one years ago for $20 plus $24 shipping on E-bay just like the $79.99 model in the first referenced above with tapped and thru holes all over it and it weighs a ton, dead true and priceless when you need it. Paddy202-4355
edit- Shars # 202-4355 but mine is various size holes and 6x9x1x1
Edited 1/14/2009 9:08 pm ET by PADDYDAHAT
Thank you very much.
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