Beginners first project – dumb question.
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- This topic has 5 replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 5 years, 6 months ago by RM Hawkins.
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14 September 2018 at 11:41 am #551481
Hi All,
Total newby here with a really basic question that I am sure that everyone of you knows the answer.
When you place a mark on a board to indicate the point at which the board is to be cut, do you saw right on the line or cut the board a mm or 2 mms longer than what is required? If you cut the board with a mm or 2mm extra, you can the just plane off the extra wood or use it to make the end of the board straight.
For the first time, I am trying to be really accurate with my cuts which hopefully \with result in a much better quality project. Here’s hoping anyway!!
Thanks for your help
Robyn- This topic was modified 5 years, 6 months ago by RM Hawkins.
Hello and welcome Robyn.
With practise comes accuracy.
So in my opinion it’s a good idea to mark a line on a piece of scrap wood, define one side of the line as “waste part” and saw on the waste side along the line and try to saw as straight and as near as you can to that line without crossing it. That will give you your personal benchmark, how much space you usually need at your current experience level to be safe.Edit means: that’s not a dumb question, on the contrary. 🙂
Hope that helps,
E.
PS: The other day I had a crosscut saw which I never had in use before and that saw didn’t cut straight. Fortunately I perceived it in an early stage and switched to an other saw. If you’ve got only one saw with such a behaviour and you’re not in a situation, where you can correct that, you can still use the saw – with more distance between the cut and the line, flip the piece of wood often to saw from both sides in small “steps” and a lot more plane work.
- This reply was modified 5 years, 6 months ago by Ecky H.
I make a knifewall and saw right on the line, with all crosscut cuts, ripcut is a different matter, I draw in the line and always leave some wood on then plane down to the line slowly and carefully, it’s very easy to plane off too much especially when you aren’t used to it.
15 September 2018 at 4:13 am #551517I do the same. Crosscut with a knife wall (which still might need to be shot afterwords or planed in the vice if you don’t have a shooting board). The material left is just a few hairs thick. Paul does this in all his videos.
When ripping I leave the line. My kerf is in the waste. Then I plane to the needed width.
However, if I’m not sure exactly what dimensions I need and I’m rough cutting to approximate dimensions, then I always cut a little fat and a little long.
Good questions.
27 September 2018 at 1:08 pm #552335Robyn,
When I first started this a year ago, I was confused about this too. On top of that I’m left handed – so everything was backwards. I’d mark one cut (always with pencil) and cut to one side, the next time I’d mark a board and cut to the other side of the line by accident. It frustrated me so much. Do I cut on the line or to one side or the other? Of course, if your pencil lead is dull, that decreases the precision of the mark also.When I first saw a youtube video where someone used a marking knife, it made sense to me. You mark with the knife and cut directly on that line. Then I started watching videos where people used hand tools and they spoke of precision – making sure you have a face and 90 degree edge – and marking them accordingly. This made more sense. Now I have a single point of reference – no more mistakes on which side I mark first. Paul’s videos clarified this all the more for me. I still like to put an “X” on the waste side – or the side I’m cutting away. For ultra precise cuts (dovetails) I will almost reach under my square with my marking knife when making my knife wall marks. I’d rather pare some wood away than have a gap.
I’m making something for a friend right now that I just wanted to “knock out” quickly. I’m using mostly power tools – but even in this, when it comes to measuring and marking – I still use Paul’s techniques. Last night I stood back and smiled at how tight the joints were with this project. A year ago I would be filling gaps with wood filler and glue. I was so proud of my first project when I finished it. Today when I look at it I think about how differently I would do it. I’m still proud of it – but I would still do it differently now.
Don’t lose heart. Everybody has to start somewhere. You’ll get there. Be proud of what you’ve done, where you are today.
28 September 2018 at 5:13 am #552361Thanks very much guys for your advice and support. I really appreciate you taking the time to help me.
I am now nursing the “X” on the waste side to help with measuring and cutting.
Thanks
Robyn -
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