Replies

1. 
   gb93433 | Apr 26, 2008 09:55pm | #1

   A shooting board can be used in conjunction with a hand plane to trim the ends of pieces to produce nice clean joints.

2. 
   JeffHeath | Apr 27, 2008 12:37am | #2

   I use a shooting board and plane to create perfect mitered joints, as well as for squaring up ends on perpindicular cuts.  In addition, the plane leaves the end grain on perpindicular cuts ready for finish, with no additional work required.

   Jeff

1. 
   user-172496 | Apr 27, 2008 12:48am | #3

   Hello Jeff, I wonder if you could give me the dimensions of a shooting board, so I could build my own. Oh what kind of lumber should I use.

   Thanks ever so much

   Jack

1. 
   JeffHeath | Apr 27, 2008 04:03pm | #10

   Dimensions don't really matter much.  The angles that are set up are.  You need to make sure that, on a miter shooting board, the angle of the wedge block is set exactly at 45° so you're miters are tight.  Same thing at 90° for a straight shooter.

   Here's a pic of mine for reference.

   Jeff

   
1. 
   Glaucon | Apr 27, 2008 06:20pm | #12

   That's true enough Jeff- but even if your board is a bit off- or you have to cut a 46 degree angle instead of a 45 (for crown molding on a wall that isn't true or square- you can always easily make a micro adjustment with a small paper shim.Glaucon

   If you don't think too good, then don't think too much...

1. 
   JeffHeath | Apr 28, 2008 01:11am | #13

   Using a shooting board for hanging crown moulding isn't something you see every day.  In fact, in the 20 plus years that I've been in the trades (including a remodeling and trim carpenter stint for 10 years when I first got started "to make ends meet"), I've never seen a trim carpenter bring one to the job site.  For crown, and other larger mouldings wider than the capacity of the average shooting plane, jack plane, #9, etc....... you'd want to use a miter jack instead.  Having a well tuned 10" or 12" compound miter saw has always gotten the job done on house trim.

   Now, on furniture, or a decorative picture frame, that's a different animal.........

   Jeff

2. 
   Glaucon | Apr 28, 2008 12:28pm | #14

   Jeff,I would expect a finish carpenter to have a well tuned miter saw. I don't. Hence, when I have to fit molding to odd shaped walls (or cabinets), I use a shooting board. For large pieces of crown it is difficult, but doable.Glaucon

   If you don't think too good, then don't think too much...

3. 
   andyfew322 | Apr 27, 2008 01:57am | #4

   http://www.taunton.com/finewoodworking/SkillsAndTechniques/SkillsAndTechniquesPDF.aspx?id=2313

    

   there's no need to reinvent the wrench

4. 
   BruceS | Apr 27, 2008 03:06am | #5

   At this time in the Nations history. It could be a  back drop for many politicians ;-)   Sorry FBI, CIA That was a missquote!   I've been a little sleep deprived.

   Work Safe,  Count to 10 when your done for the day !!

   Bruce S. 

    

1. 
   7Joel | Apr 27, 2008 03:23am | #6

   http://www.whitemountdesign.com/ShootingBoard.htm
   http://www.inthewoodshop.com/ShopMadeTools/Setting%20Up%20and%20Using%20a%20Shooting%20Board4.htmlBoth of these will give you lots of info

5. 
   Glaucon | Apr 27, 2008 03:48am | #7

   Advantages of shooting:

   1. Simple to set up, reproducible.
   2. Accurate and precise, able to achieve more consistent and finer results (~1/512th inch) than with power tools.
   3. Great for preparing stock for DTs or M&T joinery.
   4. Fast consistent way to remove tool markings.
   5. Good for trimming stock to exact lengths (e.g. drawer sides, picture frames, table aprons, etc.
   6. Probably the best way to fit miters.
   7. Cheap.

   Glaucon

   If you don't think too good, then don't think too much...

6. 
   hammer1 | Apr 27, 2008 07:25am | #8

   A shooting board is needed when the method you use to cut isn't accurate and you have to re-work the miter or crosscut. If you are cutting with a handsaw, you may need some help to get the joint nice and accurate. If you are using a correctly set up machine, table saw, miter saw, you don't need a shooting board. Shooting boards are only as accurate as the person using them, setting them up, preparing the plane and managing the stock. Same as with almost everything. You need a separate or adjustable shooting board for each type of cut. They work best on simple flat stock and cuts.

   Beat it to fit / Paint it to match

1. 
   derekcohen | Apr 27, 2008 08:04am | #9

   A shooting board is needed when the method you use to cut isn't accurate and you have to re-work the miter or crosscut.

   This implies that the shooting board is a fix-it jig. That misrepresents the shooting board. They are precision jigs used as first line tools.  

   I will wager that you will get a better fit from a mitre joint off a shooting board than with any jig-free method. Some here will argue that all one needs to do is plane/chisel to a line. However some joinery requires compound angles and not many of us are good enough to do that quickly and efficiently.

   If you are using a correctly set up machine, table saw, miter saw, you don't need a shooting board.

   I will also wager that a correctly set up shooting board will offer more precision than a correctly set up tablesaw or powered mitre saw. Try adjusting either of the latter .001".

   Joel left a link above to an article I wrote about shooting boards.

   Regards from Perth

   Derek

1. 
   hammer1 | Apr 27, 2008 04:48pm | #11

   Heh, heh!! I figured I would ruffle a few feathers of the hand plane crowd with my remarks. I grew up using hand tools long before the days of powered miter saws. I still like to use them when I have time to play. If you can't see daylight between the square and the cut, that's close enough for me. If the work consistently comes off the saw to that standard, why do I need a shooting board? I don't. I still have the Jones for a fine Scottish miter plane but it would only be a toy for me. I'm in a competitive business, either get the job done as well and as fast as the next guy or you are out of business. Hopefully, I exceed in both.I'd wager I'd blow you out of the water if we had to do 250 mitered returns on moldings, cut, fit and installed. It would be fun watching you trying to hold the little pieces of shaped molding on a shooting board, though.
   Beat it to fit / Paint it to match

   
7. 
   KiddervilleAcres | Apr 28, 2008 06:27pm | #15

   Sparky,

   See The Woodworking Life blog here on FWW for Dereks' setup, description and use of a shooting board.

   Regards,

   Bob @ Kidderville Acres

   A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!