Essential Bench Jigs for DIY Shooting Boards
A simple shooting board for squaring end cuts and shooting miters is made and used with a DIY bench jig.
A shooting board is an essential tool for woodworkers, allowing them to make precise cuts and square up the ends of parts. In this article, we will explore a simple DIY shooting board and its accompanying bench jig.
The shooting board is designed to square up the ends of parts perfectly. Unlike previous versions, this one features an adjustable fence that can be set square as needed. The heart of the jig is the plywood base, which consists of two layers glued together to create a bed for the plane. The subbase is dadoed to receive a cleat that registers against the edge of the bench.
The top layer has a groove along the top edge to guide a speed square that is used while shooting miters. The hardwood fence pivots on a steel pin and has a knob on the opposite end to lock in the setting. The fence holes need to be drilled so that the fence is roughly square to begin with. To do this, pre-drill the fence and clamp it in place as square as possible with its end just overhanging the step in the base.
### Assembly and Use of the Shooting Board
The assembly of the shooting board involves drilling for the fence. To make this easier, pre-drill the fence, clamp it square to the jig with its end extending slightly from the edge of the jig, and use it as a guide for drilling. The pin is then tapped into the small hole and an insert is threaded into the larger hole.
To set up for shooting, loosen the adjustment knob and square the fence to the edge of the jig with a combination square. The first few passes with the plane will flush the fence to the edge of the jig, creating a zero-clearance back stop for planing parts.
### Tips for Using the Shooting Board
When using the shooting board, it is essential to push down against the base, not into the fence. This ensures that the reference face for the plane is its side, maintaining a square cut and avoiding paring into the fence. Additionally, the workpiece should be kept flush to the edge to avoid overhanging and resulting in an angled cut and tearout along the back edge.
### Adapting a Speed Square for Accurate Mitered Ends
A speed square can be adapted to shoot mitered ends of parts. A plastic square with a hardwood fence is used, with the base of the square sliding in a groove in the base and registering against the fence. This allows for accurate miters to be made, making the shooting board an essential tool for woodworkers.
The shooting board is a simple yet effective tool for woodworkers, allowing them to make precise cuts and square up the ends of parts. With its adjustable fence and accompanying bench jig, it is an essential addition to any woodworking setup.
