The video “The Simple Trick 93% of Woodworkers Don’t Know About!” is by Biscuit Tree Woodworks. This insightful guide introduces a straightforward method for achieving perfect miters, especially for small projects like jewelry and keepsake boxes.
Woodworking can be challenging, particularly when it comes to achieving accurate joinery without gaps or tear-out. For beginners, using a table saw or a miter saw can yield decent results, but for flawless fitting joints, a shooting board becomes essential. This simple jig is specifically designed for creating precise 45° miters, and while it’s easy to construct, there are key details to ensure the most accurate outcomes.
To get started, Biscuit Tree Woodworks recommends using Baltic birch plywood for the base and platform of the shooting board, ensuring stability and flatness. If Baltic birch is not available, any less expensive material can be used, provided it’s flat. Once the base parts are cut, it’s crucial to verify that everything is square by measuring diagonally from corner to corner.
After confirming the square, the next step involves crafting a fence and a guide block from hardwood scraps. The guide block must be thick enough to function correctly, which can be achieved by using a single thick piece or gluing two thinner pieces together. Once ready, the platform is glued onto the base, ensuring it’s flush on three sides while leaving one side open for the guide block.
With the glue drying, the next critical step is setting up the table saw to take a precise 45° cut. This is vital for achieving the desired angles and requires careful calibration. Using a metal protractor can help ensure the cut is accurate. Once the guide block has been shaped, it serves as a crucial component for the jig.
Assembling the jig involves placing the guide block against the platform to form a V-shape and securing it with glue and screws. The fence is then installed, ensuring it is flush with the surface to avoid any discrepancies during use. A bench hook is added to the back of the jig to keep it stable while working.
Once everything is assembled and the glue has dried, applying paste wax to the guide and groove will allow the plane to slide smoothly. This jig is designed to hold the plane securely while trimming edges to achieve crisp miters.
For optimal results, it’s essential to ensure the plane blade is sharp, and to take fine cuts while using plenty of wax for smooth operation. If any adjustments are necessary, tape can be used as a shim to dial in the angle perfectly.