Comments on: Better Than Measuring

By: Danny H.

Danny H. — Wed, 16 May 2012 04:53:18 +0000

I’m completely with you on this.The rule for me is to use the tape measures and rulers as little as possible, but when you do use them make sure you use the same ones all the way through completion of the same project since almost none of them measure the same.

By: aschaffter

aschaffter — Tue, 15 May 2012 22:52:44 +0000

I discovered the same thing with box joint jigs- either you use calipers for setup with all the inherent measuring errors Bob mentions or you attempt to set a dado blade to a a fixed pin width using using calipers and numerous test cuts. I eventually solved that problem by building a jig where both index pin settings are based on direct transfer of the actual blade kerf, regardless of its width. Setting is eas and almost automatically by turning a single knob- precision with no measuring.

By: HansV

HansV — Tue, 15 May 2012 22:09:00 +0000

Marking the cut line on the work pieces is fine just for reference, but unnecessary. To adjust the height of the saw blade, just set your sawing jig by the blade of the saw, set the flat end of blade on the jig, and then raise the saw blade until a tooth tip just lightly touches the flat of the try square head. It saves a step, and it’s “less work for mother”.

By: keithm

keithm — Tue, 15 May 2012 12:15:49 +0000

But, but, officer, I thought I was just going the same speed as everyone else.

I absolutely agree with this: “Consistency is more important than absolute accuracy.” I used to tell people this when cutting out picture frames to length.

By: rickb

rickb — Sat, 12 May 2012 05:48:25 +0000

I have many projects that I have never made a measurement on, and they went together fine.

By: gumpbelly

gumpbelly — Fri, 11 May 2012 13:27:10 +0000

Many still do use the easier to read methods you mention. However there are many who just have to have whatever the newest gizmo that WoodPeckers, P-tree, and the like bring out to market, even if they complicate the process. I believe they are unable to make accurate cuts with all of this paraphernalia, and thus keep buying the next one hoping it opens the door to ease, and accuracy.

Bob, thanks for another reminder of the meat and taters here, that dish never goes out of style.

By: Bill Lattanzio

Bill Lattanzio — Thu, 10 May 2012 20:29:33 +0000

I have to tell you that I very rarely measure anything after my first cut. I generally set up the cut and use a crosscut sled on the table saw with a stop block. And most of my joinery I cut by hand and use a marking gauge. The only real measuring I do is for rip cuts on the table saw. And I found that since I started working this way I’ve been much more accurate.

By: tms

tms — Thu, 10 May 2012 14:33:13 +0000

Hey Bob,

Thanks for the article. Time was when most everything was made using story sticks and dividers. Those skills and tools seem to have faded away, and it’s hard to understand why.