#With limited tools, how do I make something Flat and Square on all sides?

1 messages · Page 1 of 1 (latest)

paper mantle
#

I've got a table saw, drill, and random orbital sander. What's the best/easiest way for me to make a piece square and flat on all 6 sides? I've got ~$100 in budget. Would a hand planer be worth it for flatness?

merry shell
#

For $100, unless you have a machine shop handy to fix up an old hand plane... no.

paper mantle
#

thought so

#

I suppose I could probably work up some sort of straight edge jig for one side, then use the rip guide on the table saw for all the other sides

worn summit
#

how big is this piece?

paper mantle
#

~13.5" x 19.5"

merry shell
#

It's not ideal. Unless you have a nice table saw. Small ones have too much flex to accurately joint lumber.

paper mantle
#

I do not, it's a small work site one

worn summit
#

Ah yeah, then even the rip line you make may be a little wonky unfortunately

#

depends on how well tuned in the saw is, as well as the fence alignment method

#

The rack and pinion style is the better option for jobsite saws IMO

paper mantle
#

that's the little groove with the adjustable angle slider?

#

it came with one of those

worn summit
#

ill need a pic to understand what you mean

paper mantle
#

lol sorry

worn summit
#

no worries

paper mantle
worn summit
#

the two grooves on either side of the handle? or the groove that the whole thing slides in?

paper mantle
#

Well that groove and the black piece that slides in it, is that what you mean by rack and pinion?

worn summit
#

The groove that the whole thing slides in is called a miter slot. Ideally, they are exactly parallel with the fence (the thing you called a rip guide) and also parallel with the blade. Depending on the saw you have, that may or may not be achievable through some tedious measuring, swearing, and measuring again

#

The black thing that slides in the slot is called a miter gauge and it helps you make angled cuts. Unfortunately, the one that comes with your saw, and every other table saw for that matter, is not very good and should not be relied upon for perfect cuts

paper mantle
#

oh i see, rack and pinion fence is the one on a rail that takes it out further than the table

#

i think

worn summit
#

Rack and pinion is a style of construction that some jobsite saw manufacturers use to keep their fence in line with the blade, and generally does an ok job at not deflecting, or moving out of the way, when you push on it

#

I believe DeWalt were the first ones to do it on jobsite saws, but since then I've seen them on more and more saws, though I have no idea if one brands rack and pinion is better than another

paper mantle
#

got it.

worn summit
paper mantle
#

I think perfection is a bit of an unrealistic goal here, since I'm just kind of learning this as a hobby. maybe i should start with the miter gauge at 90 even though it won't be great. I can cut one side close, measure the angle off by 90 and adjust a bit

#

and if i'm close-ish to 90, that'll be good enough imo

merry shell
#

rack and pinion means the saw fence has a gear and track setup to move it back and forth. Keeps the front and back aligned

misty idol
#

powered hand planes are pieces of shit. dont make the same mistake people here made. DONT BUY IT

paper mantle
#

i was thinking non-powered hand plane

misty idol
#

they're about as precise as a jackhammer lol

#

i'd suggest design around boards being a specific thickness. it's gonna be tough with the tools you have

worn summit
worn summit
paper mantle
#

woof, no thanks

misty idol
#

a good crosscut sled build is a good project to be able to do crosscuts

#

the miter gauge that comes with just about every saw is a piece of shit

paper mantle
#

at that cost one of those thicknesser powered planer things would be in the same ballpark

misty idol
#

i think i spent like 150 on my sharpening. i did not buy good stones tho

worn summit
#

That's buying good stuff, new. I'm sure it can be done cheaper, but I know I like this hobby enough that eventually I'll be ok with making that purchase. I havent yet, but I will. As a beginner, might not be worth it

misty idol
#

i grabbed the veritas sharpening guide on sale so i got lucky imo

worn summit
misty idol
#

depends on where you live

#

none of the yards i go to even have rough cut shit

#

i think you have to like custom order for that

worn summit
#

and as knowles said, a crosscut sled is a great first project because it allows you to not have to rely on your crappy miter gauge or fussing with dialing it in

misty idol
#

but all the stuff on the rack is s3 or s4

worn summit
#

oh really? interesting. Every yard ive been to in south and central NJ assume RGH unless otherwise stated

misty idol
#

i still SLR the stuff i get tho. from the time it was jointed to the time i bought it, that board dried out a little more

worn summit
#

SLR?

misty idol
#

straight line rip

#

if you call it jointing, one of the old heads comes in and yells at you

worn summit
#

oh I always just say edge joint or face joint

misty idol
#

i do too. just not out loud haha

icy lintel
#

You can set up an old handplane for less then $100.
But it's certainly not ideal. -Finding one that's decent at a good price can be difficult,
-there's alot of technique involved to get all 6 sides flat and square (the reason why old furniture is based arround the concept of reference faces)
-the only way to get a sharpening/flattening system for less then a 100 including a plane, your looking at sandpaper. So you'll end up needed to replenish your system before long and will eventually end up spending more when you eventually spend more then your budget

misty idol
icy lintel
#

That too.