I decided to take advantage of some scrap I had to learn how to do some
basic joints. I decided to start with the mortise-and-tenon. I've got a
mortising gauge, I separated the pins to the width of my chisel and tried
to scribe the line on my stock but it just skipped all over and left two
jagged, uneven lines in my stock. I figured maybe you're supposed to sand
it down first to eliminate that, so I sanded the piece and it went a
LITTLE better but not much. What am I doing wrong? It seemed simple to
me. Place the gauge against the stock and pull/push the pins the length
of my mortise. But the pins follow the grain and push the gauge away
leaving uneven marks. Am I just not applying enough pressure to the gauge?
"Ben Siders" <[email protected]> wrote
: I decided to take advantage of some scrap I had to learn how to do some
: basic joints. I decided to start with the mortise-and-tenon. I've got a
: mortising gauge, I separated the pins to the width of my chisel and tried
: to scribe the line on my stock but it just skipped all over and left two
: jagged, uneven lines in my stock.
Ben might like to try my web site. Please look under 'Marking Out Notes' -
'How To Use A Marking Gauge'.
Apologies for the devious URL, but it keeps the spammers at bay.
Jeff G
--
Jeff Gorman, West Yorkshire, UK
Email address is username@ISP
username is amgron
ISP is clara.co.uk
Website www.username.clara.net
On 27 Aug 2003, Ben Siders spake unto rec.woodworking:
> I decided to take advantage of some scrap I had to learn how to do
> some basic joints. I decided to start with the mortise-and-tenon.
> I've got a mortising gauge, I separated the pins to the width of my
> chisel and tried to scribe the line on my stock but it just skipped
> all over and left two jagged, uneven lines in my stock. I figured
> maybe you're supposed to sand it down first to eliminate that, so I
> sanded the piece and it went a LITTLE better but not much. What am I
> doing wrong? It seemed simple to me. Place the gauge against the
> stock and pull/push the pins the length of my mortise. But the pins
> follow the grain and push the gauge away leaving uneven marks. Am I
> just not applying enough pressure to the gauge?
Coupla things - the pins on the gauge should be sharpened to a chisel
point, and positioned such that the beveled edge faces the gauge's fence.
This will pull the fence toward the wood when you drag the gauge. Also,
the arm of the gauge should rest on the board as you drag it. If you just
have the pins resting on your edge, they will want to dig in and follow the
grain. Having the arm that holds the pins resting on the board gives you
some control over how deep the pins scribe the board. A little practice on
some scrap will give the feel of it.
Scott
I generally have better luck pushing instead of pulling. Depending upon the
type of wood and grain, the direction you go, and the angle you hold the
gauge, can make all the difference in the world. Practice on scrap first
until you get the hang of that type of wood and the tool. Also, put the
stock in a vice and trying using both hands.
--
www.e-woodshop.net
Last update: 8/24/03
"Ben Siders" wrote in message
> I decided to take advantage of some scrap I had to learn how to do some
> basic joints. I decided to start with the mortise-and-tenon. I've got a
> mortising gauge, I separated the pins to the width of my chisel and tried
> to scribe the line on my stock but it just skipped all over and left two
> jagged, uneven lines in my stock. I figured maybe you're supposed to sand
> it down first to eliminate that, so I sanded the piece and it went a
> LITTLE better but not much. What am I doing wrong? It seemed simple to
> me. Place the gauge against the stock and pull/push the pins the length
> of my mortise. But the pins follow the grain and push the gauge away
> leaving uneven marks. Am I just not applying enough pressure to the
gauge?