I am working on my first project and have a little issue. I cut the boards correctly, but I am just a bit off on my doors. I should probably have cut them a tiny bit smaller. They are about 1/8 an inch off and I don't know the best way to fix it. Should I sand them by hand? That seems to be taking forever! Is there a good way to cut off such a small amount? Any other suggestions? I have 3 pieces that are just a bit too big to fit snug. I am making a play kitchen for my son.
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Anonymous Coward (not verified)
Sat, 05/12/2012 - 17:52
Use a rasp
Sanding will take forever - use a wood rasp ( a file for wood) or "nibble" with a saw by cutting just the width of the blade off. You can do this with some table saws, but don't try it with a hand-held saw.
claydowling
Sun, 05/13/2012 - 05:59
Hand tools
I don't have confidence in my ability to make a clean edge with a rasp. I would use a plane and a shooting board, which gives you very fine control for shortening a board by a thousandth of an inch
Rob at Logan Cabinet Shoppe has a good video where he explains how they're made and how to use them, as well as some other simple tools that you can build for yourself that makes building furniture easier. http://logancabinetshoppe.com/blog/2009/11/episode-10/
You'll also need to pick up a plane. You can probably pick up a jack plane at Home Depot. Rob has some good videos on his site about sharpening. Lowes by my house sells a good basic set of sharpening tools that will get you started. You'll need to sharpen the blade on any plane sold at a home center, because the blade is only coarsely machine ground to the right angle.
LBlackburn
Sun, 05/13/2012 - 18:11
Thanks for the advice. I
Thanks for the advice. I actually went out and got a plane at Lowe's, but it didn't do a thing. Obviously should have sharpened it... I also found a really old nice one that my husband's grandfather had given him, but needs a lot of work before we can use it. I am trying to find someone to fix it up, but might have to do it myself since I am not having much luck finding someone. I will check out the videos for some tips and get some sharpening tools. I ended up cutting the two shorter ends with the circular saw and a guide that I picked up at Lowe's. It worked well, but was too short for the longer edge of the door. I used the Dremel sander bit which nicked it away pretty quickly and then used the sander to smooth and even it out some. Not the best job, but at this point I just want it done and it is for a 2 year old. Good learning project for me since it isn't a huge deal if it isn't perfect!!
claydowling
Sun, 05/13/2012 - 19:22
Store blades
The blades from the stores tends to be pretty dicey. You can probably fix the old plane up on your own. There are a lot of articles out there on tuning up old planes that will show you what to do.
This site is probably your golden source for sharpening info: http://www.hocktools.com/sharpen.htm
If you need a replacement blade for a plane (some of the old ones can be pretty rough), you might also want to buy it from him. I've bought two blades from him, and they're worth the money. Very good steel, and they ship sharp enough to shave with.