More shooting board photos.

Precision Shooting

Precision Shooting

For the benefit of my curious niece, Gina, who has asked “what’s a shooting board?” here is a definition and some pictures. From Webster: “(Joinery), a fixture used in planing or shooting the edge of a board, by means of which the plane is guided and the board held true.”

So, why the word “shoot” in reference to using a plane against the edge or end of a workpiece? Perhaps its origin is the word “chute,” an early device, like this one. Tom Fidgen has contributed this insight from a friend of his in the U.K and some in Australia who like the ramped board:

“They seem to like the ramp for not only the reduced wear on the iron but they seem to especially like the mechanics of the ‘chute action’..instead of the horizontal push and pull it’s the down hill or falling motion..a’ chute’ like a slide or water fall- the ramp really starts making sense when we think of it with those other images.”

In woodworking parlance edges and ends are “shot,” and unlike mammals and animals who never make it any farther after being shot, wood pieces are now good to go!

Another question that has been posed is why the appliance that holds the work at 45 degrees to its thickness is called a “Donkey’s Ear.” Any thoughts?

When my dedicated “Super Chute”web page is up there will be good quality photos.

Miter joints shot straight and true

Miter joints shot straight and true

6 comments to More shooting board photos.

  • JC

    This is really an awesome design and beautiful tool. Great work.

  • Dennis Bond

    I am interested in buying one of your shooting boards and the Donkey’s ear. How do I go about that?

  • tico

    Hi Dennis,

    Right now I’m beginning production on my first batch of Super Chutes, while also getting the web page about it underway.There will be a Paypal option. I’ll gladly include you on my list of initial customers! As a realistic shipping date appears I’ll send you an email.

    Thanks,

    Tico

  • gina

    Ah-haaa! I understand. 🙂

  • Tico,

    Thanks for your comments on Woodnet. It would have been better however if you had passed it by my first so that you could get your facts straight about who does what in my company.

    As a toolmaker, I generally avoid the forums. Otherwise I might spend all of my time correcting peoples perceptions. They are frequently far from the truth.

  • tico

    Hi Kevin,

    I apologize about making an error in my comments. When I spoke to Heather she indicated that one of the things she did was make handles and talked with me about the woodworking technique involved. She certainly didn’t claim to make any particular amount or percentage of the handles, so, if people inferred from me that she was your handle maker, my bad.

    I did try to correct the notion among some of the contributors that your name is Glen!

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