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
Leave a Reply