Workshop · WS-002
Hand-plane end-grain shooting board
Guide a hand plane beside a square stop to trim short end grain.
Editorial construction draft. Original digital diagrams; no physical build or load certification. Read dimensions, fit and use limits before making changes. US customary dimensions control; metric values are references.
Before marking and cutting
- US inches; feet where appropriate. Metric values are rounded references. Written inch values control.
- 3/4 in means measured 0.750 in actual thickness wherever used. Recalculate mating lengths for other sheet thicknesses; do not substitute nominal stock blindly.
Use limits
- For the bounded stated manual task. Do not install it on a powered machine or use it to replace a guard.
- No load, measurement-certification or protective-equipment claim.
Materials and cuts
| Part | Qty | Size to cut | Material |
|---|---|---|---|
| A Reference board | 1 | 18 × 10 × 3/4 in 457.2 × 254 × 19.05 mm | Sanded birch plywood with sound, void-free receiving edges. Measured actual thickness 3/4 in. |
| B Raised work platform | 1 | 18 × 6 × 3/4 in 457.2 × 152.4 × 19.05 mm | Sanded birch plywood with sound, void-free receiving edges. Measured actual thickness 3/4 in. |
| C Work stop | 1 | 6 × 1 1/2 × 3/4 in 152.4 × 38.1 × 19.05 mm | Clear solid hard maple, straight grain along the listed length. Measured actual thickness 3/4 in. |
Hardware and consumables
- 8 × Compatible wood screws. Selected length, pilots and locations are stated in the instructions; test on actual scrap.
Tools
- Rule with fractional inches
- Pencil or appropriate material marker
- Reliable square
- Saw suited to the specified stock
- Clamps
- Abrasive and dust-removal brush
- Drill with the specified bit and depth stop where needed
- Driver matching selected fasteners
Assembly
- Choose a hand plane that can safely operate on its side. The right-hand version uses a 4 in wide lower runway at Y = 0–4 in and a raised platform behind it.
- Cut A to 18 in / 457.2 mm by 10 in / 254.0 mm from flat measured 3/4 in stock. Mark one face UP and mark front-left X0 Y0; remove only the splinters, not the reference edges.
- Draw the centerline and attachment footprints from the part positions below. Measure from the reference faces each time; do not add a chain of rounded conversions.
- Cut B 18 × 6 × 3/4 in and C 6 × 1 1/2 × 3/4 in. On C the 6 in length runs along Y; its 1 1/2 in width runs along X.
- Clamp B to A at X = 0–18, Y = 4–10 in. Mark its front edge as the reference along which the plane travels.
- Dry-fit and clamp the assembly on a stable surface. Check the intended article against the clearances before drilling or gluing; correct the layout on paper if it does not fit.
- Drill from under A into B at (X,Y) = (2,5),(9,5),(16,5),(2,9),(9,9),(16,9) in. Fit six #8 × 1 1/4 in screws after clearance holes and pilots; heads must be below the runway plane.
- Ease exposed corners and all edges that the operator will touch. Remove dust and any projecting point; countersink only to a flush head.
- Set C on B at X = 12–13 1/2 and Y = 4–10 in. Square its working face X = 12 in to the platform front reference. Clamp; drill two #8 × 1 1/4 in screws down into B at X = 12 3/4, Y = 5 and 9 in.
- Check the actual plane body clears the stop screws and that the cutting iron does not strike the hardware. Do not alter a powered plane for this jig.
- Hold a small sacrificial test block against the stop with its end projecting slightly toward the runway. Plane away from the support hand in shallow passes.
- Compare the cut end with a reliable square. Correct the stop position by refitting its pilots if required; mark the setting date only after the test.
Checks
- Runway clear width 4 in; platform thickness 3/4 in above A; stop working face square to the runway.
- A scrap end checks square after a light hand-plane trial and the moving plane never contacts hardware.
- Assembly is flat and free of splinters, exposed tips and loose parts.
- A second operator can repeat the intended light-duty operation without being coached.
Cleaning and maintenance
- Brush or wipe the unloaded assembly clean after use.
- Inspect attachment fit and fasteners before each new task.
- Replace a damaged contact surface; recheck the reference dimensions after repair.
Primary context
These sources inform the context and do not endorse the original construction design.