May 24, 2012

The Czeck Edge birdcage awl for pinpoint accuracy

A simple layout that requires boring is made accurately when using a bird cage awl. This is especially important when the layout is critical, such as properly aligning high-strength rare earth magnets. I use the Czeck Edge awl to ensure this pinpoint accuracy:

The bird cage awl: pinpoint accuracy in boring.

Although I did not show it in a recent article, I also used the bird cage awl to mark the location of the pivot point on the folding legs of a prayer kneeler (prie Dieu). These now are perfectly flush with the standing surface, as required to remove all stress on the pivot point during use:

Folding legs even with surface.

I invite you to visit the totally revamped Czeck Edge Hand Tool web site. In the interest of full disclosure, Czeck Edge is one of the sponsors on this blog.

Al Navas

No-fuss layout for folding legs

A thoughtful reader asked via e-mail how I go about accurately placing the pivot point for the folding legs on the kneeler I am currently building. For Tom, in Colorado:It starts with the divot created by the sharp tip of the compass used to draw the curves on the legs:

Outlining the rounded corners on the legs.

It is the little divot that makes it possible to drill the holes accurately. I stack both legs using double-sided tape, to drill the legs in tandem. Then I use the drilled holes to transfer the location to the legs on the upright structure while the folding legs are in their position against the back stretchers that also double as leg stops:

Transfering the layout to the upright assembly.

The hardest part that remains is easily accomplished by accurate placement of the legs at the drill press. The threaded inserts are ½-inch long; drilling about 0.050″ to 0.075″ deeper than this, the threaded inserts won’t be flush to the surface, and they will also be placed accurately:

Accurate placement!

A reminder: Always chamfer the hole – otherwise, nasty things can happen, as I documented in an earlier article (in this next photo, the chamfered hole on the left, not chamfered on the right):

The results of not chamfering a hole - horrible blowout!

Thanks for writing with your question, Tom!

Al Navas

A wonderful day cutting the joinery for the kneeler

Today I used a combination of power tools and hand tools to make the tongue & groove (T&G) joinery for the upright assembly. On the router table I cut the rest of the tongues, and partial grooves; I then finished the grooves with a mortising chisel, trimming the corners of the tongues and chiseling the mortises until everything fit well. Finally, the assembly stood on its own:

The first dry fit.

It is such a pleasure to work cherry with just about any tool – in this case, I used a roundover bit on the router table:

Cherry machines beautifully - look at the roundovers!

The stretchers on the back of the upright assembly are also made nicer by the roundover machined on the edges:

Roundovers on the back stretchers.

Next I will sand the upright, in preparation for glue-up. After one final dry fit to get some critical measurements for the folding legs, it will be glue-up time.

Al Navas

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