Here's part of a batch of dovetail guides having their magnets and pads fitted. The eagle eyed will have noticed that the guide I'm using in my recent You Tube videos is not wood any more, the last wooden batch I made was 145 guides which needed 290 cuts with an unguarded blade on my table saw. This was very boring and as a consequence potentially dangerous, I have all my fingers and would like to keep it that way!
The new guide is made from aluminium and has been created on a CNC machine. It has been hard anodised for durability. The magnet lies perfectly flush with the surface of the guide due to the accuracy of the machining.
Obviously the angles are absolutely spot on and the material doesn't move like wood, so it stays that way. The guide is heavier which helps a little with positioning and the legs are thinner which gets you nearer to the work. The down side of the extra weight is an extra £1 on the postage costs to the US, a small price to pay!
The other advantage, now someone else is doing the work, is that I can have them produced in any angle. Following the plentiful and varied feedback from you regarding angles I am pleased to say the guides will be shortly available in angles 4, 5,6, 7 and 8, I will let you know when they are in stock.
Interesting that you've gone to having them made in metal as I thought you weren't too keen on that idea.
ReplyDeleteAre they going to have the plastic over the magnet as the old ones?
I'm not keen on the Veritas version because the saw teeth have a tendency to rub against the metal leg. This is caused by the plastic being flush with the metal. So yes, as you've guessed, my new guides have the plastic over the magnet (same as before) to prevent the problem. The time it saves me on making a large batch is a god send and I'm looking forward to offering a range of angles. All the best, David.
DeleteLovely. What will the price be for the new model then?
DeleteAre you going to cnc your marking gauge as well?
Kind regards,
Patrick
Hi Patrick, The price will stay the same (for now!). I've had the hammers heads made by CNC but no plans for any other tools, it would rather compromise the hand made nature and appeal of my tools. All the best, David.
DeleteDavid, one day when your tools become collectors' items I will ebay your wooden one for a princely sum!
ReplyDeleteHi Tom,
DeleteYou might have to wait a while, people often have to die before their work becomes collectable and I hope that's a long way off yet!!
All the best, David.
Any chance you'll be taking any of these along to Yandles next week?
ReplyDeleteHi John, don't worry, I'll have a box full with me! All the best, David.
DeleteDavid, If you can get them done easily to any angle have you considered getting some 90 degree ones done, I would buy one off you
ReplyDeleteKind regards, Allan
Hi Alan, I have a 90 degree guide planned but it's still at the design stage. different designs are appropriate for different types of 90 degree cut, I'm trying to decide which is the most useful type of cut and then make the guide as universal as possible. Watch this space! All the best, David.
ReplyDeleteDavid,
ReplyDeleteI am interested in purchasing one of your guides. I am in the U.S. Do you ship internationally?
Pruette
Hi Pruette, No problem most of my tools go to the US. The guide costs £36 inc shipping and I have plenty in stock. Please make payment via Pay Pal to barron26@btinternet.com
DeleteAll the best, David.
Can I get a 10degree guide. I have a 10 degree bit and a 10 degree ground saw blade so would like to stick with that
ReplyDeleteHi Kurt, the 1:6 is 10 degrees so that should work fine. All the best, David.
DeleteI dont understand why you dont have a lamp in here. They have it here but it doesn't really create much value for the environment.
ReplyDelete