Tag: Bridge city tool works

The Kerfmaker is a handy tool that allows woodworkers to make accurate and consistent cuts along the length of their workpiece. It consists of a solid base with a series of pins or guides that can be adjusted to match the thickness of the saw blade. Once the guides are set in place, the tool can be used to mark out the precise location of the cut, ensuring that each piece of wood is the same length and fits together perfectly.

The original Kerfmaker was developed by Matthias Wandel, a highly skilled woodworker and inventor who has created a wide range of innovative tools and machines. In a blog post from 2009, Wandel explains how he came up with the idea for the Kerfmaker and details the steps involved in making one from scratch.

According to Wandel, the Kerfmaker was inspired by a similar device created by a fellow woodworker named Lynn Sabin. Sabin’s tool consisted of a wooden block with slots cut on either side to accommodate the saw blade. However, Wandel felt that this design was not as accurate as it could be, especially when it came to making cuts at angles other than 90 degrees.

To solve this problem, Wandel began experimenting with different materials and configurations, eventually settling on a system of adjustable guides made from steel rods and brass tubing. By placing these guides at precise intervals along the base of the Kerfmaker, Wandel was able to create a tool that could accommodate saw blades of various thicknesses and make accurate cuts at any angle.

In his blog post, Wandel provides a detailed set of instructions for building your own Kerfmaker using nothing more than a few scraps of wood and some basic hardware. He recommends starting with a sturdy base made from hardwood, then attaching a strip of metal ruler to one edge to serve as a reference point for marking out the cuts.

Next, Wandel suggests drilling a series of holes along the base, spaced out evenly to accommodate the guides. These guides can be made from steel rods or wooden dowels, with brass tubing used to create the sliding mechanism that allows them to be adjusted to the thickness of the blade.

Once the guides are in place, Wandel recommends attaching a perpendicular strip of wood to the base to act as a stop for the saw blade. This stop can be adjusted up or down to accommodate different blade thicknesses, ensuring that the cut will always be made in the same place relative to the guides.

Finally, Wandel suggests adding a few finishing touches to the Kerfmaker, such as sanding down the edges and applying a coat of varnish or oil to protect the wood. With the tool complete, woodworkers can use it to make accurate and consistent cuts along the length of their workpiece, ensuring that every piece fits together perfectly.

In conclusion, the Kerfmaker is a simple but highly useful tool that can make a big difference in the precision and quality of a woodworking project. While there are many commercial versions available on the market, it is also possible to make your own using nothing more than a few scraps of wood and some basic hardware. With some careful planning and attention to detail, any woodworker can create a Kerfmaker that will serve them well for years to come.

Posted by L0bstrosity on 2013-06-18 20:55:00

The kerfmaker is a simple yet effective tool used by woodworkers to create accurate dados, grooves, and slots in wooden projects. While there are commercially available kerfmakers, it is also possible to make one yourself using scraps and minimal hardware.

The first step in making a kerfmaker is to gather the necessary materials. This includes a thin piece of wood, such as a scrap of plywood or hardwood, a few screws, a small piece of metal, and a drill. The metal can be anything from a paperclip to a small l-bracket or piece of angle iron.

Once these materials are gathered, the first step is to cut the wooden strip to size. This can be done with a saw or a knife, and should result in a piece of wood that is roughly 1/4″ thick and 1″ wide. Next, the metal piece is screwed onto the wooden strip roughly in the center, leaving enough room on both sides to make adjustments.

The next step is to drill a small hole in the center of the wooden strip, just before the metal piece. This hole should be just large enough to allow a pencil or small dowel to fit through it. Once the hole is drilled, the kerfmaker is basically complete.

To use the kerfmaker, the woodworker simply places the tool on the table saw, with the metal piece resting against the fence. The blade is then raised to the desired height, and the wooden strip is locked in place using the fence. The woodworker can then slide the piece of wood being cut along the kerfmaker, using the pencil or dowel to keep the wood from drifting away from the blade.

By making precise adjustments to the position of the kerfmaker on the table saw, the woodworker can create perfect, accurate kerfs every time. This allows for tight-fitting joinery, clean dadoes, and precise grooves, without the need for expensive tools or specialized jigs.

Overall, the kerfmaker is an excellent tool for woodworkers of all skill levels, and is particularly useful for those working on small or intricate projects. With just a few scraps of wood and some basic hardware, anyone can make a kerfmaker and achieve precise, accurate cuts every time.

Posted by L0bstrosity on 2013-06-18 20:54:57

The Kerfmaker is a woodworking tool that helps to create uniform grooves or cuts in wood. The tool is designed to make this process easy and quick, while also ensuring accuracy and precision. While there are many different types of kerf makers and jigs on the market, some of the most popular and effective ones can be made from just a few scraps and small amounts of hardware costing less than fifty cents.

To create a Kerfmaker, you will need a few pieces of scrap wood, some metal screws or bolts, a few metal pins, and some glue or adhesive. The first step in creating this tool is to cut two pieces of scrap wood into rectangular shapes. These pieces will need to be exactly the same size and shape so that they can be joined together later.

Once you have your two pieces of wood, you will need to drill two small holes in each piece of wood. These holes should be in the center of the wood, and they should be around 1/4″ in diameter. Once the holes are drilled, you can insert small metal pins into them to act as guides for the saw blade or cutter.

Next, you will need to connect the two pieces of wood together. This can be done using either screws or bolts, although screws tend to be the easier option. The screws or bolts should be inserted through the holes that were drilled earlier, with the metal pins in between the two pieces of wood. Once the screws or bolts are tightened, the two pieces of wood should be securely connected to each other.

To finish the Kerfmaker, you will need to add a piece of scrap wood to the top of the two joined pieces. This additional piece of wood will act as a saw guide, ensuring that your cuts are straight and even. To attach this piece of wood, you can use either glue or adhesive. Once the glue has dried, your Kerfmaker is ready to use.

Using the Kerfmaker is fairly straightforward. Simply place the tool on top of the wood that you want to cut, and align the saw blade or cutter with the metal pins. Then, make your cut or groove, using the top piece of wood as a guide to ensure that your cut is straight and even.

One of the benefits of the Kerfmaker is that it is incredibly versatile. You can use it with a variety of saws, including circular saws, jigsaws, and hand saws. This makes it an ideal tool for both beginners and experienced woodworkers alike.

Overall, the Kerfmaker is a simple, effective, and affordable tool that is useful for anyone who works with wood. Whether you are a hobbyist or a professional, having a Kerfmaker in your toolbox can help to improve the accuracy and precision of your cuts, while also making the process faster and more efficient.

Posted by L0bstrosity on 2013-06-18 20:54:58

Kerfmaker is a tool that helps woodworkers create consistent and precise kerfs, or slots, in their woodworking projects. This tool can be made using a few scraps and 50 cents worth of hardware, making it an inexpensive but highly effective addition to any woodworker’s toolkit.

To make a kerfmaker, you will need a few pieces of scrap wood, a few screws and washers, and a piece of metal (such as an old saw blade) to act as a guide. The process of making the kerfmaker begins by cutting a groove in a long piece of scrap wood that will act as the base of the tool. Using a router or saw, create a groove that is perfectly straight and the exact width of the saw blade you intend to use.

Next, cut two smaller pieces of scrap wood to act as the guides for the saw blade. These pieces should be cut to a specific thickness and width in order to fit snugly in the groove on the base piece. Once the guide pieces have been cut, drill a small hole in each of them and attach a screw and washer at the bottom of the holes. These screws will allow you to adjust the height of the guides so that they are perfectly aligned with the saw blade.

The next step involves cutting a piece of metal (an old saw blade works well) to the exact width of the kerf that you intend to make. Attach this piece of metal to the tops of the guide pieces using screws and washers, making sure that it is perfectly aligned with the saw blade in the base groove.

Finally, attach a grip to the top of the kerfmaker base to make it easier to hold and use. This grip can be made from another piece of scrap wood or from any other material that you have on hand.

Once the kerfmaker is assembled, it can be used to create precise and consistent kerfs in any woodworking project. Simply insert the saw blade into the guides and use your grip to guide the tool along the piece of wood that you are working on. The saw blade will be guided by the metal guide attached to the kerfmaker, creating a perfectly straight and accurate kerf every time.

Overall, the kerfmaker is an easy and inexpensive tool to create, but it can be a highly valuable addition to any woodworker’s toolkit. By allowing for precise and consistent cuts, the kerfmaker can help to reduce waste and improve the overall quality of your woodworking projects. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced woodworker, this tool is definitely worth considering.

Posted by L0bstrosity on 2013-06-18 20:54:56