I'm diving deep into precision woodworking and I've got some high-quality tools like a granite surface plate and a DIN 875/1 machinist square. My feeler gauge measures down to 0.05mm, 0.04mm, and 0.03mm, but when I'm calibrating my try squares and shooting board, I can't seem to get rid of those subtleties that my fingertips can detect. I know I have factory-made MDF furniture that feels right against my reference tools, but I worry about the tolerances from my pencil markings and knife cuts. I'm considering making adjustments to my shooting board but am unsure about the best way to achieve that fine precision. Any suggestions for equipment or techniques to improve my measurements? Or should I just take a step back and relax?
3 Answers
It sounds like your issue might be more about technique and sharpness than actual tool precision. If the blade isn't perfectly sharp, you're going to get compression or breakout, especially on the corners. Also, keep in mind that wood movement due to humidity will far exceed the tolerances you're trying to achieve, so perfection on a shooting board is a bit of a myth.
You're worrying about tolerances that are literally the width of a hair. Seriously, take a break and enjoy that cup of coffee! Woodworking is about enjoying the craft, not stressing over the minute details.
Honestly, woodworking doesn't have to be flawless. Even if your tolerances are slightly off, it won't dramatically affect the final product. Unless you’re aiming for ultra-specific projects, adjustable shooting boards aren’t really necessary—90 and 45 degrees work just fine for most tasks.