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" Which is
better, the "aaa jig" or the "bbb jig." I don't know how many times I
am asked the question. If only there were an easy answer. There isn't. It can be a matter
of price difference, "learning curve" difference, variability's of types of
corners and spacing. A lot to compare and even then, there is a matter of personal
preference. My preference is the jig that can let me do the very best dovetail without
wasting precious wood. So, in the coming weeks, Beth, Gail and I will be using a number of
jigs to make a library step stool.
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There are many jigs available. Here are the ones Beth and I
will try: the Kehoe Jig — uses dovetail keys, Leigh Jig, Akeda, Incra, Woodhaven,
LittleRat, Stots, Katie Jig, and we will even do one by hand using Frank Klaus' method.
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Our plan is to make one
piece ten times — one dovetail jig per. I brought out a book that is a favorite of
mine, and one that has a great library step stool as a project. I made three or four of
these when I first got the book — in the early nineties. At that time, I made hand
dovetails. The stools were made of cherry and looked great then — even nicer now.
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The book is very well
illustrated. I have Beth make up a list of what we need for the first step stool. This one
will be made of Birdseye maple because that is what I have. I probably will pick up some
cherry for the rest of them.
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Beth starts by planing
the two boards we will use for this step stool. The Birdseye maple is 2S2 and is flat. We
want to smooth it up and bring it to 3/4" exactly. Beth has set the planer and is
removing about 1/4 crank of the depth adjustment per pass. She could go considerably
faster, but I want her to take it slow because of the figure in the boards.
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Beth marks where each
of the cuts will be. One eight footer will give her the 4 pieces for the sides. The other
board will give her enough for the steps.
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She has purposely
added an inch to each piece so that the final cuts can be made at the table saw with the
cabinetmaker's blade. We want the ends to be as good as we can make them. A good
dovetailed corner starts with great ends.
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Each side is made up
of two vertical members. Beth has cut the pieces and is now trying to find the best
combinations.
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She marks the matching
boards. The boards are relatively straight for 2S2 lumber but needs some jointing to make
the seams strong and invisible.
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At the router table, she
installs a 1/2" by 2" trim bit.
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