{"id":389,"date":"2009-05-04T18:14:02","date_gmt":"2009-05-04T23:14:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.rpwoodwork.com\/blog\/?p=389"},"modified":"2016-03-18T18:26:45","modified_gmt":"2016-03-18T22:26:45","slug":"a-method-for-edge-joining-thin-boards-part-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rpwoodwork.com\/blog\/2009\/05\/04\/a-method-for-edge-joining-thin-boards-part-1\/","title":{"rendered":"A Method for edge joining thin boards – part 1"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Edge joining thin boards<\/a>, in the 1\/4″ to \u00bd” range<\/strong>, presents two special problems<\/strong>, both easily surmounted with the methods described here. These are usually fairly short pieces of wood, such as for panels and drawer bottoms, which permit alternative methods.<\/p>\n

First, it is difficult to plane a straight, square edge using the usual procedure of clamping the board in the front vise and running a bench plane along the edge. The narrow edge<\/strong> provides little purchase to balance the plane consistently square to the face. The solution is the shooting board<\/a><\/strong>. I bring the two boards together, like closing a book, and align the working edges. Then I set the pair on the shooting board platform with the edges extended slightly beyond the shooting board\u2019s running edge. The plane is, of course, used on its side, but the sole only touches the edges of the work pieces. Hold the boards firmly or use a clamp. Planing the two edges simultaneously<\/strong> in this manner negates any slight discrepancy from square.<\/p>\n

In setting up for an edge joint, care must be taken to match and orient the boards properly<\/strong>. It may not be possible to meet all of these criteria with the available stock, but the first two should not be compromised.<\/p>\n