Cory
Well-Known Member
I am working on a 54mm MD build, and wanted to be able to properly bevel the leading and trailing G10 fin edges. I reviewed many plans, particularly liking John Coker's version shown here https://jcrocket.com/finbevels.shtml. I recently purchased a harbor freight bench top belt sander https://www.harborfreight.com/1-in-x-30-in-belt-sander-60543.html, and wanted to make a beveling jig to fit. I attempted to simplify the design and came up with this-
Simply a piece of 1/2" plywood secured with screws from the underside to a 2x2, cut down the long edge on a table saw @ 10 degrees. The plywood base offers anchor points for c-clamp(s) as shown in the picture. The idea being you attach the 10 degree jig edge at a distance from the sander such that ~1/2 the fin thickness is made into a bevel as the fin is moved from side to side along the jig.
The astute builders here will immediately notice the lack of multiple anchors on the jig in the picture, and are probably already chuckling to themselves. I was so proud of this newly completed tool, the fact I could only find one c-clamp to fit seemed trivial. I attempted to use vice-grips for approximately 30 seconds, but such use lifted the bottom of the contraption so the angle was no longer set properly. Eventually I decided clamping it in the middle would be satisfactory, after all thats where the force is applied . I'll be gentle I thought . So I grabbed a fin from another project where bevel precision is not critical or even necessary, and put the G10 on the belt (PPE ALWAYS USED INCLUDE PARTICULATE RESPIRATOR AND GLASSES).
I could tell right away the bevel was to deep, but was cutting very smoothly UNTIL about two thirds of the way down the leading edge about 5 seconds from finishing, feeling giddy with success, I applied to much pressure forward of the anchor point and AHHHH **** :bang:
I think the jig will work fine with a second c-clamp, the bevel produced is suprisingly uniform especially considering this was done with a 60 grit sanding belt. I'm planning to re-cut the 10 degree jig angle in a few minutes (sander took a little of the jig with the fin), purchase a second small c-clamp, and try again with the two remaining fins from the set to try and find the right grit belt and develop a repeatable technique (ordered another set for the same as the cost of a c-clamp).
Moral of the story...Don't get the quick @$$ :2:
Simply a piece of 1/2" plywood secured with screws from the underside to a 2x2, cut down the long edge on a table saw @ 10 degrees. The plywood base offers anchor points for c-clamp(s) as shown in the picture. The idea being you attach the 10 degree jig edge at a distance from the sander such that ~1/2 the fin thickness is made into a bevel as the fin is moved from side to side along the jig.
The astute builders here will immediately notice the lack of multiple anchors on the jig in the picture, and are probably already chuckling to themselves. I was so proud of this newly completed tool, the fact I could only find one c-clamp to fit seemed trivial. I attempted to use vice-grips for approximately 30 seconds, but such use lifted the bottom of the contraption so the angle was no longer set properly. Eventually I decided clamping it in the middle would be satisfactory, after all thats where the force is applied . I'll be gentle I thought . So I grabbed a fin from another project where bevel precision is not critical or even necessary, and put the G10 on the belt (PPE ALWAYS USED INCLUDE PARTICULATE RESPIRATOR AND GLASSES).
I could tell right away the bevel was to deep, but was cutting very smoothly UNTIL about two thirds of the way down the leading edge about 5 seconds from finishing, feeling giddy with success, I applied to much pressure forward of the anchor point and AHHHH **** :bang:
I think the jig will work fine with a second c-clamp, the bevel produced is suprisingly uniform especially considering this was done with a 60 grit sanding belt. I'm planning to re-cut the 10 degree jig angle in a few minutes (sander took a little of the jig with the fin), purchase a second small c-clamp, and try again with the two remaining fins from the set to try and find the right grit belt and develop a repeatable technique (ordered another set for the same as the cost of a c-clamp).
Moral of the story...Don't get the quick @$$ :2: