94 Shooting-Board

Basic
3-in-1 BUILDS
SHOOTING
BOARD
A basic bench appliance that
yields precision performance
Designed by Craig Bentzley,
built by Chad McClung
Square Ends
Frame Miters Case Miters
S
everal of my recent projects called my own. I’d always find a workaround, other woodworkers. My research led
for a shooting board—a jig that even setting up makeshift shooters at my to a chat with master craftsman Craig
facilitates sneaking up on perfect- bench. Finally fed up with shortcuts, I Bentzley, on whose invaluable expertise
fitting joinery by shaving the end grain decided to build a board that was stout I’ve come to rely. His go-to jig is easy to
of a workpiece with a hand plane. I had and able to accommodate the kind of make, versatile, accurate, and will last a
used a few over the years in other shops work I do. But where to start? I did what long time – just what I was looking for.
but never got around to making one of any good woodworker does and asked With Bentzley’s blessing, I got building.
26
Simple yet versatile
Case Miter Ramp Side View
F.H. screw FENCE
#6 × 15⁄8" 1
⁄2 × 3 × 7"
RAMP
1
⁄2 × 4 × 67⁄8"
MITER ATTACHMENT 45° LEG
⁄4 × 7 × 12"
3 3
⁄4 × 41⁄2 × 7"
FENCE
Frame Miter Attachment Top View
11⁄2 × 2 × 12"
11⁄2"
5"
RISER
1
⁄2 × 12 × 20"
2"
F.H. screw BASE

#6 × 2" ⁄4 × 16 × 20"
3
Plane runway
F.H. screw
I used MCP (melamine-coated particleboard) #6 × 11⁄4"
for the base, but phenolic plywood also works.
Even birch plywood will do the job, but wax
the runways for a slick, wear-resistant surface.
Make the fence from tight-grained hardwood CLEAT
such as maple or cherry. These dimensions ⁄4 × 11⁄2 × 16"
3
aren’t critical so build to suit. Nevertheless, all

90° and 45° angles must be dead-accurate.
A plane runway on both sides makes
your jig ambidextrous, which is useful
when trimming miters on frame pieces
that don’t have two flat faces. The frame
miter attachment secures with two screws Order of Work
for quick on-and-off. The ramp, which • Assemble base and riser, cut to size
clamps to the fence when needed, provides • Make and attach cleat and fence
a means to shoot case miters for boxes and • Make miter attachment
other small projects with mitered walls. • Build case miter ramp to suit
Photos: Larry Hamel-Lambert; Illustrations: Greg Maxson April/May 2020 | woodcraftmagazine.com 27

Make the jig
Riser-to-base connection. Center the riser on the base to create a 2" runway Attach the cleat. Mount the cleat on the
on each side, and clamp the parts together. Connect the pieces with 1"-long underside of the base, flush to its front edge.
18-gauge brads through the bottom of the base, avoiding screw locations Drill pilot and clearance holes, followed up
for the cleat and fence. Use your crosscut sled to saw the jig to size. by a countersink, then drive the screws.
On the square. Use an accurate square

to double-check that your fence is at a
perfect 90°-angle, and clamp it in place.
Cut some 3/4" MCP to 16 × 24" for the base, and some
1/2" MDF to 12 × 24" for the riser. Nail the parts together.
Then saw the jig to 20" using your crosscut sled, saving
the offcut to function as an outboard for supporting
longer workpieces (p. 26). Cut the cleat and fence to size Flip and attach. With the assembly turned
and attach them where shown in the drawing on p. 27. over, attach the fence from underneath.
28
Make the attachments
Frame miter attachment. Tack temporary fences to your crosscut sled

at 90° to each other and 45° to the cut line. Make the cut, then trim the
acute corners at the chop saw, leaving the length at just over 12". Screw the
centered piece to the riser, and trim the ends flush with your hand plane.
Case miter ramp. Use the jig’s fence to hold the case miter ramp
pieces square as you pin them in place using 3⁄4"-long pins.
Lay out a triangle on a 12 × 12"

Shooting Board in Use
piece of 3/4" MDF, and cut it to Using a shooting board isn’t difficult, but • Don’t push the plane away from
size as shown. The blunt ends of it does require some dexterity. Here are a the riser with the workpiece.
the miter attachment help to keep few tips that will ensure accurate joinery. • Push the plane through the cut,
your workpiece miters crisp and • With one hand, press the so the blade passes the fence.
clean. Push the miter attachment workpiece against the fence, • Use a plane with some heft
against the fence, clamp in place, pushing the jig away from you (I recommend a #51⁄2 ).
and secure with woodscrews where so the cleat catches squarely on • Wax the runway and the sole and
shown in the drawing (p. 27). the bench. Simultaneously, sneak sides of your plane before you shoot.
Use whatever available scraps you the piece toward the runway. • A tuned plane with a sharp blade
have to make the case miter ramp, • With your other hand, slide the plane makes all the difference. Visit
but keep it lightweight. Size it to on the runway against the riser. Keep our website for free articles on
accommodate the work you do. the plane’s toe against the workpiece. plane maintenance and use. n
April/May 2020 | woodcraftmagazine.com 29

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Basic

Frame Miters Case Miters

F.H. screw BASE

aren’t critical so build to suit. Nevertheless, all

Photos: Larry Hamel-Lambert; Illustrations: Greg Maxson April/May 2020 | woodcraftmagazine.com 27

On the square. Use an accurate square

Frame miter attachment. Tack temporary fences to your crosscut sled

Lay out a triangle on a 12 × 12"

April/May 2020 | woodcraftmagazine.com 29

□ Payment Enclosed □ Bill Me

Send in now to get

2 Years for $29.99!

or go to woodcraftmagazine.com and click SUBSCRIBE

By providing my e-mail address, I am indicating I’d like to receive information

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