PLR/aarn: picture frame doweling jig [furn]
Peter Reynolds is a good friend and talented worker of woods. Peter and I have worked together on projects ranging from the launch of T0001 and Union Foundry (which we have handed over to Peter as the sole-proprietor since the release of T0001) to copy for a cookbook (he has a way with words). Our most recent work together was in the design and fabrication of a custom jig for locating and drilling holes in the process of crafting hardwood picture frames. The jig has two hardened steel drill bushings press-fit into a CNC cut maple form. The jig is aligned onto the cut face of a mitered 45-degree piece of framing stock, and lightly clamped from the outside (using a vice or c-clamp) to hold the position, then the two holes are drilled. In assembly of a picture frame two identically cut and drilled pieces are arranged in opposite orientation with the cut faces of the miter touching each other and glued dowel pins are pressed in, which hold the corner of the picture frame together (I know, we need some pictures of this). Back to the design…after brainstorming with Peter on the operation and assembly of the jig, I took his dimensioned sketches and generated a styled 3d model around the principal of the mechanism. Most of the aesthetic features in the part are designed around the task that the overall part and/or feature accomplishes. Recesses and material removal allow for controlled flexing, and limit where the operator can clamp the fixture. Corner cutouts allow for a rounded tool to cut a corner that can snugly and reliably fixture and locate a sharp-cornered rectangular cross-section of wood.
I then created a series of tool paths and cut the jig out of maple using my CNC router. A dab of mineral oil and a wipe of Renaissance wax finished up the piece. Hopefully we can put together a process video or a series of photos to show how this jig works in the near future. I know that Peter is working to try and get a portfolio developed to showcase some of his skills and projects. Stay tuned for more info on Peter Reynolds and the future of Union Foundry.
