Learning to design #2: Pine may simply not be the right material to test small designs + jig frustrations

I started to test my design that I sketched up. I am thinking I may have done better to make the mock-up in plywood. I probably don’t have a very gentle touch… the pine cracked when I tried to make my first finger joint. Now I have to wait another day as I glue it back together.

I made a couple of modifications already. I realized the box was 11cm by 9.9cm. Why 9.9? Because I did not pay attention in the sketch. I fixed it to 10. No need to have to be precise to a millimeter!

Also, the top was way too thin. It’s now 1.5cm thick so that the bottom rabbet is 0.5cm deep.

I also learned I should figure out the thickness of wood available to me and design around it if I am making small stuff that I cannot pass through the planer. It would make my life easier.

I tried to make a finger box joint jig for the tablesaw on sunday based on Taunton’s jigs and fixtures book. But I don’t like it. I find it too wiggly and the results are not consistent. Maybe it’s my miter guide, which I complain does not give me 90 degrees when I want. I think I need to build a sled type jig – something sturdier. The only one I saw so far was made by Scrappy – so I will try to copy it.

I have only one day this weekend to work in my shop. Looks like I will be making a jig and testing it before I go any further! I suppose it’s not unusual to spend a whole day doing that – especially if you are a beginner?