Tumbling Block

A1Jim wanted to know how to cut the pieces to make a “tumbling block” pattern. This is how I did it.

The first photo shows a small “tumbling block” pattern. Each piece in the pattern is the same size. The width and the length of each piece are the same. The sharp angle of each piece is 60 degrees.

Let’s assume that the desired width is 1-1/4”.

I would first make a sled as shown in pix 2 and 3. A fence would be attached to the sled at an angle of exactly 60 degrees from the saw blade. Then make a stop from a piece of scrap that has one end cut at a 60 degree angle. (This will allow the stop and the fence to nest with two sides of the piece to be cut.) Attach the stop so that it is exactly 1-1/4” inches from the saw blade and parallel to the blade. This will ensure that the width and length of each piece of the tumbling block are equal.

The tumbling block pattern usually uses three different types of wood. Rip a piece of each wood to 1-1/4”. The pattern shown in pix 1 requires four pieces of each of the three types of wood. Therefore, each of the three strips should be approximately 1 foot long.

Place a strip of wood against the fence and slice off a piece to make the end cut at 60 degrees. Now move the strip firmly against the stop and make a cut. You now have the first part of the pattern. Cut up all three strips and assemble the pattern.

Check the 60 degree angle if the six pieces in the middle of the pattern do not fit correctly. Check the blade to stop distance for any other problems.

This can also be done using a miter guage with a stop.

I hope that this is helpful.

-- "A goal without a plan is a wish."