Making crosses level: the saga continues

[workin for wood]

I'll tell you Cathy that I feel your pain. I know it's hand crafted, but you have standards. I would never be able to let that out of the shop like that.

Now..as stated before, you have a mortise, but you don't have a tenon. You are using the entire cross as a tenon and that would mess with me too. As I look at it I puzzle over the easiest way to put a tenon on the bottom of the cross, and there is no easy way that comes to mind. You can cut a tennon with the scroll saw on 2 sides, but not on all four sides because you have to turn the cross on it's side which would mean the cross arms are pointing up and down. You pretty much need to put it in a vise and chisel those. My solution therefore is to use a dowel to attach the cross to the base. Using drill press you drill hole that is size of dowel into center of base. Then same hole up into bottom of cross. Base is easy, tricky part is drilling square into the cross. I imagine that you attach a pattern to the wood then cut it out. Before cutting it out is best time to drill hole in cross. This is when the wood is still square and parallel, or so we hope. Preferred method would be to use a vice in the drill press. Otherwise, buy a drill press jig for your hand drill. The jig will be tough to hold on the end of a 3/4 board, so clamp a couple more boards flush with the end of the board you are drilling to increase area for your foot. This will drill a straight hole, and the post will not only have no gaps but it will be square.

[Mike Crosa]

Working on Jeff's suggestion of a dowel I would think that a pen drilling jig might be the solution.

[FRETDUST]

I attach the cross using a screw from the bottom and it does not take long at all. The dowel way sounds way too hard too me. Here is how i do it. Place the cross on the base where you want it. Mark the front and one side with a pencil. Find the center of the lines you marked. Use a small drill bit and drill through the base where you marked the center. Now put a piece of double sided tape on the bottom of the cross and place it on the base where you made the lines. Drill up from the bottom of the base with the small bit which will make a mark on the bottom of the cross. Then use a bigger bit to drill out both holes and attach with a screw. Once you get the hang of it you can do it in no time

Steve in Mi

[Cutting Cathy]

Oh my goodness I never imagined so many replies of help when I posted this!! And all the nice things everyone has said, I'm truly overwhelmed!!

George: I just attached a pattern to some wood that I drew in a "tenon". I'm going to try this technique first. I also plan to try Gill's idea with tilting the table slightly. It's almost scary that I actually understand what you were talking about Gill!!!

Although I do understand what you are talking about too Jeff. I wondered about only being able to cut 2 sides of the tenon. But I'm going to try that anyway. I like the idea of the dowel also. And I have a bunch of them around here somewhere, so will try that too. And I just read Steve's post about attaching with a screw, so there is one more thing to try!!

As far are these are concerned, I plan on just finishing them the best I can. Glue, a little sawdust here and there for good measure.... I mean to cover up!! You have all helped me immensely and I'm extremely grateful!! Not only have you given me several ideas to try out, but you've also given me the confidence to keep trying with your kind words! And what about you Wood Dog, remembering I cut that Corian trivet!! Thanks again and I will let you know how I do!!!

Cathy in NE

[will8989]

Here's how my hubby solved that problem when I made the cross, which is lovely. Instead of putting it in the center of the base, we made it fit flush with the back of the base. I cut 3 sides on my scroll saw, smaller than needed, and he squared it up with a chisel. We then put a wooden candle holder centered on the base in front of it. He sunk the screw into the bottom so everything was flush and flat. Being the "straight lines & right angle" person that he is, I would never get that onto my table either unless it was a perfect fit.

Hope this helps.

Betty