On 7/21/2015 12:07 PM, Mike Marlow wrote:
Swingman wrote:


Taking a look at xrays of M&T joints in antique furniture will disavow
you of the idea most old time woodworking was somehow the epitome of
precision when done by hand.

Sure, there are a few bespoke "master works" with precision joinery,
but most product of the old time woodworker wouldn't pass the muster
of today's imaginary magazine standards, which are driven by
advertising dollar, in pursuit of a perfection that rarely ever
existed in practice.

Thank you Karl! With all of the talk here about precision to 1/128th of an
inch and all that, it is really noteworthy that those often admired artisans
of yore, never came even clost to that - nor did they need to. The evidence
of their precision remains standing today, as proof of what really matters.


Well deep in mind Mike that the precision of hidden mortises and tenons
is not so important, and yes we are talking at least 64ths of an inch,
when it comes to what you actually see.

For instance if you are not cutting stock precisely the same length for
rails for door or face frames, way more accurate than 1/128", you see
gaps and cracks. Their lengths are not so important so much as their
lengths have to be dead nuts the same.

And then there was the last kitchen that Karl and I worked on where we
were dealing with measurements in the 64ths of an inch gap between
cabinet doors and drawers for the parts that you do see.

Basically you have to know and recognize when you have to be anally
accurate and when that is not so important. ;~)

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