Beard Comb Issue

[smokey0810]

Trying to cut fingers for a beard comb on my table saw using a finger joint jig. Keep getting teeth knocked out and its frustrating the daylights out of me. Working with Red Oak and Hickory. Anyone made one before and have tips against this happening? Thanks

 

[jrj3rd]

sandwich your work piece between two pieces of plywood to provide extra support

 

[Ehcrain]

Try using a band saw, smaller blade with less kerf loss

 

[brianh]

Sandwiching as said will do the trick.

 

[jimgood]

Pics please! This I gotta see!

 

[PCustoms]

Try using a band saw, smaller blade with less kerf loss

How the heck are you getting the fingers close enough with a table saw anyway?

How do you have your grain oriented in relation to the cut?

 

[smokey0810]

It's a beard comb, some the fingers are only as wide as the kerf on the blade, which is about 5/8".
That was one of my issues I didn't really think about until last night was having the grain oriented with the cut.

This was a prototype in pine I made a few days ago.

 

[smokey0810]

This is a VERY raw prototype of a folding one I am trying to make, which is where I was working last night at the time of my first posting.
Got some binding posts to work as the hinge, instead of just a screw.

 

[PCustoms]

Grain is correct in your first pic, incorrect in the 2nd. Flip the direction and you should be OK

 

[smokey0810]

Thanks for the input...Greatly appreciated!
The second one was mainly to get the folding style done. It's a little big and bulky, just gotta work on it ALOT more. Thanks again! - John

 

[ddawg16]

sandwich your work piece between two pieces of plywood to provide extra support

Try using a band saw, smaller blade with less kerf loss

Both......You really need the thin kerf of the band saw. With the band saw, you may not need the support...but...it saves you having to do it over

 

[Shiftless]

Grain is correct in your first pic, incorrect in the 2nd. Flip the direction and you should be OK

to that ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

[Swingpress]

I am of no help but I want a folding one badly!!!!! Especially if the teeth and area where they meet the spine are rounded!![emoji3]

 

[rlitman]

Grain is correct in your first pic, incorrect in the 2nd. Flip the direction and you should be OK

Mostly agreed with this.

In the first pic, the grain running the length of the tines will keep the tines from breaking, but that grain direction will let the comb split between the tines.

In the second pic, the grain running across the tines will let the tines break off.

The first grain orientation is preferred, BUT if you want this to last, I would suggest that before you cut the tines, turn the comb so that the future tines will be facing up. Then make a cut on the tablesaw the length of the comb up the middle, about 2/3 of the way to the base of the tines. Then fill that cut in with a piece of wood called a spline that has the grain oriented the long way.

The splined comb will have the long grain supporting the teeth, and the spline will support the back of the comb.

 

[ddawg16]

^^That^^

And I think I'd pick a different wood. That wood looks like red oak....a good hardwood....but something like hard Maple would work better...or white oak....tighter grain

 

[smokey0810]

Thanks for the input on wood. The first was actually just some pine, but finished with a quick coat of teak oil.
I've got some hickory and mahagony laying around the shop...Think either of those will be good?
Got my bandsaw tuned and running tonight. Blade slipped 3 times before I finally got it aligned and cutting.

 

[ddawg16]

Not Mahogany....way too soft.

But the hickory? I've BBQ'd with it....but never made anything out of it.

If it's a close tight grain, it should be fine.