Metrology, The study of accurate measurement.

Rob — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 04:15:05 +0000

Metrology is defined as the science of measurement. More particularly for the woodworker or the home shop machinist/toolmaker, one of the divisions of metrology, which is of particular interest, is applied or industrial metrology. This is about the application of measurement, the suitability of measuring instruments, their calibration, and the quality of the measurements they produce.

So the accurate instrument is applied to create a needed measurement. The quality of the measurements becomes the layout that evolves into successful production. The gist of it is that the woodworker is trying to produce a thing, and the thing is often rendered from a drawing and plans which include materials and cut list. The go between that takes the project off the prints and puts it on the materials being used are the tools of metrology. The measurement and layout tools.

The heavy hitter in the woodworker’s and home shop machinist’s shop then becomes not only the quality of the layout tools, but the knowledge of how to apply them, and the quality of the results rendered by them, and that trifecta is the system of dimensional metrology.

One of the things I have enjoyed down through the years is the process of laying out the work. It is something I have enjoyed professionally, and something I enjoy as a hobby, because the challenge, which comes from, it is always new. I am sure that for some, the problem-solving component of woodworking is what keeps their hand in it. It is not as much the end for some, as it is the means.

In any case, the subject of metrology, most specifically ‘dimensional metrology’, the tools and the layout strategies that they help employ are something of a fun puzzle for me, and will be a part of what I’ll write about here. It has it’s own category, and I’d like to extend the invite to click into the subject from time to time, just to see if there is something there for you.

Happy measuring!

For Layout and Marking, Chalk is cheap!

Rob — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 18:29:58 +0000

Layout work is a tedious and exacting part of woodworking. We select boards for size and grain orientation. We hope this is in part, the “art” of our work that separates our project from that which is good, to that of greatness.

We sharpen our tools and skills, we buy accurate measuring and marking tools all with the hope of accurately conveying our vision. We go to work and accurately lay out the work, checking, and double-checking everything as we go to assure we have everything right.

We cut our wood, taking care to get every cut right and of course they are perfect, except for the fact that the face of the board we loved so much is now going to be the back, because we got turned around while we were trying to be so careful. We did not mark our boards properly to affirm their proper orientations in the project above all else.

Can you imagine being half way through with some half blinds when you discover the orientation error?

Oh Man…

A bummer, but it is avoidable.

Buy yourself some chalk and mark your boards as to the intended orientation. Chalk is a buck for a box and it could save you thousands of dollars in layout errors over time. Wipes off, leaves no trace, keeps you on the intended track

Blue painter’s masking tape and a Sharpie marker is a great adhesive notepad for on board paper brain purposes as well.

As an upgrade to plain chalk, consider getting a chalk holder for your piece of chalk. It keeps you cleaner and helps keep the chalk from breaking and rolling off onto the floor. Keep it in the pocket of your apron really nice, you know, where you may find it and maybe remember to use it!

You can also use the blackboard chalk as a release agent on files so that hardwoods, brass and aluminum do not so easily clog the grooves of the file, and this helps make the files work better, last longer and dull more slowly.

Happy Woodworking!

Evenfall Woodworks » Design

Metrology, The study of accurate measurement.

For Layout and Marking, Chalk is cheap!