TIP - Adjustable Story Stick

[charlese]

Many of you have already found that the use of story sticks is not only easier than using a measuring tape, but more accurate.

I made three adjustable story sticks some time ago (each different lengths) and this is a photo of using the smallest one to measure and to cut the pieces that will fit into the dadoes. Just adjust the length with the two bolts/wingnuts. Also use this stick between the saw blade and a stop block for the accurate cut.

The most popular use of these pointed sliding sticks is to determine the squareness of a frame.

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[lv2wdwrk]

Many of you have already found that the use of story sticks is not only easier than using a measuring tape, but more accurate.

I made three adjustable story sticks some time ago (each different lengths) and this is a photo of using the smallest one to measure and to cut the pieces that will fit into the dadoes. Just adjust the length with the two bolts/wingnuts. Also use this stick between the saw blade and a stop block for the accurate cut.

The most popular use of these pointed sliding sticks is to determine the squareness of a frame.

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Carlese,

Great idea.
Could you post more pics? These old eyes:( and slow brain cannot determine just how ments are made are made.:eek:

Thanks.

[navycop]

How did you cut the groove? Was it with a router?

[judaspre1982]

Thanks for the post/pic Chuck. I have heard you speak of a story stick before on the forum but could never imagine just how it worked. I now see how handy they can be. I was imagining more how a story pole is used for siding. They look like they would work good to get into some more narrow dados/grooves also, such as 3/8 or maybe 1/4 in. Places where tape measures and folding rulers have a hard time reaching into. Thanks again-----Dave

[paul269]

Very interesting. Please post a better photo so I can see how it is made.

[charlese]

O.K. a couple more pix will be coming -

To make a couple of these - get some scrap stock- (I used ¼" MDF).
--Using a wider piece of scrap for safety's sake, Route a ¼" wide slot in the scrap, about a half inch from the side.
--Then saw closer to the slot on both sides and cut points on the ends.
I used a band saw to make the sides of the scrap closer to the sides and to make the points. (the points don't have to be perfectly centered - just free handed.

These sticks will reach exactly into corners or into smaller slots or dadoes.

With Several sizes of these sticks there is no longer a need to bend a measuring tape, "loose an inch" on the tape, or make an approximate pencil mark on a stick. The sticks are held together only by the small bolts and matching wing nuts. You can have a 6 inch stick, 1 foot stick, a 2 ft. stick a 3 footer and so forth. They can be mixed and matched to fit your needs.

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[efmaron]

Thanks for the rest of the story about the story sticks. GOOD TIP

[joedw00]

Thanks for the tip. It looks like a very useful tool.:)