V-Block From 4x4 Wood

Twenty years ago I needed to drill some holes in PVC pipe. So I ripped a V-Block out of a scrap block of 4x4 timber.

You need a table saw for this project.

Please use Safety Glasses and

DON"T PUT YOUR FINGERS INTO THE BLADE!!

Use pusher sticks and you will be OK.

So I was clamping something in the V-Block and the wood split! The nerve! Time to make a new V-Block.

I thought about gluing this back together, but I could make a nice fresh one.

While being exactly 45° is nice, close is OK too. Here I use the head from a square to check the angle. If you get this right a square block will fit in the V-Block at 45°.

Here you can see rough layout lines so I can check if the blade can cut deep enough.

Using the layout lines as a guide, clamp the fence next to the blade.

So once you have things lined up, drop the blade to about half way. This makes for an easier and safer cut. This is a deep rip and it is OK to take it in stages so you don't overload your saw's motor. Safer too since reducing the cutting forces reduces the risk from the saw grabbing, etc.

Cut both sides half way before raising the blade. The soon to be scrap in the center helps support now.

You can see that this cut will free the scrap.

The scrap stops where it gets free.

I like to save scrap triangles like this to support painting projects.

The V groove is cut, but there is still a bit a wood at the very bottom.

So we are done with the angle cut, time to square up the blade. I have this little square I made back in Trade School that is real handy here. Anything square will do.

Raise the blade to reach the bottom of the V and set the fence to hit the center.

I ran the block through twice, once in each direction. Makes a relief that is centered, without pesky measurements.

To have a place for C-Clamps I cut two Dados, one on each end. If I was making more of these ( for friends perhaps, Gifts, etc. ) I would set up the dado blade. But for just two grooves I took multiple cuts using the miter guide for support. Here the fence is set for the bottom of the ledge.

An alternate would be to screw a bit of plywood to the bottom of the V-Block.

I moved the fence over to the top of the groove for the ledge. About 10 more passes and the groove was finished.

So the two clamping ledges allow a firm mount to a drill press.

Here a bit of PVC pipe to show how it works. I've also pre-drilled holes in oak floor boards to avoid splitting.

Hi Gang: I passed the drill press and realized I had a second V-Block for drilling floor boards. And it has plywood screwed to the bottom for clamping! Also it is off center to support the floor board.

I just hate to drive a nail or screw into wood and have it split. So when I put bamboo flooring in our camper I drilled the boards for small wood screws. The off center V-block made it easy. Carl.

https://www.instructables.com/Replace-Rotten-Camper-Floor/