Groove Cutter for Wood
Having occasion to cut some grooves in a board and not being properly equipped for such work, I made the tool shown in the sketch. Although rather crude in appearance it will do good work if properly made. It consists of a handle, A, shaped to afford a comfortable grip for the hand, and a cutter, B, made of a short piece of hacksaw blade, clamped along the left side of the handle by the strip C, which is held with screws. A pin, D, driven into the handle and allowed to project about ¹⁄₁₆ in., prevents the blade from sliding back under the clamp. For guiding the blade, the arrangement F is employed. An extension, E, is nailed on the right side of the handle, and holes made near each end for two screws having round heads, such as may be obtained from discarded dry batteries. These screws are for securing the sliding stop F, which is a flat piece of hardwood with slots cut near the end for screws to pass through to provide for adjustment.
Two Slots are Made with the Cutter, and the Stock between Them Removed with a Chisel
In use, the guide F is adjusted until it is the desired distance from the cutter and then secured by the screws. The tool is handled like a plane, care being taken not to bear down too hard, as the cutter may bind and cause it to be pulled from the clamp. In cutting a groove, two slots are cut and the stock between them removed with a chisel.