"Donkey Ear" Fence for Veritas Shooting Board

Instructions

RAMP: Cut a 45 degree bevel on the short side of the 12 by 6 piece of 12 mm plywood (probably easiest on a table saw or router table). If using table saw for outside cuts, the final size of the ramp is 11 by 6. If using SO, the files are sized for outside cuts. Whatever you use, don't remove the bevel from the ramp. Also, it is important that the leading edge of the bevel is square to the sides of the ramp. The bolt recess is cut on the beveled side about 3/16ths deep. The exact size of the bolt recess isn't critical. You can use SO or just chisel it to approximate size. FLOOR: Use table saw or SO to cut from 12 mm plywood. Final dimension is 5.5 by 6. NOTE: I used 12 mm (half inch) plywood for the floor and ramp, because thicker material would block the bolt holes on the fence. FENCE: Uses the 10 by 8, 3/4 plywood. Make a grid and place the Fence file using the custom anchor at 0,0. Cut the bolt holes all the way through. Test fit with a bolt, add negative offset if needed for smooth fit (I used -.001). Place the "Dado and rabbet for fence" file at 0,0 using the custom anchor. Cut the dado and rabbet 3/8ths deep. Test fit the dado with the ramp. You want a snug fit, so carefully add negative offset if needed. If you add negative offset, use it all the way around the dado/rabbet cut (needed so the parts stay in alignment). Also, keep track of the exact offset because you'll need to use the same offset on the rear support rabbet. Cut the outside of the fence. REAR SUPPORT: Grid, then place the "Rear support" file on the 8 by 8 plywood using the custom anchor at 0,0. Place the "Rabbet for rear support" file at 0.0 using the custom anchor. Cut the rabbet 3/8ths deep, using the same offset (if any) you used for the Fence. Cut the outside of the rear support. ASSEMBLY: Before you glue in the ramp, insert the T-bolt that is closest to the edge of the ramp. Glue the ramp bevel down in the dado you cut in the fence, so the edge of the bevel is flush with the bottom of the fence. The ramp will capture the T-bolt. Glue the floor in the fence, then glue the rear support to the ramp and floor. A pin nailer (if you have one) can help hold the parts in place. Otherwise clamp. Note that the second bolt will be free, but you can use a squirt of hot glue inside the fence if you want to hold it in place. When you are ready to use the Donkey Ear, attach it to the Shooting Board in place of the normal auxillary fence. The YouTube video has a procedure for truing the fence using a few playing cards.