The angle bracket or angle plate together with an angle head is an ideal piece of equipment for scribing on vertical and horizontal lines onto the model. With the addition of a vertical scale on the angle bracket, it is easy to set the angle head to any horizontal height and scribe onto the model making duplication easier.

The angle bracket is available commercially and comes in various types of material, aluminum, steel, magnesium etc. The prices vary depending on size and material.

The sketch to the right shows the various components that go to make up the angle bracket. 

The center slot of the angle bracket carries the T-slot nut, the two outside slots are the guides for the angle head. The adjustment knob together with the T-slot nut is used to tighten the angle head against the angle bracket. The two runners on the back of the angle head, slide in the outside slots providing stability and squareness when the angle head is tightened.

Let's proceed to make a pair of angle brackets with angle heads.

The plywood in the photograph represents the material needed to make one angle bracket and one angle head.

Cut two pieces of plywood, one 15"x 6"x 3/4" and one at 8 1/2"x 6"x 3/4", these are the main body and base of the bracket.

For the spine of the bracket, cut a piece of plywood 11 1/2"x 5 1/2"x 3/4" and scribe a mark at 2 1/2" along the top edge. Scribe a line from the 2 1/2" mark to the 5 1/2" width creating a tapered spine. A generous radius can be marked on the top taper for easier handling.

Dry assemble and check for squareness with a combination square.

After checking for alignment and before gluing the bracket together, a slot needs to be made to accept the base of the T-Slot Nut. The size T-Slot Nut that I am using has a base width of 11/16" and is 7/32" deep. Therefore the size of the slot needs to be 3/4"x 1/4" to allow for a little free movement. This can be done on a table saw by setting the blade so that it cuts just 1/4" deep into the plywood.

Adjust the blade to cut to a depth of 1/4" and set the fence 2 5/8" from the edge of the blade. Make the first cut on the table saw ensuring that your fingers are away from the blade, remember you are working blind, use a push stick to guide the plywood through the saw. Rotate the plywood and make a second cut, this will give the overall width of the slot. Adjust the fence by increasing the distance between the blade and the fence by 1/8" increments. This will remove the remaining material until you have a 3/4" wide slot.

Check the width and depth against the T-Slot Nut, make any adjustments necessary. Finally clean the base of the slot out with a chisel to remove any small shavings.

With the slot now finished, set-up on a flat surface and glue the base to the back of the main body. Glue the spine in mid position. Check all for squareness before the glue sets. Once the glue hardens, drill and countersink the plywood pieces and screw together as a secondary measure. This will ensure that the pieces remain secure and square.

The next stage is to provide the slots for the guides of the angle head and the slot that retains the T-Slot Nut.

Using 1/2" plywood, cut two strips 15"x 3/4"x 1/2" and two strips 15"x 1 19/32"x 1/2".

The wider strips, 15"x 1 19/32"x 1/2" will be used to retain the T-Slot Nut in position. Using two T-Slot Nuts as spacers, glue and clamp the wider strips into position making sure that they are 90 degrees to the base i.e. vertical. Check with a combination square.

Once the glue has dried take the 15"x 3/4"x 1/2" strips, glue and clamp to the outside edge of the angle bracket using T-Slot Nuts as spacers. The slot should be 7/16" wide. Once again check for squareness with the combination square.

When the glue is dry, drill and countersink the strips and use 1" dry wall screws to hold the strips in place. This is purely as a secondary precaution. The angle bracket should have the same appearance as the photograph above.

To finalize the angle bracket sand down with fine sandpaper and then seal with linseed oil, shellac or just paste wax. This will prevent any moisture from distorting the bracket.

Now that the main angle bracket is finished lets continue and construct the Angle Head.

Angle Bracket PDF      To construct the angle bracket, download the technical illustration.

Copyright © 2004 - 20 Steven Austin

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