Abalone Slicer

First off I would like state that this is not an automated slicer and is really poorly named because there isn't actually any blade involved but I couldn't think of a better name so whatever. Anyway, this device is really more of a guide for slicing thin abalone steaks. It would be great for slicing abalone on a camping trip or something like that where larger electric slicers are impractical or inconvenient. So yeah, on with the instructible!

Step 1: Materials and Tools

Materials

1. One Wooden Coat-hanger
2. One Plastic Cutting Board
3. One Piece of Scrap Wood (height matters little as does width, should be as long as the cutting board is long)
4. Eight Wood Screws (four for the coat-hanger, four for the wood)

Tools

1. One Saw (of any kind as long as it cut wood and plastic
2. Drill Bits (should match the screws)
3. One Countersink
4. One Drill
5. Screwdrivers (again, to match the screws)
6. Sandpaper (I used a power sander because I'm lazy)
7. Clamps
8. Pliers/Wire Cutters

Step 2: Prepare the Coat-hanger

The pictures are fairly self explanatory but I'll explain it anyway. Cut or saw off the wire hook. You might be able to unbend the hook and just pull it out. Next, saw the coat-hanger in half and sand the ragged edges.

Step 3: Prepare the Wood

Cut the wood to the width of the cutting board and sand any sharp corners.

Step 4: Assemble

If you already have a clean abalone use that to align the wooden pieces. If not, follow the pictures. Once the clothes-hanger is in the proper place clamp the pieces in place. Drill guide holes on the opposite sides of the clothes-hanger and countersink. When countersinking, keep in mind that the screws must be flush with or below the surface of the clothes-hanger for the rig to work. Screw in the screws and repeat for the other side. Once that is complete, place the other piece of wood up against the clothes-hanger and align it with the edges of the board like it is shown in the pictures. Drill holes near the four corners of the board and countersink each of them. Finally, screw in the remainder four screws.

Step 5: Use

To use the abalone slicing rig, place a shucked and cleaned abalone between the two clothes-hanger pieces and brace it against the board in the back. Slice with a long knife making sure that both sides of the blade are touching the clothes-hanger but not cutting the wood itself. It is important to keep the blade flat so as to not cut into the wood.