Router Joinery < Workshop Carol Reed tt i, id & a ) . “za a SsRouter Joinery Workshop Common Joints, Simple Setups & Clever Jigs Carol ReedTable of Contents Introduction ‘SECTION 1: TOOLS, JIGS, AND TECHNIQUES |... ‘Chapter 1: Choosing a Router ‘Chapter 2: Router Bits . ‘Chapter 3: The Router Toolbox . ‘Chapter 4: Jiggery ‘Bese Marker Router Table Box Joint Jig Push Sticks, Sleds, and Featherboards ... Router Cradle... Offset Baseplate ...... outer Tracking System . Montising Fixture . Dovetail Jig Becta 5: Special Holding a of Hot Glue ‘Using 2 Vacuum Clamping ‘System ‘Chapter ‘6: Basic Router ing and Marking Stock. Id or Router Table? ‘a Router Table Fence a Zero-Clearance Fence Without a Fence Bit Height and Depth . Safe and Accurate Cuts Routing Habits 7: Rabbets ‘Small Stock Grain in Large Stock . Grain in Small Stock . ‘Grain in Short Stock 'Grain in Long Stock . .. 8: Dadoes, Grooves, Dado . Dado i Groove in Wide Stock 2: THE JOINTS ..... ‘Through Groove in Narrow Stock Stopped Groove in Wide Stock Stopped Groove in Narrow Stock Through or Stopped Edge Groove Standard Slot ..... . Rabbeted Slot . Chapter 8: Box Joint « Chapter 10: Mortises and Tenons . Standard Mortise Hinge Mortise . 100 Tenons 102 Chapter 11: Dovetails 108 Half-Blind Dovetails =. 108 Sliding Dovetail m Chapter 12: Special Joints with Special Bits .... cee 8 Drawer Lock sees 115 Lock Miter -.118 Cope and Stick . 122 Raised Panel 2125 SECTION 3: SPECIAL ‘STUFF 128 Chapter 13: Routing with Templates . . 129 ‘Template Routing « 130 Complementary Template Routing ... - +. 132 Template Inlay 136 SECTION 4: PRACTICE PROJECTS . 139 Chapter 14: Projects That Test Your Joinery Skills ... 140 Breadboard . 141 Totebox 142 ‘Small Bookcase . 144 ‘Small Table . 148 Router Bit Cabinet ........... = 150 Frame-and-Panel Door . 153 Dovetailed Drawer and Router Bit Trays... 155 Acknowledgments ......6...6... 158 Index - 159)Introduction all know that choosing the \ K ] right joint and milling it accu rately are the key elements of fine woodworking. But how many of us feel that we have a firm handle on the joint-making process? Novices marvel at the projets and skills of more prof cient woodworkers and wonder, “How do they do it?” On the other hand, many skilled woodworkers know there must be an easier way. Others decide it's time to learn a new joint. And everyone wonders which is the best tool for the job It’s to al of these woodworking folk that Totfer this book. It presents the router as the tool of choice for making joints accurately, quickly, and consistently. Inside youll find practical joint-making Instructions, including the tools and jigs you'll need, with sequential instructions and over 200 photos and illustrations that make each process cleat As The Router Lady, I've been teaching. students the ins and outs of the router for many years through woodworking colleges, woodworking shows, guilds, and in my own shop. My own skills didn’t come easily. When I first learned of the router over 20 years ago, the machine nearly defeated me. But I became determined to master it. When ater became an instructor, I discov- ered my students had the same frustra tions, and so through the years 1 developed and refined simple and proven jigs and techniques. Now I have the chance to share them with you. Router Joinery Workshop is divided into four sections. The first section contains advice on choosing the best router, bits, and other router tools—and essential techniques for using them. In addition, there are numerous jigs you can make for more efficient and accu: rate joints. You'll also find special hold. ing systems for securing your work predictably and safely. Section Two covers methods for cutting common woodworking joints with a router. Look for rabbets, dadoes, srooves, slots, box joints, mortise-and. tenon joints, and dovetails. There's even a chapter on making joints with special bits, including drawer-lock joints, lock-miter joints, and cope-and: stick joinery for door making, with instructions for making raised panels asa bonus, Section Three is offered as “dessert.” Here you'll find special template-rout- ing techniques at which the router excels, You'll learn how to make multi- ple, irregular-shaped parts and join complex curved pieces using template routing and complementary template routing. Plus you'll find out how to fix detects or decorate a plain project using router inlay, The fourth and last section includes practical projects that let you practice your new joinery skills, as well as ‘make some pretty fine furniture, You'l find all the information you need for making a fancy breadboard, a box, a bookcase, a table, and a cabinet with trays, drawer, and paneled door. As practice projects, the pieces are small and manageable, but they're designed so you can scale them up if you choose. Build them so you can try the joints in the book, and consider them a primer for more challenging projects down the road ‘As you practice some of the techniques in the book, you'll discover there are many ways in woodworking to do the same thing. Be open to new methods, and try a different approach if it suits you. However, keep in mind that there are only two wrong ways when it comes to doing anything in the shop: The first doesn't work, the second is unsafe. If at any point you are uncom forable, stop and think it through ‘And always stay within your center of balance. Consider where your hands and fingers are—and where they'll be when a machine is turned on. Dress appropriately by removing jewelry securing loose clothing, and tucking haar out of the way. Above all, practice first. Then hit the “on” switch, You'll find many tools and accessories in the book. A complete source list can be found at the Lark Books website iwwewlarkbooks.com]. Or you can con- tact me directly at www.routerlady.com. Can't find a jig or kit you read about? Is my written description lacking? ‘Want to know what's new in tech: niques, machines, o bits? Interested in taking a class? Check my website, or drop me a line—you'll find my e-mail address listed on my site So come on aver to The Router Lady’s shop. Now that you're ready to learn how it’s really done, I'll be happy to show you how to do it! Carol Reed, The Router Lady Ramona, CASECTION 1: Tools, Jigs, andChoosing a Router here's nothing worse than I spending money on a machine that frustrates you or, worse, buying one you never use. But how do you buy a router with all the options you need, and one that you look forward to taking off the shelf? To answer these questions, let’s start with some routing basics. The router itself consists of a high rpm motor with a sharp cutter installed at the end of its shaft. The motor is insert cd into a base that’s equipped with a baseplate, which in turn provides a reference surface for contacting the work. The router works best when the baseplate is attached to a jig or utilizes one to make safe, pre- dictable, and repeatable cuts. Rarely do we rout freehand, which means that routing is actually 95 percent setup and only 5 percent routing. Since making and using these jigs accurately and quickly is the secret to using the router like a pro, one of the key aspects to consider when choosing a router is how easily it works with the jigs you'll need. We'll talk more about jigs later, When router shopping, whether you're a beginner or not, it’s best to look for an all-purpose, do-every thing machine, But choosing a do-all router begs the question: which should you buy? There are three types: a fixed-base router, a plunge router, and a trim router. (See photo, opposite page.) Of the thre ‘weed out the trim router because it accommodates only % in. bits, which severely limits your routing capabili ties, Both fixed-base and plunge routers have limitations, but they also have unique features that make them desirable tools. In the next section, we'll ook at what features are available in differ- ent routers. Some features are impor tant, others you can live happily without. For a quick look at the most useful ones, check the list on page 9 Included are some improvements you can consider to make your router more user-friendly. Once you under- stand the elements that make a good router, go ahead and shop for brand. names. Simply make a list of the important features and sce which manufacturer can offer the most, and for the best price Get a Collection of Collets: Some manufacturers offer % in., in., % in,, and 8 mm collets. Why so many? You may rout for a lifetimeFeatures to Consider + Yand % in, collets standard, with % in. and 8 mm available + to iin, collet adapter available + fixed base, able to accept a plunge base and stripped-down bases + symmetrical screw-hole pattern in base + 10-10 12-amp variable-speed motor + 6 lbs. or loss in weight + flat top + metal depth-adjustment mating | surfaces Pick from three, From left to right trim router, fixed-base router, and plunge router Fig. 1: FIXED-BASE AND PLUNGE ROUTERS. FIXED BASE Variable-speed control Motor cap Switch Motor Bose ‘mechanism Collet and collet nut Baseplate PLUNGE Router lit accessory Motor Plunge locking ne mechanism Depth indicator Plunge post Depth rod Multt-position turret10 choose a oureR and never require more than a stan- dard % in. and a in. collet. But some jigs require a bit with an 8 mm shank, such as commercial dovetail jigs. Or you may want to save money and use end mills, which are available in many more lengths than regular straight bits and are about 30 percent. less expensive, End mills require odd- size collets, since they have the same diameter along their entire length. Although standard collets let you use iin. and in, end mills with no problem, acquiring a % in. coll allows you to use a % in. mill for mortising, a very common mortise width. Small % in, end mills can be used with an to in. adapter for inlay work, which can save on bits that break easily. Keeping a wide vari- ety of collet sizes on hand will pro- vide you with more options. Add to that the opportunity to save a few bucks, and you have a good deal! Consider Four Bases T admit I am an unabashed fan of fixed-based routers. I find them more stable than plunge routers, since their lower handle locations keep your hands closer to the work surface for more control. The fact is, in our quest for an all-purpose router, a fixed-based machine best meets the wide variety of applications and uses we look for in a router. The good news is that several manufacturers offer router motors that accept mul- tiple bases, including a fixed base, a plunge base, a D-handled base, and a stripped-down base designed for mounting in a router table. All four types are handy to have, and best of all, you now have the option of pur- chasing a combination package con taining a plunge and fixed base with the same router motor. (See top photo, opposite page.) the varying shank diameters of your bits. A fixed base locks the motor and bit to a specific depth of cut, and holds it in that fixed position while you make the cut. Setting the depth of cut with a fixed base is simply a matter of positioning the motor up or down in the base. However, you can't safely ‘change the depth of cut on the fly (while the motor is running), such as when trying to deepen a mortise. A plunge base does allow you to change the depth of cut with the motor running, This means you can start in the middle of a workpiece with the bit first clear of the wood, then plunge into the stock with the base firmly positioned. This action makes a plunge base an ideal mortis- ing platform, [More on mortising later A D-handled base is very handy because it provides an asymmetrical hold on the machine and usually Hold that bit securely. Get an assortment of collets and collet adapters that accept places a trigger-type on-off switch under your finger. An asymmetrical sip means that your hands are not directly opposed to one another as with a common fixed base, which allows more control over the move: ment of the router. The downside is that the projecting handle makes the router prone to tipping, But the fix is easy. You can stabilize the router by making or buying an inexpensive of set baseplate to replace the factory baseplate. Or you can forgo the D: handled base altogether and make an offset baseplate with its own built-in Dc-handle. You won't have the trigger type switch, but you'll have more to spend on router bits! A table base is a stripped down ver: sion of a standard fixed base—no handles, and often no depth-setting indicator. It's an inexpensive way to get a permanent setup for quickly attaching a motor to the bottom of ‘your router table or to ather shop jigsYou can make any router more useful by choosing one that accepts a vari- ety of bases, then stocking up on the specific bases you need. A number of ‘manufacturers price their bases so your can easily afford several. Best of all, with a variety of bases on hand you can permanently mount your favorite jigs to them for quick changeovers. Look for Baseplate Hole Symmetry Another feature to consider when. choosing a router is the symmetry of the screw-hole pattern for the screws that attach your router’s baseplate to its base. Symmetrical hole patterns make jig-making much easier, as shown in figure 2. Asymmetrical hole patterns make it necessary to keep track of top and bottom, and One router, four bases. Clockwise from let: D-handled base, plunge base, fixed base, and a stripped-down table base Fig. 2: BASEPLATE HOLE PATTERNS SYMMETRICAL ASSYMETRICAL - Baseplate — sit hole ach screw hola is the same distance from the bit hole ‘Screw holes are unevenly spaced from bit and all screw holes are equidistant from each other. hale and from each other12 ooosiNa A ROUTER left and right on the base during jig construction—a real pain. Symmetrical screw hole patterns make for a happy marriage of the base to the fig, Buy or Make Accessories Commercial router accessories, such as edge guides, extra collets, adapters and the like, are other important considerations when buying a router Now that you're an informed tool buyer, you will want to know where you can get these items. Are the accessories you want easily available? Few tool stores carry all the acces sories you need, simply because they're not expensive, high-volume items. Look in your phone book for power tool repair services and ask if they carry or can order accessories for you. Also check woodworking stores and mail-order catalogs, although mail-order catalogs often don't include this information. If you can't find what you need, get the manufacturer's catalog to determine which accessories are available; your local tool store often stocks catalog and gives them away for free. Another option is to check the man. uufacturer’s website for the informa: tion you need, or order a catal from them via the Internet or phone In addition to what the manufactur: ers make, there are some shop-made accessories you can add or replace on your router that will make it much more user-friendly. My favorite is to substitute the standard base-locking mechanism, typically a thumbscrew or small latch, with a ratcheting lever for more positive locking action, a8 shown in the photo, above. Another technique is to add contrast ing color to the onvoif switch. For example, I adhere tape to the “off side of the shroud on my router’s the tog switch as a reminder to ke Friendly fixes. User friondly improvements include adding tape to the “off” side of the power switch, replacing the standard base lock with a ratcheting lever, and using @ hook-and-loop strap to keep power cords under control. ale in the off position—especially when the router is unplugged. This small detail alerts me to make cer tain the router is “off,” preventing the router from unexpectedly coming to life when I plug in the power cord A third handy addition is to attach a hook-and-loop strap on the power cord. This way, I can wrap the cord into a secure loop, then nest the router in the loop on a shelf for tidy storage. Motor Size Counts Motor size is a key aspect of routers. A general-purpose router will have a 1/60 2 hp rating, However, don't put a lot of stock in that rating. There are many ways to measure horsepower, and unfortunately there's no unified measurement used by all manufacturers. This makes horsepower ratings suspect. However a number not to be trfled with is the amperage rating of the motor. So do what the pros do: Read the fine print on the motor plate. You're looking for 10 to 12 amps, which provides enough power for all your joinery needs. The good news is that every ‘manufacturer has routers in this amperage range. (See photo, below.) Check the amps. The best measure of ower is the amperage rating listed on the router's motor plate. Look for a tool in the 10 to 12 amps range. a‘Motors are available with fixed or variable speeds. Since we're looking for a machine that will give us the most options, a variable-speed motor offers more versatility. Changing the speed of a router allows you to choose a lower speed when using larger bits, and lets you rout a wider variety of materials such as plastics and non-ferrous metals. While this book covers wood as the media of choice, buying a router with a vari able-speed motor will give you the option of working with these alterna tive materials down the road. Watch Your Weight A good router in the 10 to 12. amp power range should weigh about 6 Ibs. This is an important control issue for first-time and occasional users. A router can be very intimi: dating, considering the torque of its high rpm and the loudness of its motor. Keeping the weight of your router in this moderate range will help lessen these challenging factors. In fact, many pros avoid trying to control a 15 Ib. hand-held router. In addition, some jigs simply can't accommodate a heavy router, such as a horizontal router-table setup {more on this later in the book Get a Flat Top It’s wise to choose a router with a flat head, or motor cap. With a flat top surface, a router can be placed firmly upside down on the bench with the sharp (and expensive) bit safely out of harm’s way while you're busy making another setup. It’s also much easier to set the bit depth ‘when your router stands securely on its head, freeing both of your hands for bit adjustment, as shown in the top photo, right. Plastic Versus Metal Many inexpensive routers have a plastic motor cover that engages a plastic base, This means that as you adjust the depth of the router bit you're turning plastic against plastic. ‘The result is sticking. This sticking gets worse when the motor warms. up and the plastic expands a little. In my classes, students find that no amount of lubrication overcomes this sticking. A sticky router makes small, finite depth adjustments frus- trating and time consuming— although it does provide an opportunity for you to learn new four-lettered words. So keep your vocabulary clean, your routing expe- rience successful and happy, and avoid routers with too much plastic “The Envelope, Please...” Remember, the idea is to acquire a do-everything, all-purpose machine. With this in mind, there is no “per~ fect” router on the market, since no one router currently has all of the features we've talked about. Realistically, none probably ever will What you will find are either com- mercially available accessor those you can make yourself, which will go a long way toward making your router the best for you. Some of those jigs and accessories are right here in this book, ready for you to make. Price can be a big factor in buying the right router, too. What should your budget be? Many first-time buy. ers mentally commit to spending about 75 percent of the amount needed for a quality, feature-rich router. The truth is you should prob ably plan to pay 25 to 35 percent more than you thought. To some, ‘cHoosine & ROUTER Flat tops are better. A router with a flat top sits securely upside down on the bench and lets you work more comfort ably when setting bit heights, thar's a lot of money. But it's the right amount. Spending less can seri: ously compromise the usability of the machine. How many times have ‘we regretted an inexpensive pur chase, when subsequent experience causes us to lament “Ii only I had known,..?” Consider carefully how a bit more money now could prevent headaches down the road, On the other hand, there are plenty of routers on the market that will keep a true tool-junkie’s wallet slim and trim, but the final truth is, when it comes to actually using routers, the ideal machine is the one most hauled off the shelf and put to work.14 Routes, Router Bits How to Aquire an All-Purpose, Must-Have Collection \ useful. But router bits are quite ifferent from drill bits. The vast majority are designed to cut from the side, rather than from the point, or cend, as regular drill bits do. This side. cutting action is a significant aspect of router bit design, as you'll see rust as a drill needs drill bits, a | needs router bits to be (i Spending wisely on router bits is an equally important aspect. Over the years in my Router Lady classes, I've seen too many students waste good money buying inexpensive router bits, The truth is, a little more money often buys disproportionately more value, But you don’t have to spend a fortune, The following infor- mation is meant to help you buy the right bits, at the right price. There are many important aspects and fea- tures you'll want to consider. You'll even find a list of specific bits I rec- ommend for joinery, and descriptions of why you need them. (For more on some unique joinery bits, see the chapter on Special Joints with Special Bits, page 114.) You'll also want to keep your bit collection well maintained, so some tips on care and use are in order. First, let's start by outlining the ‘major factors that separates good bits from those that disappoint.Carbide Only, Please 1 recommend purchasing only car- bide-tipped or solid carbide router bits. That's because the lifetime of a bit is determined by how long it will produce a good cut. High-speed steel {HSS| bits dull quickly, which pro- duces an inferior cut that requires more sanding and scraping to achieve a surface ready to finish. Keep in mind that some inexpensive carbide bits render poor cuts as well. ‘One way to think about steel versus carbide is to ask yourself what you ‘expect from a bit. I always take a survey when I teach a class, and one of my standard questions is, “How ‘many of you like sanding?” In all my years of asking, I can count the affir- ‘mative answers on the fingers of one hand. And what do you think the odds are that those few are fibbing? ‘The point is, it makes no sense to purchase bits that make you do something you don’t enjoy. Invest in carbide. It will last a Jong time, and your sanding time will happily diminish, Buy Quality Bits Now that you're buying carbide, you should look for quality bits. But how do you determine quality? My per- sonal measuring stick has been to use the brands that manufacturers use in industrial applications. Production router bits must get the best cut for the longest period of time and at the least expense. Since routers were used first in Europe extensively before they made the trip overseas, industrial bits made in and near Europe have proved their worth. ‘There are also North American com- panies that have been making great router bits for decades. But finding. out which manufacturers make qual- nouren ars 15 ‘Overall bit length (OA) | | Fillet ceduces ‘overall shank — length by Yin, cuter length a) BIT ANATOMY + Bit diameter ——+, Profile, the shape the bit cuts ity cutters takes a bit more sleuthing, ‘The first clue 1s that the company also makes saw blades, shaper bits, and other boring or sawing cutters. ‘The second clue is that they’ve been. in business for at least 20 years. Be careful, though, because some manu- facturers also make a secondary line of router bits they sell through build- ing centers, and the quality of these bits is not the same, With a little investigative work on the Internet, you can find out a com- pany's customers. If you discover that furniture-making companies ate buying the cutters you're researching, you can be sure these are quality bits. Failing that, ask professional shops where they buy. Another approach (and one that’s lots of fun) is to ask questions at various wood- ‘working forums on the Internet. Be ‘warned: You'll get lots of opinions, so qualify your queries by asking whose bits the opinion-giver actually uses, as opposed to what they've heard. Router bits catalogs are another source for information on router bits. ‘Many catalogs are masterpieces of information and can become your router bit textbooks, There are dozens available, because there are numerous brands of bits on the mar: ket. Collect as many catalogs as you can, and compare information Acquire them by searching the Internet, visiting woodworking stores, or calling manufacturers’ toll- free numbers. Not only will you find a wide selection of bits available, you'll also discover how bits are manulactured, why some are paint- ced, and what grade carbide is used and why, Some catalogs even suggest uses for their bits, helping you to find the right bit for the job.16 \\ Spiral bits Dovetail bits, including a piloted bit for a commerical dovetail jig Rabbeting bit sot Dado bit set A Good Starter Set The following list of specific bits will {get you up to speed for joinery work uickiy and efficiently + hin. two-flute, down-cutting spiral bit with % in. shank or % in. two- flute, lefthand end mill (requires collet adapter) ‘Lin. two-flute, up-cutting spiral bit with % in. shank or % in, two- flute, right-hand end mill % in, two-flute, up-cutting spiral bit with ¥ in. shank or % in. two- flute righthand end mill in. two-flute flush-trimming bit with % in. shank or % in, two-flute flush-trimming bit with negative shear angle and % in. shank ‘Ain. pattern bit with short cutter length and % in. shank or in two-flute flush-trimming bit with negative shear angle, ¥ in, shank, %in. bearing, and stop collar Yin, 14° dovetail bit with % shank + Yein. oF % In, roundover bit with bearing and % in. shank + 45° chamfering bit with bearing and Jin. shank in, mortising bit with short cut ter length and Jin. shank or % in, two-flute straight bit with nega- tive shear angle and ‘in. shank + Dado bit set for ply- ‘wood with % in. shanks Rabbeting bit set with ¥ in. shank and various bearings * Slot cutter bit set with in. shank and various bearings Mortising, or hinge, bit Flush trimming bit (above) and pattern bit (below) Roundover bit (loft) and chamfor bit (right) eo Slot cutter bit setMost importantly, all router bit cata logs list the overall length of the bit (OAL|, along with its cutter length (CL), shank diameter, and cutter diameter. (See fig. 1,] Many show you a bit’s profile and the resulting cut, often at full or actual size. This is Key information for making an informed purchase. Once you've educated yourself about bits and narrowed your focus to a particular type of bit and its vital statistics, check your catalogs yet again. The prices listed will quickly instruct you as to who the major players are. Be aware that the highest price docsn’t always reflect the best ‘quality. There are many quality brands, at various price points. Read a lot. Experiment a litle Shop for Shank Diameter ‘The shank of a router bit plays an important role, as it is the part held securely in the router. In almost all ‘cases, it's wise to choose a bit with a shank diameter of in, over in. {See top photo, right.) Sometimes you won't have this option (certain styles of bits, such as specific types of dovetail bits, are only made with small-diameter shanks}, but whenev- cer you can, buy bits with / in. shanks, There are several compelling reasons why, First, the shank circumference of a s in, bit presents four times the grip- ping surface as a / in. bit, so it’s more likely to stay where you put it, In addition, when you consider that router motors produce heat, you'll realize that a thicker shank has more ‘mass to absorb and dissipate it before it reaches the cutting edge, While friction from cutting alone produces its own heat, excess heat only helps to dull sharp edges. shank bits. Another point to consider is vibra tion, Router motors invariably make Jots of it, The larger mass of a big shank smoothes out vibration, which translates into a smoother cut and, again, less sanding, (Still no raised hands for sanding lovers?) Last, a heavier shank is less likely to deflect under cutting forces. Deflection is caused by a combina- tion of high rpms and the stress a cutter undergoes as it meets wood. Deflection produces an inferior cut, requiring more post-routing work to finish the surface. You guessed it More sanding again. ‘The good news is that ¥ in. bits gen. erally cost the same as Yin. bits with the same profile. Even if on occasion you have to cough up a lit- tle more cash for certain bits, you'll still be reimbursed with bonus time on your hands by avoiding all that tedious sanding, jager is better. When it comes to shank diameter, i's best to choose Yin. over J in. Cutter and Shank Length Count ‘The length of a router bit’s shank is an important factor, as well as its cutting length. Both should be con: sidered before plunking down your cash, Many of us think that longer bits with longer cutting profiles are the way to go, But long cutting lengths aren't always preferable to short ‘ones, Sometimes a longer profile unnecessary, and is simply wasteful But worse is a long cutter that fouls up a jig design and compromises effective routing action. A bit's cut: ting length should reflect the thick- ness of a jig or other material being used, and generally, shorter is better: Long cutters force you to use thicker jig materials, which in turn makes your jigs heavy, bulky, and awkward to use. The best approach is to tailor the length of a bit to a specific jig or routing procedure, which lets you cut v7 |joints in the most efficient and suc cessful manner possible. Shank length is another key aspect. ‘Always make sure the shank of every bit you use is long enough to com- pletely fill your routers collet. You might be surprised at how short some shanks are, especially with / in, bits designed for the shorter col- lets of trim routers. Above all, never pull a bit partially out of the collet to create a longer cutting edge or to reach the workpiece. The reason is simple: Reduced contact on the collet means reduced holding power, and a loose bit can spell disaster—a major safety concern, not just for you, but for your work as well. Another important safety item is to check that the shank of the bit and every part of your router’s collet, including its socket and the collet nut, are pris- tine clean, Its easy to calculate whether a bit will fit safely in your router by fac- toring its shank length and the length of your collet. Unfortunately, shank length is the one criterion tool catalogs don't list, You'll have to do the math yourself, which thankfully is a simple affair. To calculate a bit’s effective shank length from a catalog, find its overall length, then subtract its cutter length plus another / in. (to account for the fillet between the shank and the cutter). Now measure your collet length, add % in., and ‘you're left with the minimum shank length you can safely install in your router. Write this number on the front of your favorite router bit cata- log in big, bold letters. It’s a good number to have close at hand. ‘Types of Bits You'll Need In my shop, router bits fall into two categories: bits used for joinery and bits for decorative work. A basic starter collection of joinery bits listed on page 16, Save your money for decorative bits when a special project calls for them. While there are many types of bits to consider, the one I recommend avoiding is the multi-purpose bit. These bits are difficult to set up, and it's nearly impossible to repeat the same setup the next time you use them, Also, I generally pass on bits sold in sets, as they usually have only one or two truly useful bits ‘The remaining bits in the set are probably slow movers when sold individually, and you'll use them sel- dom—if at all. However, some sets are worth seeking, as Ill describe. Some of the most-used bits in my shop are spiral bits, a special type of straight bit with cutting edges that ‘wrap in a spiral fashion. Spiral bits cut with a shearing action, much like a skewed hand plane does as you angle it to the grain of a board. The result of these twisting cutting flutes is a cleaner, smoother cut that's easi- er on the router motor, especially when cuts get really heavy or deep. Standard straight bits are more com- mon fare in most shops, but they don’t leave a particularly smooth cut, However, some straight bits have flutes with a negative shear angle, and can rival the smooth cut of a spiral bit. I especially like this style {or flush-trimming bits. Not every ‘manufacturer carries them, but they're worth looking for. End mills are spiral cutters with two to six cutting flutes, and they're worth getting in addition to other types of straight bits. One compelline reason is they’te about 30 percent less expensive than regular router bits. They have only minor difer- ences in cutter geometry, and pro- duce a very acceptable cut. Be sure to purchase end mills with only two flutes, as mote flutes don’t leave enough room for waste removal in deep cuts, The important thing to Know about end mills is that their shank size equals the cutter's diame- ter. Since a bit’s shank must match. the router's collet, this fact limits the variety of end mills you can install in your router, However, you can save money by buying % in. end mills and installing a collet adapter into your router's collet. In the same vein, I buy a in. collet for my favorite % in, end mill mortising bit. There are a few router bit sets that are very useful, Dado sets are one, and come with bottom-cutting flutes (as well as side-cutting) that rout super clean dadoes in plywood. These special bits are slightly under- sized in diameter and produce nar- rower dadoes for matching the nominal thicknesses of plywood and other sheet goods. You can even buy dado cutters that are slightly over- sized for thicker materials, such as some of the plastic-coated sheet material used in kitchen and bath cabinets. ‘A rabbeting bit sct is also handy to have, and comes with a single cutter and a variety of different size bear- ings. This setup lets you mill rabbets in various widths, all with one cutter. ‘These sets are worth the money, since it’s like getting several bits for the price of one, Like a rabbet set, slot cutter sets also come with a variety of bearings, let- ting you rout slots in varying depths.In addition, some (more expensive} sets come with an assortment of thick and thin cutters as well as multiple bearings for milling slots of different thickness Take Good Care of ‘Your Bits Once you get the knack for buying good bits, you'll soon find your col- lection totals a sum far greater than the cost of your router. To give you an idea of how much, my own per- sonal bit collection is worth about 10 times the cost of one of my routers. and we're talking about common bits used for joinery. Specialty bits can be much more costly. The fact that your bit collection is valuable makes it worthwhile to han- dle and store bits in a safe manner. More bits are destroyed by improper handling than those that simply get dull. One of the best approaches is to keep your bits in a box when you're not using them—but not in an ordi- nary box. Make a box with a bottom, that’s 1// in. thick, and into it drill a series of holes in the diameters that fit the shanks of your bits. Or buy plastic bit holders and fit them in your router box. Make sure to space your holes carefully so cutting edges can’t touch each other, to prevent the brittle carbide from chipping, (See top photo, right.| Another storage system that has ‘worked well for me is a capped, plas: tic container with a shop-made ply: ‘wood insert. I use the container to take bits safely to jobs outside the shop. [See photo, right.) To keep bits from clunking into each other ot falling out when the container gets tipped over {it will, trust me), twist a cotton cloth into a “rope,” curl it around the bits, and snap on the lid. Bit box. The author's bit box incorporates a router cradle on top (see page 1) with two drawers below for storing bits and accessories. A third strategy is to make plywood. shelves from 1/4 in. thick panels ‘glued to / in, bottoms and fit them. under your bench, or in any accessi ble area of your shop. Make the shelves so they pull out completely for easy access, and like the bit box, drill a series of holes in them for your bits, It's an effective and inex- pensive solution for safe bit storage. [See photo, page 20.) Don't overlook cabinets as valuable storage space for bits. Like my wood working friend who made a special cabinet for his bits, I use the Router Bit Cabinet in this book (see page 150) for storing the larger bits in my arsenal Bits to go. Take your collection on the road by storing bits in holes drilled into @ plywood dise that fits inside a plastic con-Bit shelves under the bench. Keep bits right at your bench by building a set of pull-out shelves. A thin plywood bottom ‘extends beyond each shelf and slides into iin, grooves cut in the case. Once you've organized your bit col- lection, it’s important to handle your bits safely. For example, when a bit is in the router and you're occupied with setting up the next operation, it’s always best to stand the router on its top. This keeps the bit stand- ing straight up in the ait, away from potential harm such as wayward tools and other hard objects. Laying. the router on its side allows stuff to be pushed accidentally into the bit, which risks chipping, And, frankly, a sideways-parked bit puts you at risk for self-inflicted surgery to arms and hands Sharpen or Not? Many woodworkers wonder whether it makes sense to have router bits sharpened, or whether it’s feasible to sharpen bits themselves. The short answer is a qualified no. Let’s con- sider the facts Since 1 advocate carbide over steel, it’s important to realize that this brittle and extremely hard material can't be tackled with most home- shop sharpening tools. Trying to sharpen carbide yourself will only result in frustration—and the same dull bit you started with. While there are inexpensive diamond-impregnat ed honing devices that do a decent job of touching up a worn carbide edge, don't expect them to truly sharpen your bits. Besides, most bits can't be sharpened without adversely affecting their geometry. Flush-trim- ‘ming bits are a good example, since even a slight change in their cutting diameter, which occurs during the grinding of a worn edge, creates a cutting edge that doesn’t match the bearing diameter of the bit. The result is a bit that won't cut flush, and Ieaves a little smidgen of uncut ‘material right where you don’t want it. Angled bits, such as dovetail bits, also change dimension with sharpen- ing, and will no longer work with their respective dovetail jigs. Regular straight bits suffer from diminished diameters, too, and make simple joinery impractical. While spiral bits can be sharpened, their particular geometry makes it an economical nightmare, and the cost would most likely far exceed the bit’s value. ‘One exception is bits used expressly for decorative purposes. These types of bits can be sharpened and resharp- ened without complicating their sub- sequent use. However, the chant are these bits won't get near the use and wear as your joinery bits, and with proper storage they'll last years before they need sharpening, When you're ready to have a bit sharpened, the trick is to find some- one with the necessary skills to do the job correctly. In my experience, the folks who sharpen your scissors and knives know precious little about sharpening router bits. Saw blade sharpening services are a step in the right direction, and many offer router bit sharpening, But all too often I've found that a less-than- skilled individual believes the neces. sary skill is to be found in his sharpening machine—not in himself If you're hucky enough to find a local sharpening shop that specializes in sharpening, look for a talented indi- vidual who takes pride in his work. He might do wonders with your bits, Another option is to ask about sharpeners in one of the woodwork ing forums on the Internet or at your local woodworking guild—both are vast reservoirs of knowledge. When you do manage to find a reliable sharpening service, remember to pro- ceed with caution—and only with your decorative bits. Trash Damaged Bits If you chip a bit, consider it ready for the trash, and dispose of it accord- ingly. A chipped bit can’t be sharp- ened to yield the same cut as it did when new, and will leave tell-tale ridges in your work. Additionally, chipped bits can become dangerous, unbalanced chunks of metal, espe- cially when chipping is severe. Spinning an unbalanced bit at speeds a high as 23,000 rpm—typical of router motors—puts great stress on the bearings of the router, not to mention the risk to yourself. It’s best to toss damaged bits, and replace them with new ones.The Router Toolbox here are several essential tools I and accessories you'll need for routing beautiful joints. All are hand tools or jigs of one sort or another. Many are standard wood: working items, such as chisels or squares. Some you may not be famil- iar with; some you can make your self, All of them can be acquired over time, as you need them. ‘The first of these is the tool that holds all the other tools; namely, a portable toolbox. [own a dedicated box for all my routing tools, and I transport it wherever I'm working in the shop. Inside are all the little jigs, props, and tools I need for any type of routing work—all in one spot and right at my fingertips. While I’m routing {and making clouds of fine and annoying dust} I simply close the lid to keep the contents clean, and set the box nearby. ve found that the handiest size box is around 18 to 20 in, long, which is big enough for all your tool needs. Look for a separate bin at the top of the box, so you can sort smaller tools from the larger ones that go in the bottom of the box. Avoid toolboxes with plastic latches—unless you enjoy picking tools up off the floor. Latches with regular metal buckles work best and are reliable ‘The tools inside my toolbox are described on the following pages, arranged alphabetically. I've included the reasons why you should consider each for your kit. Most are inexpen: sive; some you may already have. Use the list as a reference for adding to your collection, especially if you're just starting out(22 Te ROUTER TOOLBOX Sources for these tools include hard- ware stores, woodworking stores, dis count/import tool stores, home centers, auto-supply stores, office supply stores, and even welding-sup ply stores. Don’t forget to check woodworking catalogs and the Internet Auger File An auger file used to be the tool of choice for sharpening auger drill bits. ‘Today the auger bit has been replaced {or the most part by brad-point drill bits. Happily, an auger file is the per- fect tool to touch up brad points and keep them sharp. This special file comes with “safe” (non-cutting) edges, allowing you to file right up to adjacent surfaces without damaging them, Another useful application for auger file is when squaring a com- bination square, since its slim profile lets you get into the narrow groove on the square’s head. (See Squaring a Square, page 25.) Bearings for Bits ‘My favorite guide for my router is the ball bearing S\ on a piloted router bit. S Eventually, you'll want to acquire more bearings in addi tion to the ones that came with your bits. Use them in conjunction with stop collars Stop Collars, page 31) for adding to router bit shanks to customize your bits for guided, or piloted, work It’s best to shop for bearings from router bit manufacturers, since they'll come shielded and designed for high-speed applications. Before you use a bit with a bearing, spin the bearing by hand. If it feels even slightly rough, replace it immediate: ly. It’s amazing how fast they can fly apart, ruining your eut. [You were ‘wearing your safety glasses, weren't you?) Get your bearings. Keep an assortment of router bearings and stop collars on hand ‘and secure them fo your bits for custom cuts File with this. The thin and tapered pro file of an auger file makes it great for sharpening drill bits or for filing in tight spots, such as the narrow groove on a square's head Bit Cleaner It’s important to keep your router bits clean, because dirty bits cut just like dull bits do: badly. The best approach for cleaning bits is to grab a bottle of bit cleaner. I used to regard this stuff as too expensive and inef fective. Then I learned that the oven cleaner I had been using was detri- ‘mental to the carbide on my expen- sive bits and blades, and besides, oven cleaner is noxious stuff to use in the first place. In contrast, bit cleaner is environmentally safe extremely effective, and pleasant to use, A small bottle lasts a long time. Tound mine in the bit manufactur. er’s catalog and have seen many brands at woodworking stores. Bit Gauge Luse this handy positioning jig to accurately set the bit height or its distance from the fens ‘The Incra gauge shown here is my favorite, but there are several posi: tioning devices on the market that work in similar fashion, I like the fact that my gauge is plastic, which ‘means it can’t harm the fragile car bide on my bits. One of the appeal: ing attributes of a bit gauge is its positional settings in 32nds of an inch. This lets you make accurate,repeatable setups and cuts, ‘Thankfully, these plastic gauges are so inexpensive that I couldn't justify the time it would take to make a similar gauge from wood. Box Wrenches Stackable router bits, like reversible cope-and-stick bits, slot cutters, and other specialty bits, often use a hex nut at the end of their shafts to secure the cutters, The best way to remove these nuts is with a box wrench, which has a closed jaw that won't slip and possibly damage the cutting edge. A set consisting of 7, %, and % in, will let you tackle most bits. For more versatility, I use a set of combination wrenches, which have a box end at one end and ‘open jaws on the opposite end for reaching the odd, hard- to-get nut, “Ww ROUTER ToOLwOK 23 Brass and Nylon Brushes ‘These small brushes are perfect for cleaning the metal parts on routers and router bits. Their relatively soft bristles won't harm router compo- nents, carbide, or registration sur: faces. First use bit cleaner on the item you want to clean (see Bit Cleaner, opposite page}, let the dirty part soak for a few minutes, and then scrub it with a brass or nylon brush for quick, effective cleaning. Wipe off the dissolved dirt with a clean cloth and you're back in business. Setting bits. A commercial bit gauge and ‘a small hardwood block make setting bit heights and depths reliable and accurate, Wrench combo. A wide variety of Hl wrenches and hex keys come in handy | for loosening and tightening al sorts of routor gear.co Butcher Knife Every kitchen has old butcher knives no longer in everyday use. Put one in your toolbox to use as a cutting wedge to release work that's been held together with hot glue. (See The Secret of Hot Glue, page 65.} Make a scabbard to protect yourself from the sharp edge. Calculator Dividing and multiplying numbers, especially fractions, doesn't come easily to many of us. An electronic calculator is the answer. My favorite type can handle fractions and is solar powered. Be sure to let it out of your toolbox from time to time to catch some rays, which keeps it charged and ready to go. Chisel A sharp % in. bench chisel is handy for all sorts of shop work. It’s partic: ularly useful hanging out in your toolbox, ready for rounding the cor- ners of Square tenons, squaring the rounded end of a routed rabbet, or Removing glue. An old butcher's knife lets you separate parts held with hot glue and a scraper (held in a bowed position ina shop-made block) removes leftover residue, ct Remove dirt, rust, pitch, and keep your bits, collets, and other metal accessories clean by using spray-on bit cleaner, brase and nylon brushes, fine-grit sandpaper, and paste wax, for other small fitting cuts. I keep mine in a separate bin at the top of my toolbox where it lives safe and sharp, Clamps The old adage “Ain't no such thing as too many clamps" is remarkably true, especially when it comes to working with the router. C-clamps, quick-action clamps, wooden hand- screws, and other small clamps do a good job of grasping and positioning fences, securing hold downs, and temporarily fastening workpieces, ‘The handiest are the one-handed variety, which I use extensively for routing operations. In addition to the one-handed clamp, handsctews are particularly useful, and come in a variety of jaw lengths, Tuse the smaller variety to fine-tune bit height when using my horizontal router table setup |see page 40), as well as for other setup tasks, These sometimes confounding wooden clamps feature jaws that quickly move into unparalleled alignment— to! While moving the jaws out of parallel is handy for grasping tapered work, the secret to keeping the jaws parallel or at a steady angle is sim: ple, First, position the jaws in the plane you want (tapered or parallel to cach other), then grab the handle closest to the clamping end with onehand and, while keeping that hand stationary, rotate the other handle around the stationary hand. It may sounds complex, but your hands will quickly get the knack. Combination Square This is a specific type of square with a ruled blade and a sliding head. A knurled brass nut loosens the blade and allows you to slide it to an exact dimension in relation to the head This feature lets you take measure- ments directly from the work, or you can lay out and mark work without reaching for a tape measure or ruler, The most useful are 6 and 12 in. models, where the number refers to the length of the blade. Take heart: you don’t have to spend a fortune on a decent combination square. I buy inexpensive squares from discounvimport tool stores, well aware that they don’t come particularly square, then I square them myself back at the shop. (See Squaring a Square, right.) Craft Knife When marking has to be absolutely precise, nothing beats a knife. I find the blade on a penknife is generally too thick, while the razor-thin and pointed blade on a craft knife is super sharp and replaceable. If you lose the cap, poke the blade into a dry wine cork when storing it in your toolbox. Squaring a Square ‘Squares are often the most “assumed” tool in the shop. We assume them to be square, and often they're not, even when purchased new. Yet there is no ‘more vital too! in the shop than a reliable square. Some years ago a timber framer showed me how to square a combination square, and I've never looked back. The process is simple and requires few tools, as shown in the drawing. Once you have a truly square square, you can use it to check all the other squares in your shop. Gap at end of blade This side high Drafting triangle Step 2: Remove the Blade and File the Head Blade slot _- File the bottom of the slot on the offending high side with the edge of the fil Se ut and hook Step 3: Test the Square File and test ‘square until its tightly against the triangle. ~~ No gaps along blade. Success!oye Measu and metal and plastic dial calipers. Dial Calipers There are two types of dial calipers I use on a regular basis to take all sorts of precise measurements. One is made from a durable plastic and has fractional and metric markings, However, the one I use most for routing is a machinist’s dial caliper, which measures in thousandths of an inch. It’s an indispensable device for tuning and setting up tools, or for measuring stock when making fine adjustments, The internal jaws measure inside areas, such mortise lengths. The external jaws measure outside work, such as router bit shank diameters or the thickness of tenons. A bar at the end of the tool extends to measure depth, such as the depth of mortises or other holes, (See fig, 2.] A machinist’s dial caliper with accuracy. Important measuring tools include a calculator, a tape measure, 6 and 12 in, steel rules, a centering rule, Fig. 1: READING MACHINIST’S DIAL CALIPERS. Sliding jaw Dial Clamping screw Depth gauge Main scale Internal jows Bezel lock Thumbwhoel Upper scale External jaws Sling jaw Lower seale In this example, the calipers show 1.434 in, between the jaws. To get this measurement, ‘start by reading the number on the upper main scale, whichis the digit in front of the ‘decimal point. Now read the number on the lower main seale to get the first number | after the decimal point. Finally, read the dial to get the last two numbers. =Square and jer. Combination squares let you check for square as well as measure lengths. A large drafting triangle and an adjustable triangle allow you to measure and set up fixed or intermediate angles. doesn't have to be expensive, and a 6 in. model is the most useful in the shop. I get mine at discountimporter tool stores, Dial calipers take a litte getting used to. The trick is to learn how to use them, and how to read them, You can rotate the thumbwheel to open or close the sliding jaws for measur ing inside or outside areas. This action simultaneously extends the depth gauge, which lets you measure into holes by inserting the gauge into the crevice while keeping the end of the tool on the work surface, Measurements are expressed in deci- mals to three places, or in thou- sandths of an inch. Once you've taken a reading for a particular setup with the calipers, you use a gauge, such as playing cards (see Playing Cards, page 29) or a feeler gauge (see Feeler Gauge, this pagel, to correct the setting. This process is precise and allows you to fine-tune your setups very accurately with little chance of mistakes. You'll see plenty of setups in the book showing where to use this method of measuring, Drafting Triangle A trip to the office- or art-supply store will yield plastic drafting trian- sles—highly accurate and very inex- pensive tools for joinery work. 1 recommend getting two, a large 45°/45%/90" triangle (or a 30°/60°190° triangle) and an § in. adjustable tri- angle. You'll wonder how you ever got along without them. Use the 90745°/45° triangle to square squares, set saw blades square or to a perfect 45° angle, check for perpendicular layout, confirm the position of jigs, or any of the gazil- lion things that need squaring or THE ROUTER TOOLBOX 27 mitering in the shop. A triangle with 30° and 60° angles will increase your measuring abilities. The adjustable triangle helps you determine those elusive 22/° angles needed for octagons, as well as other finite angles. Feeler Gauge Sometimes called a blade gauge, this measuring tool consists of a set of super-thin metal fingers in graduated thicknesses. Individual fingers or pairs of fingers can be used to meas- ure very fine settings and adjust: ments on jigs, such as when making, dovetails and box joints. Like hex keys, feeler gauges are available in folding sets. The most useful for routing is a 26-blade set that starts at an incredibly thin 0.0015 in, and goes to 0.025 in. thick, You'll find them at auto parts stores. Glue Gun A glue gun and a supply of hot-glue sticks are just the ticket for quickly ‘mounting work to jigs and other fix- tures (see The Secret of Hot Glue, page 65). Glue and slice. A ¥ in. chisel is handy | {or all sorts of quick paring jobs; protect | the sharp edge with a chisel guard. A hot alue gun is great for temporarily tacking work together.28 Hex Keys When Twas a kid, these were called Allen wrenches, but today most sup pliers call them hex keys for their six-sided shape. Hex keys are useful for all sorts of faste \g jobs that involve hex serews or bolts, The set screws in stop collars [see page 31) and the cap screws in piloted router bits can only be adjusted with hex keys, and often these screws are met- rie. Common sizes to get are 1.5 tom, 2.5 mon, 3:mm, and Ys in.— tiny ones to be sure. Because of these small sizes, I prefer to buy folding sets rather than individual keys. The sets are compact, provide plenty of leverage for each Key, and there's a bonus: your smallest keys are neatly contained, where you'll never lose them, This is another jem found ct the summ'parts store Inlay Kit An inlay kit is similar to template guide bushings (see page 32) and consists of a guide that screws into the center hole of a router’s base: plate for inlay work. A removeable bushing grips the collar of the guide when routing the mortise for the inlay. You then remove the bushing to rout the inlay. Some inlay kits are made of brass, which won't harm the in, steel or carbide bit that pokes through the guide Paste Wax Ordinary furniture paste wax is the best lubricant for woodworking tools in the shop, It’s available every where—even at the grocery store—and, in addition to Driving and tapping. Combination screwdrivers (let) allow you to drive an assortment of screw types, while film canisters hold your specialty screws. A tap and the appropriate sized drill bit (right let you cut threads in wood and other materials. keeping router plunge posts, base. plates, and other paraphernalia well lubricated, you can use it to finish your projects, Pencils Of course, everyone knows the value of pencils for marking your work, so why mention them? I consider pen- cils important because good joinery is dependent on careful marking and layout, and the more accurate your mark, the better. An eraser comes in handy for revisions. Keep your pen- cils sharp, or try mechanical pencils with 0.5 mm thick leads that never need sharpening. Keep sever: hand, ready to go. I swear they evap. orate before my very ey[We ROUTER TOOLBOX 29 Permanent Markers Buy two markers with fine in black and one in red. They're ‘great for permanently marking infor- mation right on your jigs, and the contrasting colors make different lev- cls of information really stand out. Playing Cards You probably have an ordinary deck of playing cards lying around the house. Now's the time to devote a pack to the shop. Did you know that Federal regulations require them to be 0.010 in, thick? This is a useful fact to know. After you've measured your setup or workpiece with a machinist’s dial calipers (see page 26], you can divide that measurement by 10, and you'll have the number of cards you need to make up that measurement If there's a remainder, simply add the correct thickness of feeler gauge, and then make your adjustment. One tip: If you're liberating a used deck from the house, make sure to trim the frayed edges to keep your measure: Gauges, punches, cards, and bushings. Tomplate and inlay guides (left) are great {or routing patterns and inlays. Transfer punches (right) help with laying out parts ‘A feeler gauge (right, foreground) and an ordinary deck of cards are indispensible ‘when making ultrafine measurements, Router Wrenches Several manufacturers supply decent metal that’s too hard for filing). Wrap ‘ments accurate wrenches with their routers, Others the thin handles in electrical tape to ive you wrenches made from give them a better grip, or slip rubber Ring Pliers stamped steel. They're often sharp at _ or plastic tubing over the handle. : the edges; fix them by filing them Another option is to replace a cheap Some router collets have a retaining smooth when possible |some wrench with a regular open-ended ring, sometimes referred to as @ snap ring, which holds the nut on the col let. To clean the collet, you'll have to remove the ring, which is where retaining ring pliers come in. There ties: inside and outside pliers, You'll need external retain- ing ring pliers, although many auto parts stores carry combina~ tion pliers, providing you with both types in one tool wrenches are made from heat-treated wrench, are two var Clever clamps. One-handed quick- ‘clamps are great when your other hand is busy. A wooden handscrew grips securely and can be adjusted for grasping tapered work30 Protect your eyes and ears. High-quality, comfortable earmuffs will protect your hearing; safety glasses keep your vision intact. Be advised that some routers use metric wrenches, and telling the dif- ference between these and standard Imperial wrenches can be trouble- some. To keep your sanity and your collection in good order, try painting all your metric wrenches with a stripe of red Safety Gear Safety is paramount in routing, and safety gear should be a standard part of your toolkit. High router rpms and decibel levels present real hazards to the eyes and the ears, This makes safety glasses and ear protection a must. Unlike some woodworkers, most met- alworkers I know suffer no delusions about the threat of flying objects to their eyes, which is why you should shop at a welding-supply store for a variety of great safety glasses in many styles and fits. They'll work equally well for woodworking. Your ears are as precious as your ‘making hearing protection just as important. Consider that routers are one of the loudest tools in the workshop, then add the fact that many of us keep our heads up close to watch bit action, and it’s clear that you'll need serious ear protec tion. I suggest you shop for hearing muffs that have the highest decibel rating, Check with a gun shop for some of the highest-rated muffs Take the time to find comfortable seat. Like you, I can offer an endless stream of excuses for not wearing uncomfortable safety glasses and hearing muffs, but I quickly don the necessary gear when it fits well. Sandpaper Most of us keep an assortment of sandpaper in the shop. For router work, be sure to keep some 600-grit, silicon-carbide sandpaper on hand, also known as wedry sandpaper: Use it to control the fine rust that may form on unused collets, espe: cially if you live in a humid climate. Cut a sheet into quarters, fold the quarter into thirds, and rub lightly to remove surface rust without affecting the fit Scraper A scraper is an important tool for many woodworking applications, but the reason it's in the toolbox is for removing hot glue residue. Make or buy a holder for it to make it easier to use Screwdrivers T keep two combination screwdriver sets in my toolbox. I like combina tion screwdrivers because they're compact and offer multiple sizes in one package. The first set has Phillips-head drivers, and the second has Torx, or star, drivers. Both types are good to have on hand ‘My Phillips drivers get the most use Even though my particular set comes with straight blades for standard slot Fine marks. Use a mechanical pencil or craft knife for accurate lines on your work. Red and black permanent markers let you label your tools and jigs clearly and legibly.ted screws, I almost never use them. Ie’s too casy to slip on a slotted serew's head, ruining the screw as well as the driver. Instead, I custom- arily replace all slotted screws with Phillips screws. The reason is sim- ple: Phillips screws provide a more positive purchase. While many of my students initially hate Phillips serews, citing slippage and difficulty in driving them, the truth is that they're guilty of using the wrong size driver. If you experiment, you'll find that often a smaller driver works bet ter than the big one in your hand. For example, a “6 or °8 Phillips screw requires a “2 driver, Smaller screws, such as a *5 or “4, work best with a "1 driver. ‘The star driver is a necessary “evil” because manufacturers have recently been using star screws on their base~ plates and in other areas on the routers and accessories. A star screw is similar to a Phillips screw, except it has additional edges against which a screwdriver can bite. This makes them even easier to drive. However, while star serews may be superior in design, I confess that I replace them regularly with Phillips screws, purely in an effort to keep continuity in my shop. Be warned: Don't try to remove a star screw with a Phillips diver, or it will bugger the head. Small Hardwood Block ‘Make a ¥x 1 x2 in. maple or birch block and keep it on hand for all sorts of setup checks. Use the block to gauge router bit heights, so you can see directly how ‘much material you're about to remove. Another method is use Pliers for routers. A pair of external retaining ring pliers is just the ticket for removing the ring on your router's collet to allow for easy cleaning the block as an aid when bringing a bit flush with a work surface or to a piece of hardware. Soft Hammer There are certainly many ways to make adjustments, but let's face it, every so often we reach for a ham- mer to get the job done. Better than a standard carpenter’s metal ham- mer is a soft hammer, which is any hammer that has a soft face on its head, [ especially like small, plastic deadblows. Surprisingly, a deadblow can deliver small, positive taps. It's my adjustment tool of choice when I need focused force without fear of damage to the part I'm hitting, Special Screws Like sandpaper, you're sure to have serews in the shop. But routers require special screws for mounting jigs and other accessories to their bases. Shop for Phillips flat-head machine screws, in the unplated variety. Avoid plated screws; the plat ing peels off and they rust. I keep several lengths of machine screws in 35-mm film canisters, including metric varieties, Make sure to buy them in extra long lengths so you can fasten jigs that require longer mounting screws. I wrap red tape around my metric screw canisters. Know why? The color matches the red marks on my metric router ‘wrenches Steel Rules ‘There are three rules I find handiest. The first is the shirt-pocket variety that’s 6 in. long and measures in Gdths of an inch. Of course, I need a ‘magnifying glass to read the darn thing, but it’s very precise. The sec ond rule is 12 in. long and measures in L6ths of an inch. The third rule is centering rule. This last one could not do without. Marking stock often requires you to find the center, and a centering rule makes it a snap to find, The best kind of rulers have ‘measurements marked from the very ends of the rule, with no dead space. This feature allows you to butt the rule directly against a part for an exact reading. Stop Collars Stop collars are just the ticket for keeping a bearing on the shank of small-diameter bits for piloted work. Keep in mind that sometimes you'll need to position a bit and its collar adjacent to the edge of a jig that the bearing is following, If the set screw in the collar is too long, it will gouge or destroy the surface of the When necessary, replace the screws in your stop collars with shorter set screws from your local hardware store, a32 deadblow is even better when you Tape Measure Here's a tool many of us take for granted. Check yours. It may be ready for retirement if the hooked tip is bent, the markings are rubbed off the edges, or it sports kinks in the tape. [use a tape measure for stock preparation, and consider it a rough ‘measurement tool compared to my metal rules, But its an indispensable tool that needs to be as accurate as possible Taps You'll need a %-20 tap for cutting threads in wood and plastic for some of the jigs in the book, plus a ‘7 drill bit to drill the necessary clearance holes for the tap. Although taps are designed for threading metal, you'll find they work great in hard or dense materials like hardwoods and plas ties. You can buy taps as a set, with, 1m. An ordinary claw hammer is useful in the shop, and a plastic sed a forceful blow that won't mar your work the appropriate drill bit matched to a specific tap. It doesn't hurt to keep a selection of different taps on hand for other general tapping jobs in the ‘woodshop. Template Guide Bushings These circular metal guides are avail: able in different diameters and fasten to your router's baseplate. Used in conjunction with a straight bit, they follow shop-made templates, or pat terns, for duplicating parts, I hesitate to add these to the tool list because I prefer using bearing-guided router bits to achieve the same results with fewer headaches, Using template guide bushings require that you cal- culate the necessary offset between, the bushing and the bit that fits inside it. This is a lot more complex than the direct reading you get from the bearing on a router bit that matches the bit's profile. While my template guides have migrated from my router toolbox to the back of the tool drawer, the com- mon dovetail jig still requires them. Usually the jig includes the neces- sary bushing, but you'll have to acquire these accessories if your dovetail jig is missing one or your bushing is worn out or abused. Although you can certainly buy an entire kit, I suggest getting only the bushing you need. Be aware that some router manufacturers have a proprietary system and require that you use their specific template guides, However, adapters ate avail- able that let you use inexpensive, more easily available guides in a wider variety of sizes. If you do us these guides, one manufacturer offers 4 centering cone, an accessory that helps you align the guide accurately to the center of your router’s collet. Transfer Punches Tt was a memorable day when a retired machinist introduced me to transfer punches, You'll find numer- ous references to them in the book. Transfer punches are most common. ly used for finding the center of an existing hole to transfer to another surface, such as when locating holes for screws. I find them indispensable in jig making, and you will, too. These punches have pointed ends, and are about 5 in, long. You can buy them in sets graduating in 64ths from %: to % in, You'll find them at the discounvimport tool store or from machinist’s suppliers.iggery is a term coined just for this book, I use it to describe the art of designing and using jigs and fixtures. This is an important aspect of router work because, for the most part, there isn't a built-in guide sys- tem in a router. Therefore, learning to build and use jigs is essential for suc cessful and easy routing, many types of jigs, each allowing you There are to execute specific cuts with your router, For example, a dovetail jig guides a dovetail bit in a predeter mined path, so you can rout dovetails that fit precisely. Another type of jig is the router table, which allows you to rout pieces too small to handle with a hand-held router. There are many more. You'll find them in this chapter, and you'll see them used throughout the book, Some you can build quickly, some require more effort to make Some are available as commercial kits or as complet igs you can buy The premise of jigs is to confine the travel and path of the router without the possibility of screwing up. A tall order? Not really. Good jigs provide repeatability, predictability, safety, and accuracy, These four attributes are worth looking for, regardless of sce 33 ‘whether you purchase a jig, build one from someone else’s plans, or design and build your own, ‘The jigs presented here fill that order quite nicely. They've been used for a long time in my shop, have been test ced by students in my classes, ai nnerally proven themselves to be very useful. So go ahead and take a ook, make or buy those you need, and enjoy using them. They'll certain ly make your router mu have sasier 10 ease the accuracy of your joinery cuts, and make the © routing process more fun.Base Marker BITS AND TOOLS + hin, dell Bit + countersink bit + in, dowel centers, as needed + hin, straight bit saw! + center punch + transfer punch, as needed + % in, socket and handle + router with % in. collet and its various bases MATERIALS AND HARDWARE + clear acrylic sheet, % in. thick, cut to square and equal to the diameter of your router's base- plate Base Marker This is the first jig you should make, since it helps you make every base- plate-type jig that mounts to your router's base. The base marker con- sists of a clear plastic plate with pointed dowel centers protruding from one side. You use it to mark the loca- tion of the bit hole and the screw holes on a jig’s baseplate in order 10 fasten the plate to your router. This is, handy, because few router bases have a symmetrical screw-hole pattern around the bit hole, The base marker lets you mount a baseplate so it’s per fectly concentric with the bit for accu- rate cuts, and lets you orient the router to the plate so handles, switch: cs, and the like are in the most con- venient spot. If you have a lifting device on your plunge base, you can Fig. 1: BASE MARKER (Cut 2 in. clear plastic to square and ‘equal to diameter of router's baseplate. Drill holes through base for dowel centers, ‘Mark information on base with permanent pen, ‘Wein. dowel center Position opposite side onto ‘Scratch crosshairs with aw! the jig you wish to mark. onto opposite side of base.mark the location of the required adjuster hole as well Since router bases and baseplates differ from brand to brand—even fixed and plunge bases from the same manuifac- turer can be different—you'll want a base marker for every router base that you plan to use with a baseplate-type jig, such as your router table MAKE THE MARKER Refer to figure 1 and cut the marker blank to size. (See Working with Plastic, page 36,] Remember to keep the router ‘unplugged throughout this process, and leave the protective paper on the plastic until directed to remove it. On the unprinted paper side of the plastic blank, mark a label, such as router side.” This is very important, “Tape tells the story. Stick squares of tape on your router's baseplate and base as it tells you which side corresponds to the router base. On the printed paper side, draw diagonals to find the center. Use a square and a sharp awl to scratch perpendicular lines into the plastic and through the center mark, as shown, Use a center punch to tap a dimple into the center, and drill a / in, hole through the mark. Lightly chamfer each side of the hole using a countersink bit on the drill press, ‘The next step, just for insurance, is to stick small squares of masking tape next to the mounting holes on your router’s baseplate and base. This ensures you know precisely which. holes are mounting holes, since some routers have multiple holes for other purposes, as shown in the photo, below. Once you've marked the mounting holes, remove the baseplate and set it aside. aecery 38 Clamp and punch. With the router clamped to the base marker in the correct orientation, use e transfer punch to locate the sorew holes. Insert a Yin, straight bit into the router and tighten it by hand. Now place the router on the “router” side of the marker blank and insert the bit into its center hole. Rotate the router until its handles are parallel with one of the blank’s crosshairs, and clamp the assembly to the bench. Use a transfer punch through each hole in the router base to tap a dimple in the blank, (See photo, above.) If your router has stopped screw holes that aren't accessible from above, use paper template instead. If you want to mark an adjuster hole location om the marker for a routerlifting device, now is the time to do ie by using the tem plate that came with the device ‘Once you've marked the hole loca: tions, unclamp the assembly, draw a around each dimple (tired eyes mine appreciate this conven and drill a % in. hole through lank at each dimpleWorking with Plastic Acrylic sheets that you buy come covered on each face with a protective sheet of paper. One side has printing on it; the other side is usually plain. When working with plas tic, always leave the paper on both sides until all the milling is done. The following procedures work with most plastics, but experimenting in scrap is always useful You can use the same woodworking tools that you use to cut wood to saw and shape plastic, such as saw blades, drill bits, and router bits. When cutting sheets on the table ‘saw, use a sharp carbide-tipped blade and raise the blade so its gullets are above the work. (See photo, right.) Rabbeting and dadoing can be done on the table saw or with a router. Keep in mind that plastic sawdust is very sharp, so be sure to wear eye protection and long sleeves. ‘To drill acrylic, its best to use regular HSS (high-speed steel) drill bits. For large holes, use a spade bit with sharp spurs, and drill from both sides of the stock. Regular spade bits will cause most plastics to melt and “weld” themselves to the bit. Before driling, use a center punch (or transfer punch to make a dimple at the hole location. Use the drill press for drilling—not a hand drill—and place the fresh area of a scrap board under the plastic, then Tapping for screws. Cutting threads in plastic is easy if you instal @ tap in @ drill and slowly rotate the cutter through the work Ripping on the saw. An ordinary carbide-tipped blade works fine for sawing plastic sheets to size. Keep the protec- tive paper on until all your machining is done. clamp the assembly to the drill press table. If you don’t ‘back up the workpiece in this manner, you're likely to cre- ate a star-shaped fracture on the back side of the hole. Once you've drilled the hole, chamfer both sides lightly to discourage future fracturing and to aid in inserting dowel centers, steel pins, taps, and the like. To tap a hole in plastic, drill the correct size hole and slightly chamfer both sides. | install the tap in my cordless dril, place the tap in the hole, and slowly drive it through (See photo, left) Once the tap exits the hole, stop and clean the plastic waste off its threads with an awl or stiff brush. Then reverse the drill and slowly back the cleaned tap out of the hole. This technique avoids drawing waste back into the hole, which quickly ruins threads. To make edges safe and smooth, round all corners and chamfer or round over every edge. Router bits, files, and sandpaper work great for this. To make your edges look clean and professional, use a scraper to remove saw ‘marks, then sand in successive grits from 120 through 220-grit using a sanding block. The finished edges won't be totally clear, but they'll look and fee! great.‘Tap in the centers. Use a Jin. nut river to hold the dowel centers as you ‘2p them into the marker. Now peel off the sheet of printed paper (your crosshairs are on this side), stand the router on its head, and position the opposite “router” side of the blank atop the router base, aligning the holes in the blank with the holes in the router. Use a perma ent pen to mark an “H” onto the marker blank at the end of each crosshair that corresponds to the router's handle locations. (Luckily, H’ is one of those letters that looks the same when viewed upside down.| ‘Next, peel off the paper from the “router” side of the blank and transfer the “router side” label that you previ- ously wrote onto the plastic, Place the router and the blank next to each other on the bench, and align the router han- dles with their respective marks. Mark the router's switch and base or plunge lock locations onto the blank and label the make, model, and type of base of the router, In addition, measure the router's baseplate screw diameters with a dial caliper, choose the next bit up, and mark this drilling infor- mation right on the blank, Mark the new baseplate. Using a soft hammer, tap over each dowel center to mark ‘the new jig's baseplate for screw holes. ‘To complete the marker, insert dowel centers in all the holes from the crosshair side of the blank, including the center hole. Be warned: Installing the centers ean be tricky. To make the job go smoothly, I use a Ya in. socket ina in, nut driver to hold each dowel center straight, and I tap the handle with a small hammer, as shown in the top photo, left. Fa dowel center is loose, drip one drop of acetone (nail polish remover also works) into the hole and onto the dowel center from the “router” side of the blank, This melts the plastic and “elds” the center in place USING THE MARKER Start by marking the bit hole location on the baseplate you wish to attach to your router. Position the base marker on the baseplate with the tip of the center dowel on the mark, Rotate the base marker to locate the router's switch, handles, and lock at the most convenient position. Holding the base ‘marker firmly in position, tap over each dowel center to make dimples in the baseplate, as shown in the photo, above Remove the marker and drill the appropriate size screw holes through the baseplate at your marks, and countersink the holes. Finish by drilling the bit hole on the center ‘mark. A good rule of thumb is to make the bit hole 25 percent larger than the largest bit you'll be using, 738 Router Table A router table is one of the first jigs ‘woodworkers buy or make for their router, and for good reason, Router tables are great for routing stock that’s too small or too skinny to support the weight and size of a hand-held router. And router tables make all sorts of general routing operations easier and more accurate, Luckily, making your own router table isnt all cha difficult, The key isto inake its top surface flat—and have i stay flat, Another goal iso make sure there’s no obstruction on the tabletop that snags work. This is a common problem with router tables that rely on an insert from which the router hangs, because the insert often doesn’t stay flush with the surrounding table. The result is irregular cuts and poor work. My table avoids these problems, and adds some additional and appeal- The router table shown in figure 2. has a % in. thick clear acrylic top, or plate, screwed to its base. You hang your router from the plate by sere through the top and into the router's base. I make three of these plates with small, medium, and large bit holes to accommodate different size bits. Then 1 simply install the plate that best fits the bit I'm using, A good fence is another important ele ment. The fence here is sturdy, square, flat, and straight. It incorpo rates a pivoting design that makes it fast and accurate to align with the bit. A groove in the fence lets you install commercial featherboards for support: ing work, Consider the fence expend able if necessary, and make a new one when the old one gets worn or chewed up by bits. Or make several if you ance around the bit need zero cl ‘Simple but very effective. Built for precise cuts, the author's router table has a plas. tic top secured to a high-quality plywood base. A unique pivoting fence makes bit set tings a breeze, Great upside down. With its router removed, the same table becomes a mini work bench for hand-held routing by flipping it ever and bolting it to @ low workstand.FIG. 2: ROUTER TABLE Acrylic top Make several with diferent se holes. - Lock knob : @ _— Groove fits commercial Cutouts in top and ai! — \, Sr ft ‘accommodate horizontal router setup. > Hang router from screws installed through top. Dadoes provide storage for — Side ‘commercial featherboards. Holes in bottom and identical “ allow you to bolt router table to Flip table over and use bottom for cutting ‘workstand or low bench. box joints or as worksurface for hane-held routing operations.40 A unique feature of this router table is its “twin” top. While most routing takes place on the acrylic top, you can flip the whole table over and use the plywood bottom as a second “top’ for routing box joints. Special holes and grooves in this second top accom. modate a box joint jig for cutting box joints. [See page 46.) Best ofall the long plywood surface is a handy ‘work platform for holding stock when routing with a hand-held router. (See bottom photo, page 38. Finally, an attribute I consider a must is a horizontal table setup that quickly mounts to the table for horizontal rout ing. This setup orients the router and its bit parallel to the tabletop, allow- ing you to make cuts with the work held flat on the table instead of pre- cariously on edge. (See photos, above.| Routing horizontal. Safer cut this horizontal setup, which aligns the bit parallel to the table. Bit height adjustment is a simple matter of loosening a lock knob on the back of the plate and pivoting the plate up or down (inset) are possible with You have the option of making all of the parts for this router table, which I think is preferable, or you can build just the top, base, and fence. If you plan on making the box joint jig (see page 38), it’s wise to mill the neces- sary holes and the groove in the bot: tom piece now, If you're going to incorporate the horizontal table setup, build this first, as you'll use it to help with layout when it comes to building the router table. Another option is to buy the table in kit form or a complet ed version. (See www.routerlady.com.| MAKE THE ROUTER TABLE Start by building the base, including its plywood bottom, then make the acrylic top. Finally, make the fence. START WITH THE BASE Refer to figure 3 for building the base Cut all the parts to size, except for the rail, which you should keep overlong for now. Pay special attention to cut ting the ends of the sides perfectly square with the edges, or the finished table will be racked Lay out and rout the dadoes in the bottom, making sure they’re precisely parallel with each other and square to the long edges of the bottom. [Si Dadoes, Grooves, and Slots, page 85.] ‘Once you've milled the dadoes, rout the tongues on the sides to fit with in, rabbeting bit, (See Rabbets, page 78.) Lay out and drill four holes through the bottom for attaching the router table to a workstand or low bench. By installing T-nuts or threaded inserts in your bench, you can secure table by slipping bolts through the holes in the bottom and into the nuts in your bench. If you have commercial featherboards, rout a pair of shallow dadoes in one of the sides for conven. ient storage to rout an “in, chaméer on the long edges of the sides, Then use a chamfer bit Once the joints are cut, dry-fit the sides into the bottom and screw the joints fast. Then, working along the bottom, carefully measure the dis- tance between the sides and cut the rail to that length. Next, lay out and cut the U-shaped cutout in the rail, and chamfer the long bottom edges as you did the sides. Drill and counter- sink the sides for the screws that attach the rail ‘The rail must be set back from the sides by the distance of the chamfer cor about 4 in., to prevent it from 1¢ operation of theRouter Table BITS AND TOOLS $Y, Yn Yh, and 1 in. dil its + single-flute countersink bit + Tand 1% in. spade bit + %20 tap and #7 drill bit + % in, dowel center + transfer punch, as needed + thread-locking compound - rabbet bit + chamter bit + base marker + router with offset baseplate + drill press + bandsaw, jigsaw, or scrollsaw * Note: Determir final length after assemt MATERIALS AND HARDWARE + 1% and 2 in. drywall screws, as needed + 3.ea, Yo20 Tuts or brass threaded inserts, with appropriate drill bit + Tock knob with 20 through hole, ¥-20 x 2 in. pan-head machine screw, ‘and washer + Tock knob with ¥20 through hole, %-20 x 2% in. ppan-head machine screw, and washer CUTTING LIST Part Material Qty, Dimensions (in) Base bottom Baltic birch plywood 1 Yx9x24 Base sides Baltic birch plywood = 2x 9x 144 Base rail Baltic birch plywood 1 Bx x gir Top. clear acrylic 1 x 15 x20 Fonce base Baltic birch plywood 1 Wx Dix 24 Fence board Baltic birch plywood 1 x 64x 24 Fence brackets Baltic birch plywood 2 Wx DHX a% Bottom pad Baltic birch plywood 1 4x 24x8 Tapered pad Baltic birch plywood 1 %x2x 2% Clamp dowel wood dowel Al vdia. x % 19 the sides to the bottom. the top of the rail must be exactly flush with the top of the sides, or the acrylic top won't lay flat. Dry-clamp the assembly and check for square, and position both the bottom and the top of the sides on a flat surface, such as your table saw, to check for fla ness. When you're satistied, disassem- wwcaeny a ble the parts, then reassemble with sue and screw the joints for the last time. Check for flatness once more, and let the assembly dry undisturbed. MAKE THE TOP See figure 4. Cut the acrylic top to size. (See Working with Plastic, page 36, for tips on cutting and drilling plastic.) If you're making more than one top, go ahead and cut them to size now, Lay out and drill the bit hole and the U-shaped cutout. As you did on the bottom, drill four holes through the top for bolts that will attach the table toa low bench or workstand, or even toa dedicated shop cabinet. To repeat the precise hole pattern, align the top with the bottom and transfer the hole locations with a transfer punch. Drill and countersink the holes from the bottom side of the acrylic top. Now set the top onto the base with its back edge flush with the rail and the ‘two U-shaped cutouts aligned with each other. The sides should protrude about % in, Like the rail, this arrange- ment keeps the edge of the top from interfering with the horizontal router setup. Clamp in position, then trace the contours of the sides and the rail tanto the bottom surface of the top. Use this layout to locate the six ‘mounting screw holes. Dall Yo in. holes, countersinking them from the top side. Lay out and drill the pivot hole for the fence using a #7 drill bit. Use a ¥i-20 tap to cut the threads in the hole. If you have a commercial featherboard, drill a series of holes through the top to attach it, using a transfer punch through a featherboard to locate the hholes, Make sure co locate the feather board so it provides support on the infeed side and directly across the bit. Countersink the holes fom the bot42 sccem Rout 4x Vain. wide dadoes for sides. 18 in.sorow Botta Side out Yi in. chamfer on Tong edges. Rout shollow dadoes to accommodate commercial featherboards, 2in. screw Note: Base is shown upside down, Dil and countersink four Yin, holes from opposite side to ft 1-20 Tuts in workstand. Locate dadoes / from centerline Rout Vex Yin thick tongues to it ddadoes in bottom. ~ Sot rll back from side by amount of ‘chamfer, or iin iain Drill 1% in, dia. hole centered on rat's length, then saw cutout (for horizontal table setup, Rall tom. To attach the featherboard, you'll have to remove its runner. Finally, lay out, drill, and countersink the appropriate holes through the bot: tom of the top for your router base, using the base marker (see page 34) to locate the holes. CONSTRUCT THE FENCE Refer to figure 5, and cut the parts to size, Make sure the inside corners of the brackets are absolutely square since they help keep the fence perpen: dicular. The curves on the brackets aren't critical. You can saw a graceful ogee or any shape you like that marks your sense of craftsmanship Lay out, drill, and saw the U-shaped cutouts in the fence board and the base. Note the Yin. difference in the cutout locations between these two parts. If you own commercial feather Fence features. The tall fence provides ‘ample working room for big or small work. An integral wooden clamp pad Secures the fence to the table in a jiffy boards, now is the time to cut the groove in the fence board that holds them, (See Dadoes, Grooves, and Slots, page 85.) Next, lay out and drill the counter bored pivot hole at one end of the base and the counterbored clamp hole at the opposite end. I use a 1 in. spade bit to drill an % in. deep counterbore for a washer and a % in. drill bit for the through hole. Glue and clamp the base and fence board together, and add the brackets, Check the assembly for flat and square before setting it aside to dry. Glue the clamping pads together. In the center of the tapered pad, drill a Yin, diameter by % in. deep hole, and insert a metal dowel center into the hole, Align the end of the clamping pad with the end of the fence base, and press the parts together to mark the base. Drill a Ye by / in. hole into the base precisely where the dowel center left its mark. Sand or plane a Yin. taper on the thinner pad, as indicated in the drawing. Then glue the wood dowel into the clamping pad, leaving % in. of the dowel protruding,Locate top over base, with ' back edge flush with the ‘base ral, and locate and dri six countorsunk holes for Securing top to base. / f Drill and countersink Vn holes from underside, ‘matching their locations ‘with holes in router table ‘base bottom. Fig. 4: ACRYLIC TOP Dil 18 in dia. hole centered on table length, then saw U-shape cutout (for horizontal table setup). 4 a8 Drill and tap 14-20 hole for fence lock knob, = Drill 194m dia. bit hole, centered an length of top. — brill and countersink holes ‘through top for mounting router base, Dri series of holes for attaching commercial featherbaards, Now realign the clamping pad with the base, and insert the dowel {no glue!) into the hole in the base, Use a ‘ansfer punch through the clamp hole in the base to mark the pad. Disassemble, drill a hole in the pad to fit a T-nut or a brass threaded insert, and insert the nut or insert from the bottom. If necessary, sand the insert flush with the top of the pad. “To make each lock knob assembly, thread the appropriate machine screw through the knob, dabbing a bit of thread-locking compound on the upper threads of the screw to hold it fast. BUILD THE HORIZONTAL SETUP Note: Be sure make or buy the plate first, then use it to lay out and build the rest of the router table, ‘The core of the horizontal router setup is a rigid, aluminum plate that secures your router at a perfect right angle to the router tabletop. While aluminum can be worked with regular dil bits and files, keep in mind that the plate requires a curved slot and 4 large-diameter hole, and most shops don't have the necessary tools for making these cuts. However, & machine shop can supply you with aplate cut to size and milled with the necessary slot and holes at minimal expense, Another option is to buy a readymade plate {see wow routerlady.com| LAY OUT AND MILL THE PLATE Refer to figure 6. Acquire the alu- minum plate, making sure it’s flat and cut to size. Lay out the pivot hole as shown and use a center punch to ‘mark its location. Place the tip of a compass on the pivot hole mark and swing a 9% in, radius to draw the curved slot, stopping the curve from the bottom and top edges as indicated Reset the compass to 47% in, and swing a shorter arc, then square a line 2% in, up from the bottom edge to intersect this arc. Center punch theGlue bracket to base and fence board, Lock knob with 272 in machine screw — Drill Ya tain. hole in bottom of base owe, sin da. x ~ ‘Vain. Glue into tapered pad Tapered pad: glue to — bottom pad Bottom pad Fig. 5: FENCE Dri 1 in, counterbore and Yin. through hole at each end of base. Dail 134i, dia, half hole. Mt Locke knot ith 2, machine serew Rout shallow grove to ‘accomodate commercial featherboards, Fence board, ue to base, 103/00 CLAMPING PAD DETAIL ‘Tapered pad rea pal 0 Drill 1% in. dia. hole centered rer a ‘on fence board's length, then ant 28/6 in. = ) Drill Yin. hole Bottom pad through bottom pad ‘and install Tut. spot to mark the bit hole. Drill the % in, pivot hole and lightly chamfer each side. Then, if necessary, have the ‘machine shop mill the curved slot and the bit hole. Once the slot and hole are cut, use the base marker (see page 34) to lay out the location of your router base. Make sure to orient the base so its locking mechanism is accessible and your router’s handles don't interfere with the fixture’s lock knobs. Drill the appropriate sized holes to mount your router, countersinking them from the ‘working side of the plate, Then lay out, drill, and countersink the holes for a pair of commercial feather- boards, using a transfer punch through the featherboards to mark their exact location. Soften all sharp edges with a file or 100-grit sandpaper. HANG THE PLATE ‘At this point, you'll need to use the plate to help with laying out the dado locations in the router table base’s plywood bottom. (See fig. 4.| To do this, center the plate on the plywood ‘bottom with their long edges parallel with each other, and clamp. Use a transfer punch through the pivot hole in the plate to mark the bottom, and ‘use a pencil to trace the outlines of the curved slot. Unelamp, and mark the center of the curved slot on the bottom. Now draw a line from the pivot hole mark to the centermark of the curve, keeping the line parallel with the long edge of the bottom, Using a square on the long edge, draw a line through the pivot hole mark and another line through the curve’s centermark. Each line represents the precise center of the dadoes. ‘Once you've made the router table base, you're ready to hang the plate, as shown in figure 6. Start by squaring lines across the base's sides, in.ecery 48, Fig. ‘Aluminum plate Dill Yin. pivot hole Drill and ‘countersink router base mounting holes from opposite side of plate, Lock knob ‘Mount router base to plate such that locking mechanism is accesible a top of plate Swing a 9% in. rads from pivot hole to draw curved slot, Center of pivot hole Disin. hole to locate bit hole. down from their top edges. Position and clamp the plate over these marks, aligning the marks with the plate’s pivot hole and curved slot. Use a transfer punch through the plate to ‘mark the precise hanger bolt locations oon the sides. Remove the plate, and drill %« in, holes into the sides on. your marks, Install each hanger bolt with 14-20 nut Dril 172 in. bit hole, : HORIZONTAL ROUTER SETUP Hanger bot, W620 x 12. Drill and ‘countersink holes for ‘commercial featherboards Curved slot, 96 LAYING OUT THE PLATE Tin Swing 2.476. radius from pivot Centerline of slot Vein. Bottom edge by engaging two nuts on its machine- threaded end and wrenching the bole into the side until % in. protrudes. Remove the nuts and, if necessary, file any sharp edges on the ends of the bolts, being careful not to destroy the threads. Horizontal Setup BITS AND TOOLS + % and Yin. dill bits + countersink bit + center punch + compass + transfer punch, as needed + base marker + drill press MATERIALS AND HARDWARE + aluminum plate, %x 6 x 18 in + 2a, hanger bolt with nuts, ¥%-20 x Vs in. Sturdy setup. The author secures the table to a low workstand by driving machine screws through the table's bot tom and into threaded inserts installed in the stand,Fingers and slots. This L-shaped jig rides in a groove on the router table and regi ters the work for cutting box joints. SETTING UP THE ROUTER ‘TABLE Secure the router table to your work- stand or bench with machine screws, orienting the table as needed with the correct side up. Another option is to simply clamp the base to your work- surlace. If you're routing on the acrylic top, screw your router base to the underside of the top, screw the top to the base, and install the router motor and bit into the router base. To use the fence, thread the shorter lock knob into the pivot hole in the top, and position the clamping pad under the opposite edge. To set the fence to the bit, simply swing the fence around the pivot screw and tighten the lock knob at the opposite end. Then tighten the pivot lock knob and recheck your fence setting To use the horizontal router setup, mount your router base to the plate slip the plate over the hanger bolts at the back of the router table, and secure the plate with the lock knobs. Install the router motor and bit into the base. Set the bit height by loosen- ing both lock knobs slightly and mow ing the end of the plate with the curved slot up or down. Once the bit is where you want it, tighten both knobs and recheck the bit height One more tip: Never store your router motor in this table—or in any router table, for that matter—when not in use, or its weight can cause the top to sa. Box Joint Jig The box joint jig helps you make great box joints (see page 92) and lets you rout ¥,%, or % in, wide slots and fin: gers. The jig works equally well with my router table (see page 38) or your ‘own router table if you modify it slighty. It consists of three parts: the sled, the stop, and the tabletop of the router table, Note: If you plan on making my router table, mill the necessary groove and holes for the box joint jig during construction of the table, as outlined below, MAKE THE BOX JOINT ]IG Refer to figure 7, and cut the parts to size. I use HDPE [high-density poly: ethylene plastic) for the runner, a dense but low-friction type of plastic, but you can substitute hard maple or oak if you like. Keep the runner slightly over width for now; you fit it more precisely later. If you're making the router table on page 38, lay out and cut the groove and the holes as shown on the “top’ side of the router table's bottom. If you're going to use the jig with your own router table, you'll have to incor- porate these holes and the groove in its tabletop, or make an new top that’s at least % in. thick. Lay out and rout a stopped, through slot in the center of the sub-fence piece. (See Dadoes, Grooves, and Slots, page 85.) Then lay out and rout the tongue-and-groove joint in this piece and the base. When cutting the groove, if anything make it a little “fat,” but certainly not too wide. Then rout the tongue on the base to fit. Fit the joint dry and pull it together with four countersunk screws, then disas- semble, add glue, and permanentlyeee ee eee Box Joint Jig BITS AND TOOLS + Ye, Yo and 1 in, dill bits + countersink bit + transfer punch, as needed +20 tap and #7 dill bit in. straight bit +n, rabbet bit + % and % in. dado bits MATERIALS AND HARDWARE + lock knob with %-20 insert nut and washer + flathead machine screw, 20 x2 in, + stoel spring pin, % dia. x Tin, + #6x %in, flat-head Phillips screws, as needed ae + steal pin or wood dowel, + router table ‘hor dla x2 in CUTTING LIST Part Material ty. Dimensions (in. Base MOF or acrylic 1 %xex7 Sub-fence MDF or acrylic 1 Kx6x5 Main fence Baltic birch plywood or acrylic 14x65 Backer* plywood 1 wKOxS Runner HOPE plastic 1 ax%xe% Stop block MOF or acrylic 1 hxtx2 * Note: Make as many as you need and replace as necessary. screw the joint fast. If necessary, use a lush-trimming bit to rout the bottom surface even. Once you've assembled the base to the sub-fence, rout a shallow dado in the bottom, centering it side-to-side and front-to-back Next, align the main fence with the sub-fence and use a transfer punch through the slot in the sub-fence to mark the location for the machine screw. Separate the parts and use a #7 duill bit and a tap to drill and thread a hole in the main fence for a machine screw, Countersink the hole from the ‘working side of the fence. Then locate and drill a hole for the spring pin, and lay out, drill, and countersink the four holes for the screws that secure the plywood backer. Make sure to drill a % in. clearance hole in the backer to allow room for the spring pin in the main fence. ‘Then tap the pin into the main fence, and check that it protrudes at least 1 in, from the face of the fence. Fit and install the runner to the bot- tom of the base, or sled, checking that it slides smoothly in the groove you cut in the router tabletop. Scrape the ‘edges of the runner if necessary. The runner should slide smoothly in the sxoove without any side-to-side play. Once the sled is moving smoothly, assemble the various fence parts aad lock them together with the machine serew and lock knob, Attach a backer with the four screws. Finally, make the stop block as shown. Drill a ¥ in, off-center hole through the stop on the drill press, and glue a steel pin or wood dowel into the hole Label the stop as shown for the three sizes of fingers and slots. SETTING UP THE JIG Once you've prepped your stock (see Box Joints, page 92], simply install the sled in the groove on your router table, then use the stop block and its appropriate edge to align the jig to the bit and the size fingers and slots you ‘wish to rout. As you use the jig to rout box joints, you'll notice the ply: wood backer helps to eliminate tearout on the back of the cut and protects the main fence. Expect the backer to get torn up during use, so make sure you use afresh one for every setup, Sot the bit height. Place the stock on the table, position a block on top of the ‘work, and raise the bit to the bottom of the blockstony 1 . 7: BOX JOINT JIG |) Main fence, (plywood Sites Mil ax vin. stot eee through fence, | ‘Tap and countersink } | for machine screw. Lock knab with 220 nut ‘Machine serow, 420 x2 in [Mill 7/16 deep dado in base for runner. Sprit Ye in. clearance Pont runner pale ori tne ml fren bass ws 7 ubanagreore [eto waa sin» prywood baer relieves Wo eve / eng Pood becker Dri isin. hoe for pin. STOP BLOCK DETAIL ROUTER TABLE SETUP Routor tabletop, at least Ia in. thiek Mark numbers on block. ‘Stop block gy Stee! pin Dri sin. hole fo pin a 2in. minimum 1010. Dail Yin. hole Bin. forpin. ‘Stool pin, ‘tx 2 in. Glue into block. Rout 14x3/4 in. stopped groove to ft runner in box join ji.‘Safer, cleaner cuts. This L-shaped sled lets you clamp long or wide work securely for sccurste, safer routing, and backs up the work to prevent blowout. Push Sticks, Sleds, and Featherboards Not to be overlooked as useful jigs are Jn sticks and other shop-made wushing devices—vital safety items you need in many areas of the shop. joards are another must-have, and you can make your own or buy rcial versions. These devices icularly handy at the table saw he router table. Not only do keep fingers and hands safe from ing bits and blades, but they more control over the work- and often help you make clean- € more accurate cuts. of my favorite push sticks is shown in figure 8, In addition to table sew work, T'use this stick on the able, especially when I'm rout- rrow stock and have feather boards set up. (See top photo, right.) This stick has a lot going for it. First, ww-handle shape is very comfort: Also, the stick’s ong nose holds down stock securely to prevent kick- Bock—unlike lots of other sticks that simply push stock with a small heel Make the stick from scrap plywood and solid wood, and when the sole or heel gets chewed up from use, cut it off on the bandsaw, joint the handle flat, and glue on a new part. You repeat this procedure many times before you joint into the handle open- ing. The design of these sticks makes them good candidates for template routing |see page 130). Make them in batches and give them to your wood: ‘working buddies; they'll appreciate working more safely. ‘The sled shown in figure 9 and in the photo, above, is very handy for sup: porting wide workpieces, and works particularly well when routing tenons, ‘making cope cuts on the ends of rails, cutting lock miters, or anywhere you need to push work on the router table and back it up to prevent blowout. ‘When the jig gets too ravaged by bits, simply make a new one. The vertical push stick (see fig. 10 and middle photo, right) is another router table favorite, and does a won iectny 49, Stick and feathers. A shop-made push stick and a pair of commercial featherboards keep fingers clear of spinning cutters and provide more control for feeding the work. — Control the tall stuff. By turning the L shaped sled on end and adding a fence ‘and handle, you can direct tall stock past the bit without tipping, derful job of keeping your hands clear while stabilizing tall stock to keep it from tipping. The device is assembled from a modified version of my push stick and the push sled, with a thin plywood heel glued to its trailing edge. I favor the commercial featherboards shown in the top photo, above, because they’re inexpensive, easy to set up, and made from plastic, which ‘won't harm bits and blades. Keep a pair on hand so you can place pres- sure on the work for safe and con:Fig. 8: PUSH STICK Round over edges Don't round over of handle. bottom edges. Sole, S/o ax4 x 10in, ‘Attach sole and heel with glue; ‘don't use metal fastners. Hol, Yo x3 x3tein, HANDLE PATTERN: Make handle from in. thick plywood, C yO square = tin Fig. 9: PUSH SLED Fence, 26 in. plywood or MDF 7 Basa fin pyc = Glue parts together at 90 ‘don't use metal fasteners. Make averall dimensions of sled to suit particular application. Typical measurements 410 a 5x8 in. base with a 2x’ in. fence, Fig. 10: VERTICAL PUSH STICK Glue Ye x Yan plywood hee! to sled. Joint oF saw bottom of push stick handle to a suitable ‘angle (30" works fine), then ‘lue to sledEasy bit change. Cradle your router in this home-made router motor holder for reliable bit changing Router Cradle This nifty jig is a welcome third hand {or fourth, even!| for supporting the outer when installing or removing Bits. I designed it when I got tired of trying to squeeze router wrenches ‘with my arthritic hands to securely sighten bits in router collets. My stu- ents discovered other benefits. The cradle arrangement allows you to use only one wrench, a much simpler approach than trying to maneuver two ata time. And the sides and bottom create a little box for neatly storing ‘your router and its associated para- phemalia, such as wrenches, collets, aand the like. ‘MAKE THE CRADLE See figure 11, and cut all the parts to ‘siz, except for the bottom and sides. leave the bottom over wideh and the ssdes over length for now. Measure the diameter of your router ‘motor and cap, then use a compass to Jy out the curves in the motor sup- ports, and cut them to fit. You don't IBave to cut the reverse curves as ‘sbown, but they look great, so indulge ‘yourself! Chamfer or round over the sepports on both faces, but not their Ibottom edges, Router Cradle BITS AND TOOLS + Yeand Ye in. dill bits + compass / in, roundover or chamfer bit + bandsaw, jigsaw, or sorollsaw CUTTING LIST Part Motor supports plywood Bottom plywood Sides plywood MATERIALS AND HARDWARE + brads or small finish nails, as needed + # 8x in, screw ‘fender washer + 2.8, 1in. dia. ceramic magnets ary. Dimensions (in.) wx ax 1% Ux x8% Wx2xt * Note: Make width or length to suit length of router. Fig. 11: ROUTER CRADLE Motor support ‘Make diameter equal tomotoreap. Bottom ‘Make width to suit. Label “T* for tight and “L" for loosen. > Sides “Make length to suit router. / Make diameter equal Fender washer ~ Ceramic magnet Glue to support52 soceRv Serew the fender washer to a motor support, stand both supports upright, and lay your motor on them. Measure the distance from support to support joutside edge to outside edge} and cut the plywood bottom to fit. Measure between the supports and cut the sides to length. Round over or cham- fer the top edges of the sides, then slue and brad the sides to the sup. ports and secure the bottom Attach the magnets with hot glue. Of course, your creative genes will require that you sand and finish the jig neatly. For those of us who can't visualize the saying "Righty tighty, lefty loosey,” mark a“T” and an "L’ on the top of the motor support to remind you in which direction to turn the wrench, Offset Baseplate ‘This oversized, egg-shaped baseplate consists of a plywood handle attached toa clear acrylic plate. Its purpose is, to provide a large area of contact when routing the edges of wood. Without this kind of baseplate, 60 percent or more of a typical router hangs in space, depending on the diameter of the bit you're using, When this hap- pens, it's difficult to keep the router from tipping—and ruining the cut. By using an offset baseplate, a much larg er portion of the router base rides on the wood for edge work, The jig features a saw-type handle, which is more comfortable than stan- dard router knobs, Knobs force you to move your elbows away ftom your body, an awkward stance at best and a likely cause of accidents. You'll love hhow hand-friendly this jig is. You can buy it (see www.r0uterlady.com) or make it yourself, Remember, the key to using the jig when routing edges is to always keep the handle portion of the baseplate over the surface of your stock Bigger footprint. Adding an oversize baseplate to your router greatly improves its stability, especially for cuts on the edge of your work. Offset Baseplate BITS AND TOOLS + % in, dill bit + chamfer bit with bearing + base marker + Vin. spade bit + router table + Vin, Forstner bit + bandsaw, jigsaw, or serollsaw + compass + drill press. + center punch MATERIALS AND + countersink bit HARDWARE + in, roundover bit with bearing + 2ea. #8 x 1% in. drywall screws CUTTING LIST Part Material Qty. Dimensions (in.) Handle Baltic birch plywood 1 1x 6x6 Baseplate clear acrylic 1 UXT x 12% * Note: If necessary, face-glue two pieces of in. plywood. —swacenv Cut end to 112 in. radius. Fig. 1 Plywood handle Fece-glue two ¥2in. pieces and cut aut saw handle shape. outer mounting hole Bithole, "4 in. a, Cut end to 33/8 in. radius OFFSET BASEPLATE HANDLE PATTERN ve 1 square = 1 in ‘MAKE THE BASEPLATE See figure 12. Cut the parts to size. {See Working with Plastic, page 36.) ‘Working on the unprinted side of the plastic plate, mark a centerline on the ‘Teng axis to help with laying out the gedii at cach end. Set your compass to ‘Dé and 3% in. respectively, and draw ‘the arcs at each end of the plate with ‘the point of the compass on the cen- ‘terline. Then draw straight lines tan- gat to the arcs to outline the plate’s zz shape. ‘Nex, lay out and mark the screw ‘Boles for the handle and the bit hole ‘2s shown, then use the base marker ‘sce page 34) co mark the mounting Sboles for your router. Make sure to orient the router's locking mechanism. away from the handle. Drill the holes for the handle and the appropriate- sized holes for your router's mounting screws, and countersink them on the printed side of the paper. Use a spade bit to drill the bit hole, working from both sides of the plate. Cut the baseplate to its distinct egg shape, and sand the edges smooth. ‘Make sure to chamfer all the edges, including the bit hole. SHAPE AND SECURE THE HANDLE Saw a straight edge on one end of the plywood blank for the handle’s bot- tom, Transfer the handle pattern to the plywood and cut the outside pro- file on the bandsaw, scrollsaw, or with a jigsaw. Use a spade bit or a 1% in Forstner bit to drill a hole at each end of the curved handle cutout to save sawing. Then use a jigsaw or scroll: saw to remove the waste between the holes. Sand the sawn edges smooth, and rout a in, roundover on all the edges except the bottom of the handle. Remove the paper on the baseplate and fasten the handle with the two screws. Then mount your router. 3384 Router Tracking System Many joint-cutting procedures require the router to be guided dead straight, sometimes in reverse direction as well, such as when routing dadoes or grooves, This router tracking system [see www.routerlady.com) addresses those needs, Please, don't confuse this setup with a router edge guide, Edge guides work fine if you focus on keep- ing them tight against the stock's straight edge, but high rpms and cen- trifugal forces can often pull the router and guide away from the edge, spoiling the cut. The router tracking system consists of a grooved baseplate that you attach to your plunge router, which in turn engages an aluminum track clamped to the workpiece. You clamp the track exactly 4 in. from the centerline of your desired cut, position the grooved baseplate over the track, and you're ready to rout. (See fig. 13.] You can buy tracks in different lengths for wide or narrow work. The great thing is, once you set up the jig, you can focus on routing and not on dealing with where the bit might accidentally wan: der. Setup gauges make the system easy to set up, and a variety of stops lets you make accurate stopped or repetitive cuts. There's even a separate baseplate that lets you make straight cuts with a standard circular saw. SETTING UP THE TRACKING SYSTEM " Centering of desired ado, groove, oF lt asoplate rides along lip in wack Clamp track precisly in, Riding a track. This commercial jig guides a router for cutting super accurate grooves and dadoes. Components include a baseplate that fits your router, work stops, and variety of tracks in different lengths (left.Mortising Fixture ‘The mortising fixture holds stock in repeatable positions so mortises can be quickly and accurately routed with a hand-held plunge router. The device accommodates work up to 3% in. ‘wide, such as the frame pieces for a cabinet door. The fixture features stops that limit router travel and another stop that registers the work: picce, letting you rout any desired length of mortise accurately and repeatedly on multiple workpieces. In addition, you can use the fixture for routing grooves in the edges of work ‘The fixture is available commercially in kit form or as a complete version {see worw.routerlady.com), or you can build your own from scratch. It con: sists of four main sections: the base and yoke, a fixed jaw, a moveable jaw, and a router baseplate. You'll want to visit the Iumberyard, a well-stocked hardware store, your woodworking store, and a plastics company to acquire everything you need. BUILD THE BASE Refer to figure 15. Cut the parts to ‘Size, and saw a 1 in. radius on the top ‘comer of each yoke end and on the ‘owo corners of the base, as shown, ‘Lay out and rout the through slot in ‘the base, (See Dadoes, Grooves, and Slots, page 85.) Then use a V-groove ‘bit to chamfer the bottom side of the slot to accommodate the head of a #12 screw. ‘Lay out the 1 in. hole on the yoke ‘Block with a compass, and draw a hor- ‘ontal line through the center of the eacle. Drill a Yin. hole where the ‘ine intersects each side of the circle ‘t accommodate the two flanges on ‘the screw nut. Drill the 1 in. hole on ‘the drill press. Take the veneer screw Fig. 14: MORTISING FIXTURE _- Mount plunge router to baseplate, ‘Adjustable aluminum bar — Fixed jaw —— out groove in plastic for bar and stops. ‘Adjustable — router stop ‘Aluminum angle — Gyo two pieces of iain. plywood together for jaws ‘and yoke. _- Moveable jaw apart, Separating the screw from the ‘screw pivot and unthreading the screw ut. Hammer the nut into the hole from the back side of the yoke, align- ing its flanges with the two smaller holes, and fasten with a pair of pan- head screws, Finish the yoke by gluing. and screwing the yoke ends to the block, Position the yoke on the base, cen: tered on its length and aligned with the through slot, with its back edge flush with the edge of the base. Mark, drill, and countersink for four screws through the bottom of the base and into the yoke block and ends. Then. glue and screw the yoke securely to the base, The yoke has to withstand56 Mortising Fixture BITS AND TOOLS + ein. drill bit + Vand 1% in, spade bits + compass + %-20 tap and #7 drill bit + transfer punch, as ded + V-groove bit + base marker + bandsaw, jigsaw, or serollsaw MATERIALS AND HARDWARE + veneer screw, % dia. x 9 in. + aluminum angle, % x % x 24 in. + #4 % in, flathead screws, as needed + #6x in, flat-head screws, as needed + #8 % in, pan-head screws, as needed + #8x2in fh + #12 x 16 flat-head screw sad screws, as needed + lock knob with /-20 through hole, Y-20 x 2)6 in. carriage bolt, and fender washer + 2.a, lock knobs with /-20 through hole, ¥%-20 x 14 in. machine screws, standard washers, and rubber washers + 2a. nylon thumbscrews, %-20 x % in. + aluminum angle, 6x % x % in. + aluminum bar, Ys x % x 12 in, CUTTING LIST Part Material Qty, Dimensions (in.) Base Baltic birch plywood 1 x12 «24 Yoke block Baltic birch plywood 1 x3 ay Yoke ends Baltic birch plywood 2 %x3x3 Fixed jaw Blatic birch plywood 1 Wx 8x24 ined jaw track HDPE plastic 1 Mx TK KDE Workpiece stop Baltic birch plywood 1 hx8x3% Wood runner oak or hard maple 1 YMRS Router stops Delrin™ plastic ee ei Moveable jaw Baltic birch plywood 1 Wt sx2d Top wear plate hardwood or HDPE plastic 1 © 4x 14x24 Bottom wear plate hardwood or HOPE plastic 1 Yex 1x24 Stiffener Baltic birch plywood 4 4x2% 18 Baseplate clear acrylic 1 4x12 «12 * Note: If necessary, face-glue two pieces of % in. plywood. the action of the veneer screw, so a good joint here is important, CONSTRUCT THE FIXED JAW Refer to figure 16, and cut the parts to size, except for the router stops. (More on these later} Lay out and rout the two rabbetted through slots in the jaw blank, (See Rabbets, page 78.) Then mill the sgxoove in the plastic jaw track (see Dadoes, Grooves, and Slots, page 85] and serew it to the top of the jaw blank with #4 screws. The trick here is to align the groove absolutely paral- lel with the inside face of the jaw. Do this by placing the inside surface of the jaw blank and the edge of the jaw track down on the benchtop, and clamping them in place. Drill, cou tersink, and screw the parts together, then remove the clamps, Drill and countersink the aluminum angle on both legs for #6 screws. Attach one leg of the angle to the bot- tom of the jaw assembly. Then posi- tion the jaw onto the base, and mark, drill, and countersink holes through the base and into the underside of the jaw. Glue and screw the jaw to the base with #8 screws. Then fasten the remaining leg of the angle to the base with #6 screws, Next, clamp the wood runner and the ‘workpiece stop into the slot in the jaw such that the stop is neither above the top of the jaw nor touching the base. Insert a transfer punch from the back of the jaw and mark a hole for a carriage bolt, Remove the parts and drill a / in. hole through the runner and the stop. Then glue the runner to the sled. Insert the bolt through the stop and the slot in the jaw, and secure the stop with a fender washer and a lock knob.You can use the same stops from the router tracking system [see page 54) or you can make your own adjustable router stops from Delrin™, an acetal plastic that’s tough, durable, and pro- ‘vides low friction. If you opt to make them yourself, cut the parts to size as shown, then drill and tap a hole in each stop for a nylon thumbscrew. Use nylon because it won't dimple the plastic part of the jaw. Dimples create a “memory” that subsequent settings slide into, making new settings inac- MAKE THE MOVEABLE JAW See figure 17, Cut the parts.to size Glue the top and bottom wear plates to the jaw blank. The plates can be plastic, thin plywood, or solid hard ‘wood, such as hard maple or oak. If you use wood, orient the grain with the grain of the veneered base. Don't use metal fasteners on the top plate, as you may need to rip this area of the jaw to the exact height of the fixed jaw. Once the glue has dried, flush- trim the edges of the plates even with the jaw. Remove the workpiece stop from the fixed jaw, set it aside, and lamp the moveable jaw to the fixed jaw and check that they're precisely the same height. ‘Drill holes through the metal flange at ‘be comers of the screw pivot for #6 pan-head screws. Thread the veneer ‘screw through the screw nut in the spoke block and attach the pivot with ‘tbe locking screw. Now tum the ‘wencer screw until the pivot touches ‘tbe moveable jaw. Mark and drill ‘Boles, and screw the pivot to the jaw, ssesking sure the locking screw faces =. Position the stiffener just below the ‘2p of the moveable jaw and directly ‘above the screw pivot, and mark an access hole for the pivot locking screw. Drill a % in, hole through the stiffener at your mark, and lightly chamfer both sides. Mark, drill, and counter- sink six holes through the inside of the jaw for #8 screws. Then glue and screw the stiffener to the jaw. Finally add the #12 screw through the base and into the bottom of the jaw MAKE AND MOUNT THE BASEPLATE Refer to figure 18 for making the base plate. Cut the plastic plate to size (see Working with Plastic, page 36), and cut the aluminum bar to length. Lay out, drill, and tap two holes in each bar for /-20 machine screws, Alter drilling the holes, but before tap: ping them, clamp each bar to the acrylic plate and use a transfer punch through the holes to mark the center of the slots in the plate. Then finish tapping the holes. Mortises made easy. With the work piece held securely in its jaws, this mor tising fixture guides a special baseplate ‘mounted to your router and lets you plunge-cut mortises. Setting a pair of stops determines the mortise length. Use a square aligned with your tans fer marks to lay out the slot locations on the plate. Mark the ends of the slots, then rout them with a % in. bit [See Dadoes, Grooves, and Slots, page 85.) Later, ifthe fit is tight, you can widen the slots slightly with a file, Fig. 15: BASE AND YOKE Screw pivot Serow nut > Dill 2 in. holes for ‘Attach to moveablejaw,— | Yoke block flanges on screw nut. see fig. 17 \ Rout in, long slot V.groove bit to accomodate #12 screw. Dri 7 in. ale for serew nut Veneer screw Cut tin, radius on two Corners of base and ‘yoke ends, ~~ Yoke end ”38 Mark the location of the bit hole, Use the base marker (see page 34) to Tocate and mark the router mounting holes and to orient the handles of your router parallel with the slots, Drill the bit hole with a 1% in. spade bit, then drill and countersink the router mounting holes. Slide the machine screws through the bars and through the slots in the base: plate, Place rubber washers over the bolts and against the plastic (you can buy rubber washers, or make them. yourself from leftover inner tube) then add metal washers and lock knobs, The rubber washers keep the bar from slipping, Occasionally you'll have to clean the sawdust from under them to make them grab the plastic again. SETTING UP THE MORTISER Insert an up-cut spiral bit into your plunge router and fasten the router to the baseplate. Mark a single line for one cheek (with an “X” drawn on the inside to remind you where to rout) and two more lines to mark the ends of the mortise, Place the work between the jaws, measure the sure the space. Place the work into the jig and measure the distance to the top of the jaws, Fig. 16: FIXED JAW Nylon thumbscrew won . 4 Leck knob aluminum angle ‘Screw to jaw and to base. Rout 2/64 xis in. groove. saw track Jaw blank Wood runner _— Workpiece stop \ carriage bot V-20 x 212. \ rit Yin. note for bot Conterline of jaw \ Rout isin. x8 in. through slot S Rout ex Ys in. deep rabbet ADJUSTABLE ROUTER STOP DETAIL Dil and tap through hole for thumbscrew. i ro] 1 Yim Latin t + } Vain Len | Le Nylon thumbscrewFig. 17: MOVEABLE JAW Pivot locking screw ‘Attach screw pivot to jaw, directly under stiffener. Top wear plate Stifener Drill 2 in, hole to access locking screw, Secure #12 screw through slot inbase and into bottom af jaw. —__- Bottom woar plate Fig. 18: BASEPLATE Rout Vex 412in. slots, aligning end of each siot ‘with center of bit hole Look knob — Rubber washer, cut — from old inner tube, Dil and countersink router mounting holes. Dil 1 in. bit hole, Machine serew, ye20 x 1¥8in. Tap hole for screw I and countersink Fill the gap. Place the spacer under the ‘workpiece to bring it flush with the top of the jaws. For multiple cuts, set the work stop against the end of the work remaining space to the top of the jaws, and mill a spacer slightly thin- ner than the workpiece and equal in thickness to the space measured. If the width and height are similar, be sure to mark the face of the spacer that faces up. Then position the work (on top of the spacer, with the middle of its mortise in line with the veneer serew. Make sure the top edge of the workpiece is fish with the top of the jaws. Adjust the workpiece stop against the work for subsequent setups, and turn the screw to clamp the workpiece. Set the baseplate bar into the groove in the fixed jaw, loosen the lock knobs, and slide the router back and forth until the leading edge of the bit touches the inside "X” of your che line. Tighten the knobs. Rotate the bit 90° and slide the bar forward in the groove until the edge of the bit touches the forward end of the mortise, Lock a router stop against the leading edge of the baseplate Then pull the router and bit back to the opposite end of the mortise and set the second stop against the near end of the baseplateBetter dovetails. Mounting your commercial dovetail jig to a shop-made jig simpli figs setup and results in a better joint. Dovetail Jig There are many great commercial dovetail jigs on the market that work with hand-held routers for routing dovetail joints. Some of these jigs are simple; some are more complex. Some cut a variety of dovetails, including through and half-blind dovetails; oth- ers are dedicated to one specific joint. However, all of them could stand to be a little easier to use. The half-blind dovetail jig shown here is my personal favorite, and I use it for making halt-blind dovetailed draw xs. I've modified it to make it more useful, more accurate—and much eas: ier to use, You can buy the same ji and make the exact same improve ‘ments you see here, or use my ideas as inspiration for modifying your own commercial jig, First, a couple points about the jig T use. My jig has aluminum templates, which are fastened independent of the clamping mechanisms that hold the workpiece. While separate aluminum templates are alittle more expensive, they're far more durable than plastic and much simpler to use. By virtue of being independent of any clamping devices, you can control one thing at a time, which simplifies setup and ulti mately allows greater control over the fit of the dovetails ADD THE IMPROVEMENTS Refer to figure 19 to cut the necessary parts to size. Make sure to modify the dimensions if necessary to suit your particular commercial dovetail ji. Start by measuring the overall length of your jig, and then build an L- shaped platiorm that’s roughly 18 in. deep by 12 in. high. Make the plat. form 2 in, wider than the jig’s length. Assemble the platform by gluing and screwing a plywood front to a ply- Dovetail Jig Improvements BITS AND TOOLS + and Y in. dill bits + transfer punch, as needed “in. spiral bit MATERIALS AND HARDWARE +4 ea, 8-32 x % in. pan-head machine screws and washers + #8 x2 in. drywall screws, as needed +4 ea, 8-32 threaded inserts or Tuts + 20a, ¥-20 nuts + 100-grit pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) sandpaper Yand % in. + scrap plywood, thick + scrap wood, 1 in. thick Storage at back. The author included a rawer in the back of her jig for holding bits, baseplates, and other small router, dovetail accessories.Fig. 19: DOVETAIL JIG IMPROVEMENTS. Bolt Vex 192in, plywood 7 Rout tin. slt for / 832x31in, machine serow fences toon alone oth 1 / imac ste NO ae Glue 100-grit sandpaper tinder work clamps. ———_ 8-32 threaded insert ‘Add drawer at back for accesories if desired, Dovetail template Build plywood box to ‘exact height of jg and equal to i's long, Work lamp 4 S > Add lock nuts to 7 template-locking posts. Glue 100-grt sandpaper to front, \ jut below i Plywood base, 3) x 18 in. long X x 2in, wider than length of 3, Z| \ assembly in bench vise = Reinforce corner joint with Tition More fences are better. Aligning the ‘workpiece is easier if you add a pair of plywood fences that line up with the jig's exisiting fences. ‘wood base, and stiffen by attaching a wood cleat with glue and screws. Screw or bolt your dovetail jig to the platform. Measure the height of the jig on the base, and build a box to precisely that height and equal to the length of the dovetail jig. Screw the box to the base, as shown. If you want, you can build a shallow drawer and fit it into the back of the box for storing jig accessories, as shown in the bottom photo on page 60. Extra nuts for accuracy. By adding a rut on each of the jig’ two threaded posts, the author can reliably lock in the template setting for accurate, repeatable cuts, Quick clamping. A cloat socured to the Underside of the jig makes clamping itn the bench fast and simple. ‘The two plywood fences work in tan- dem with the jig’s stock fences to help you align the work more accurately to the jig, (See top photo, left.| Rout a pair of slots in each fence, and locate them on the top of the box as shown, Use a transfer punch through the cen: ter of each slot to mark the box install threaded inserts at your marks, and bolt the fences to the box. improved the arrangement that secures the jig’s dovetail template set: ting by adding a nut (%-20, in my case| to each template-locking post, directly in front of the hex nut on the post, (See photo, left.) To increase the effective clamping power of the jig, apply a wide sheet of 100-grit sandpaper to the front of the platform, and add narrow strips of the same grit to the working surface of the work clamps. No more work slip ping during crucial cuts! A good dovetail jig should be held firmly to the bench, and needs to stay that way during routing. While you can use clamps to secure the assembly to your benchtop, I prefer a quicker method that works with my bench’s end vise. By screwing a cleat under platform, I can quickly and conve- niently place the assembly over the vise, tighten the cleat in the vise, and confidently go about my dovetail-rout ing business. Bonus: there's no clamps to get in the way. (See photo, left.) MAKE AND USE A SETUP STICK There are three key settings for making perfect dovetails with a dovetail jg. One is adjusting the router bit depth, which is discussed in Halt-Blind Dovetails (page 106.) The other two settings—positioning the jig’s fences and its template—are greatly simplified if you make the setup stick shown in figure 20. You'll need to adjust the Tength of the stick and its markings to suit your own particular jg Begin by making the top horizontal stick equal to your jig's width capacity {mine is 12 in.), and cut a smaller ver tical stick about 2 in. shorter. On the horizontal stick, lay out a long line equal to your jig's front-to-back tem- plate setting, or template setback, Since my jig accommodates two tem- plates, one for Y in. dovetails and another for 4 in, dovetails, I lay out two sets of lines to the required set- back, which in my case is %: in. and vs in, respectively. At each end of the stock, lay out a short line equal to your jig's fence setting, sometimes referred to as the edge stop distance. Again, I draw two lines—% and in.—that correspond to the fence set tings for my two templates. Carefully read your owner's manual to find these settings. They may be called something else, but once you under- stand the setup you'll understand what you're looking for. Use a knife to mark the lines; pencil lines are too thick to read accurately. Once you've knifed the lines, attach the smaller vertical stick with glue and nails, cen tering it on the horizontal stick and keeping its top edge slightly below the surface of the marked stick.‘Set up with a stick. This simple plywood jig makes setting up dovetail templates # snap and helps troubleshoot problems. Fig. 20: SETUP STICK | Glue and nail joint, keeping vertical piece about 1 in below horizontal piece, Plywood, Sie 2% 12in. Inclse lines with sharp knife. Lay out long lines equal to required front-to-back setting (ef dovetail g's templates. Plywood, Y2x 2x 10. ut short lines equal to required 10-side setting of jg's fences. position the jig’s fences, start by ning the setup stick behind the -al work clamp and place the -d dovetail template onto the jig, ¢ stick to the left until the cor- responding line on the left end of the stick aligns with the edge of the left- ‘most slot in the template. Tighten the clamp. (See top photo, right.) Remove the template, adjust the jig’s left fence Line up the template. Move the stick under the metal template until the correct Tine on the stick lines up with the edge of the leftmost slot. removed, adjust the jig's metal fences against the end of the stick Square the plywood fences. Holding a drafting triangle against the back of the setup stick oF against the workpiece, align the plywood fences with the jig’s metal fences.64 siccenv Info where you need it. Mark the jig itsolf with your setup instructions so critical information is right at hand every time you make a set of dovetailed drawers against the end of the stick, and secure it. Repeat this procedure to set the right fence, moving the setup stick to the right side of the jig, aligning the ‘marks on its right end with the right- most template slot, and locking the fence, as shown in the middle right photo, previous page. With the setup stick still clamped in the jig, use it to set the front-to-back position of the template. Place the template back on the jig, and adjust it backwards or forwards until the bot- tom of its slots are even with the cor- responding setback line on the stick. (See top right photo, previous page.) Now turn the nut you added earlier against the jig’s hex nut to lock it into position Before putting the setup stick aside, place a large drafting triangle against the stick’s back edge and against each of the jig’s fences to square the ply- ‘wood fences and align them with the jig’s fences, (See bottom right photo, previous page.| Keep in mind that the plywood fences are a guide to help position the workpiece in the jg. They shouldn't interfere with the jig's primary fences, which must make full contact with the work for successful dovetails, Mark the Setup Info on the Jig The last step is to mark some perti- nent information right on your dove- tail jig assembly, Using a permanent ‘marker, draw a diagram in the center Fig. 21: JIG MARKINGS Draw the diagram below directly on the jig to help with marking the four parts of a drawer os Jo A | Facts: > | 43 sceripsrrawer |e ee o AgOns MAR 7 BOTTOM EDCE F | Cn the left plywood fence, write “C&A (On the right plywoad fence, write "B & D” of the top platform that depicts mark- ing your drawer stock, as shown in figure 21, Draw corresponding letter designations on the left and right ply ‘wood fences to indicate which end of cach drawer part goes on the left or right side of the jig. If you follow your labeling system, you can’t screw up and rout the wrong end of a drawer part Finally, in a clear area, jot down these reminders for correcting loose or tight- fitting joints: “Too loose? Increase bit depth.” "Too tight? Decrease bit depth.”Special Holding Systems he side-cutting action of I router bits combined with their high rpms makes hold: pieces safely an important spect of router work. While this is greatest for hand-held rout- milling small pieces safely and accurately on the router table can so present a challenge. Luckily, re are three proven holding tech that let you deal with this woble: sstully. The first and most obvious means of gripping your k is to use standard woodworking clamps. (See The Router Toolbox, 21.) The big advantage of com. spon clamps is that we usually have ssitable ones available in our shops But a distinct disadvantage is that often get in the way, forcing you in stops and starts as you a clamp and reposition it to lear it from the oncoming path of a Se The result is burning and incon xt cuts. To overcome this prob- ind address some other ig concerns, the following two ing techniques take over where smal clamps leave off rs The Secret of Hot Glue glue, and the accompanying ceze gun that heats and distrib t, is one of the secrets to hold- uff in my shop. This moplastic (heat sensitive} glue has some appealing attributes for router work. It grabs super quick, allowing you to position parts accu rately without slippage or misalign ment. And you can easily release stuck parts once the routing job is done. In addition, the glue won't leave residue in the pores of your work, which ensures you don promise your finish techniques down the road. Once you've invested in the gun that dispenses the glue, the glue sticks themselves are inexpensive. One of my favorite tricks is to use hot glue for holding a workpiece to a sacrificial platform or scrap piece for more practical and safer routing, This technique works really well for small work, where hands and fingers are at risk. By sticking the workpiece toa larger piece, you can safely maneuver the assembly past the bit. ‘There are two approaches you can use. The first is to make a stepped platiorm, which consists of a bottom and a raised platform attached to it. ‘The workpiece sits on the bottom, and you make the platform to the same thickness as the stock you're routing. By having both parts flush with each other, you can now attach ‘guiding jigs to the assembly for more accurate routing, (See top left photo, page 66.) Although practically any material will work for stepped plat forms, I favor melamine-coated parti cleboard {MCP} for the bottom because the glue is easy to remove from its slick surface once the job is done, readying it for the next use,66 seccias novo svsteMs Glue keeps it together. To rout a groove in a plywood part, the author holds itn a stepped jig. Dots of hot glue under the part keep it tight to the jig while cutting The second approach is to glue extensions, or handles, directly to small work. Handles can be made from any material on hand, such as leftover scrap parts or, one of my favorites, wood dowels. (See photo, below.) Dowels will do it. By hot-gluing 3 cou ple of dowels directly to small work you'll keep hands clear of cutters and gain more control ee _ The question always comes up about how much glue to use. In general, it’s best to use dots of glue about, in, in diameter, spaced about 5 to 6 in. apart. (See top photo, right.) When you separate the pieces, the glue spot shouldn't have spread any Jarger than about % in. in diameter, Anything more just makes more work. Once you've dabbed on the glue dots, immediately press the parts together. The glue is very tacky and dries as it cools, so the bond is almost instant Once the routing job is done, I use ‘owo simple tools—an old butcher's knife and a sharp scraper—to sep rate the assembly and remove rem- nant adhesive, (See The Router Toolbox, page 21.| Use the butcher knife as a wedge by slipping it into the seam between the workpiece and the platform or scrap piece, and gen- tly lever with the knife to pop the two pieces apart. If necessary, you Not too much. Be sparing with your ‘glue, 80 you can unclamp the work once the routing is done, Dots about the size of 2 pea hold tenaciously but allow you to release the work without damage. can use the edge of the knife to help cut through the glue spots. Once the pieces are separated, scrape away the old glue with the setaper. Using a Vacuum Clamping System The strongest, quickest, and most convenient clamping system I know is provided by vacuum, By using atmospheric pressure, you can clamp parts quickly and without fuss—and just as easily unclamp them, The system is easy to make yoursell, and consists of two main components: a vacuum plate, which holds the work, and a source of vacuum connected to the plate via an air hose, PICK YOUR VACUUM SOURCE There are two sources of vacuum you can consider. The first is a compres- sor and a venturi valve, through which compressed air blows. The problem with this setup is that the venturi requires the compressor to run continuously to hold clamping pressure, and most compressors ‘would soon burn out running in this- A better and more lasting choice is an electric vacuum pump and motor fitted with the necessary airline fig. 1.) There are three kinds of pumps: diaphragm, rotary vane, and piston, A diaphragm pump is the smallest and most com: pact, and works very well to clamp parts for routing. A rotary-vane pump is also quite small and works equally well for router clamping, as well as other operations such as veneer clamping, In addition, a rotary pump is reasonably priced, rel- atively easy to find, and you can fit the pump to an air tank for situa- tons where you need to hold parts for an extended period. A piston pump is very expensive, and practi ally impossible to repair when it needs attention. I would avoid it Both diaphragm and rotary-vane pumps are easy and inexpensive to repair and maintain. ‘You can find an inexpensive used | pump from surplus equipment cata- Iegs and stores. Be sure you acquire a ‘sscuum gauge (it measures in inches ‘ef mercury—not pounds-per-square S=ch, or psi) before you go pump shopping. Test the pump in the store ‘Me clamps in the way. Using a vacuum ‘gist to hold your work keeps the work: fea surface free of clamps and other seseuctions for easy routing Mutfler, made from plastic botle filled ‘with steel woo! Ground igreen) Neutral white) Hose Exhaust port Motor Vacuum Pate (see fig. 3) s 8 Female quick connect 4 “Leaky valve 9 ‘Male quick connect Male quick connect to see that it measures at least 24 in. of mercury. More is better, but even NASA has trouble building those! Also, look for a pump that has an in port and an out, or exhaust, port with at least % in. pipe threads so airflow won't be restricted. Reducers can be used in larger ports. Once you've located the pump, you'll need to connect it with the corre air-hose fittings, as shown in figure 1 Study the drawing to understand how the air circulates: it's just oppo- site of how we usually think of mov- ing air. From an auto-supply store or | Fig. 1: VACUUM CLAMP ANATOMY ‘Vacuum gauge Hex nipple Male quick connect Female quick connect ao Aiefiter Teo Typical rotary vane pump Coiled air hose discount import store (and some hardware stores}, buy a coiled air hose |without the swivel fittings— they leak), a small inline air filter, and the necessary male and female air hose fittings. The out port of the pump will require a muffler, There are vacuum pump mufflers available, and a used pump may already have one, but most don't, [ made my own mutiler from a discarded plastic vitamin bottle stuffed with steel wool. Connect the muffler to the exhaust port with a length of hose from the port and into oA knee is better than hands. The ‘author uses her knee to push a plywood paddle when turning on and off her pump, keeping her hands free for more important tasks. the bottle’s cap. Drill a series of holes in the bottom of the bottle to allow air to escape. The steel woo! does a great job of mutfling the sound. You'll find that many used pumps don't have an on/off switch. A simple toggle switch mounted in an electri- cal box will work, Make sure the switch is rated for 15 amps and wired for 110 volt, For added conven- ience, I made a “bump” switch by hinging a shop-made wooden paddle over a heavy-duty push button switch, as shown in figure 2. Clamp or serew the switch in range of your knee. While both hands are busy get- ting ready to rout, you simply bump the paddle to turn on the pump. The clamping action is nearly instanta- neous. Bump the paddle again to turn it off, (See photo, above.) USE A VARIETY OF VACUUM PLATES ‘The heart of the vacuum system is the vacuum plate which holds the Fig. 2: BUMP SWITCH Make wood parts from ‘in. plywood. Plastic electrical box: Blank electrical cover — Dri hole through cover for switch workpiece. A closed loop of gasket material adhered to the plate creates a chamber in which the vacuum can create pressure to hold the work. (See fig. 3.) It's best to make different size plates for different routing jobs. Plates must be “leakproof,” so it’s important to use a non-porous material. I've found that painted MDF is inexpensive and ‘works well, but MCP will work if you apply a coat or two of shellac or paint on any exposed edges, such as the vacuum hole or any sawn edges. Drill a hole in the plate for the hose fitting. Then use either self-adhesive, closed-cell insulation tape or special- ized vacuum tape (available from the companies that supply vacuum clamping systems} — Clamp or serew to bench or other fixture at knee height Butt hinge Push button switch, 15 amp LLacate one third up from bottom of eover and wire for 110 volt To motor Arrange the tape in a closed loop so it surrounds the vacuum hole and creates a chamber, Make the cham- ber as large as is practical, ideally about § in. square, which will pro- vide almost 100 psi of holding power. (See bottom left photo, opposite page.) Keep in mind that chambers can be too big. If you find that the workpiece distorts when it’s clamped to the plate, make the chamber smaller, For really small parts, 1 make a vacuum “wand,” which is particularly useful for router table operations. (See middle right photo, opposite page.| Experiment with chamber layouts to see what works best for you. To make it easy to clamp my plates, I often screw a ‘wood cleat under them and grip them in my bench vise: VACUUM PLATE Painted MOF or other non-porous material Chamber Gasket material Dail vacuum hole through Mate quick plate to ft connect fiting 4 hose fitting, fend Voinon Clamp it to a pla Removing your work from the vacu- uum plate requires that the vacuum seal be broken. If simply turning off the pump breaks the seal, it’s a clear sign your plate is leaking, so be sure to correet the seal or clamp failure can result. A good seal should be impossible to separate by hand. To break the seal, I use a “leaky” valve, as shown in figure 1 To make the valve, buy a plastic ball valve and drill an ‘in, hole just slightly past center on the workpiece side of the valve. Be sure to turn the valve halfway open before drilling, and drill carefully, retracting the bit as soon as you break through the valve body so you don't damage the ball and render the valve useless. ‘Connect the leaky valve to your air line, To break the seal, simple turn the valve off and the vacuum is closed loop of gasket material surrounds a hole, through which the vacuum draws air. Simply place the stock on the plate, turn on the pump, ‘and you're ready to rout. instantly collapsed. (See bottom. photo, below.) Keep in mind that your vacuum clamping system can be upgraded for veneer clamping with the addition of one-way valves and a vacuum bag, so don't hesitate to add this valuable system to your shop as Stuck from above. For holding small stuff, make a smaller plate and connect it toa handle made from PVC pipe. Quick work necting the hose fiting, simply turn the valve to break the vacuum seal and release the workpiece70 Asie ROUTER TECHMOUES Basic Router Techniques here are several essential I router techniques that make atting joints a whole lot easi- x, more accurate, and much safer. If you practice the following tips your router joinery will become more effective and more enjoyable. Measuring and Marking Stock The first step towards good joinery is stock preparation: milling wood to the proper thickness, ripping it to width, and cutting it to length. If you tee take your time during the milling process and pay attention to the par: ticular characteristics of the wood. you're sizing, you'll discover impor- tant information that will help you set up your routing operations more accurately. Proper measuring technique goes hand-in-hand with stock preparation, ‘There's an old adage that says, “Measure the work, not the waste.” For example, when marking a board to length, mark the length you want and make a cut at that mark. You don't first measure the entire board, subtract the amount to be removed, and then measure that amount from the end of the board. Aside from being awkward, this adds a compli- cated math operation that encou ages mistakes, However, sometimes you're forced to measure the waste, such as when ting up a cutter to a specific depth or length in relation to a guide or fence—a common task in router work, In cases like this, remember to measure the thickness of the stock first so you can determine how much the bit needs to remove and the amount of material that will be left after routing. At this point, your measurement must be quite exact— measuring for dovetails is a good example—and your best bet is to use dial calipers for accuracy. (See The Router Toolbox, page 21.) Marking is another key aspect for cutting good joints. You'll find many references to marking stock in the book so that router operations will ‘occur where you intend them. This is important, because with the price of today’s lumber we can't afford cut ting mistakes. The most important mark you can make is a reference edge. This is the first mark you make, often on the long edge or the end of a board. Once you've designat: ed a particular edge with your mark, you reference all subsequent marking or cutting sequences from this mas- ter mark. Tuse the letter "R” for my reference mark, but you can write any symbol you likeBASIC ROUTER TECHNIQUES Jn line with the fence. A small rule is handy for aligning a bit bearing with the fence. While holding the rule against the fence, pivot the fence until the bearing ‘comes in contact with the rule. Be consistent when marking from piece to piece, so reference edges are complementary from one part of the project to another. For example, if you're building a bookcase with shelves dadoed into the sides, desi nate the bottom end of each case side as the reference edge, and lay ‘out your dadoes referencing these ‘edges. Then lay the long sides edge to edge to confirm that the shelves will be parallel with each other and perpendicular to front of the case. By wesing reference marks on your work, you'll make your joints more accu- ately and with a lot fewer mistakes, Hand-Held or Router Table? ‘Once you've milled your stock to dimension, you now face the choice Between using a hand-held router or she router table to cut your joints. So ow do you choose which one to sese? First, remember that the router table is the best choice for routing searrow or small stock. It's risky and fefeen downright dangerous to use a Band-held router for this type of work, because the workpiece itself doesn't offer enough support to stabi- lize the router's baseplate, On the other hand, it’s better to use a hand-held router for really big stulf ‘The best approach is to clamp your stock to a worksurface and take mul- tiple passes to achieve the final cut {see Taking Incremental Cuts, page 75). With this approach, you're mov- ing a relatively lightweight router rather than muscling a big chunk of ‘wood across a table, which will quickly tire you and often results in inconsistent cuts. Using a Router Table Fence When you're cutting joints on the router table, you'll quickly come to appreciate using a fence. Once you learn how to set one up correctly, your joint cutting will become much more accurate. Remember that one of the nice things about using a fence is that you can choose practically any type of bit, which increases your joint-cutting repertoire, However, keep in mind that routing with a fence limits you to straight cuts only Setting the fence to the bit accurately is one of the keys to good fence tech: nique. I've simplified this routine with the fence shown in the book (see Router Table, page 38) by design- ing one that pivots at one end. Often, the simplest approach is to eyeball the desired distance from the bit and simply pivot the fence into position, then tighten the lock knob. Other times you'll need to align the fence flush with a bearing when ‘working with piloted bits, The trick is to place the edge of a small rule against the fence at the level of the bearing, then pivot the fence until the rule touches the bearing, (See top photo, left When you need to dial in the fence to a specific measurement, you can use a bit gauge and a bit of simple ‘math. For example, let's say you want to make an odd-size rabbet and your rabbet bit set doesn’t have the correct diameter bearing for the desired rabbet width. Start by choos: ing a straight bit whose diameter is larger than the rabbet width, Now calculate the distance needed from the outside edge of the bit to the fence and set the bit gauge to that amount. Rotate the router bit so the gauge touches the comer of one of its cutting edges, and pivot the fence until it contact the gauge, as shown, in the photo, below. Lock the fence and you're done Easy bit setup. With a bit gauge set to the desired width of cut, set the fence by pivoting it until the b's cutting edge ‘contacts the gauge. Making a Zero- Clearance Fence Some cutters, such as the lock miter bit (see page 118), yield better results with less tearout when you provide “"zero clearance,” or the smallest pos- sible gap between the bit and the fence. In addition, cutting with a zero-clearance fence is generally safer for any type of cut, since offeuts and even the workpiece itself can’t getBit makes the fence. Use the bit you'll be routing with to create a 2er0-clearance fence by clamping a piece of plywood to the fence and rotating the assembly into the spinning bit ‘wedged or pulled into the gap between the bit and fence. To create a zero-clearance fence, sim: ply install your existing fence on the table and then clamp a piece of # in. plywood against the face of the fence. Raise the bit to the desired height, turn on the router, and slowly pivot the fence into the spinning cutter, as shown in the photo, above. Adjust the fence until the bit is completely buried in the plywood, but make sure you don’t rout through the fence’s base. Unclamp the temporary fence and reverse its face so the torn side is now against the table fence and reclamp. Now you can reset the fence for your specific cut. Routing Without a Fence You'll want to remove the fence when it comes to routing irregular shaped parts. This setup requires a bit with a bearing since the wood must reference against something to yield a consistent cut. Keep in mind that any shaped or curved edges whose inside radii are bigger than the diameter of the cutter can be routed. Smaller radii will need smaller-diam- eter bearings. When working with a bearing-guided bit, it’s important to begin the cut safely, For years woodworkers have advocated using a starting pin, onto which you place the work and then Heol starts the cut. You can safely start {an un-fenced cut by planting the heel of ‘your left hand on the table and then piv- cting the work into the cutter. pivot it into the cutter to commence routing, The problem with this approach is that once the cut has begun and you no longer need the pin, its in the way, A simpler and better method is to use the heel of your left hand as the starting pin. ‘The technique is easy once you prac- tice it a few times. Plant the heel of your hand on the table, place the work against your hand, and pivot the work into the cutter with your opposite hand and onto the bearing, using the skiing technique (see page 75). Once the workpiece makes con: tact with the bearing, you can pick up you hand and continue routing. ‘The process of starting the cut and then routing along the edge should happen in one smooth, continuous ‘motion, (See bottom photo, left.) When routing around the shape of the piece, plan to have your hands on opposite sides of the bit at all times as a safety measure and for better control. Even if you rout off the end of the work, your hand will still be around another corner before it can encounter the bit. Setting Bit Height and Depth One of the keys to accurate joints is setting the bit precisely to the right depth or height. The sequence for setting the bit differs between fixed- base and plunge routers, and each tool requires a specific approach, ‘When setting the bit depth on a fixed-base router, there are two tools Luse to get the bit set to exactly the right height. When I need a specific measurement I use a commercial bit gauge [see page 22). This gauge has positive settings divided into 32nd’s of an inch, which lets you dial in very precise settings. Once you've set the desired bit height on the gauge,Fig. 1: SETTING THE BIT WITH A PLUNGE BASE 1. Place the router on the work and lower the bit until it touches the surface of the work. Turn the turret and lower the depth rod Lunt it contacts the lowest land. Zero the indicator onthe scale Seale Depth rod Lowest land on turret Bit Workpiece 2. Raise the rod until the hairline ‘on the indieator is at your dosired depth setting, and lock the rod, Raise the bit. Lock hairline at desired bit depth _/ Space between rod and lowest land equals cuting depth BASIC ROUTER TECHNIQUES 73, Two hands free. Using a bit gauge to set the bit depth leaves your hands free for adjusting and locking in the setting place the gauge on the router's base- plate, where it will stand up by itself. This frees up both hands so you can move the bit up or down in the router and then tighten the base to lock in the setting. (See photo, above. | My second favorite bit setting tool is a small block of hardwood, cut to x1 x2 in,, or any dimensions that suit the particular work you're doing You can use the block to gauge all sorts of bit setups. For example, when you need to determine how much of a bead you might want with a beading bit, place the block on the router's baseplate and next to the bit before you make the cut to get direct, visual feedback on just how big the bead will be. Or when you're trying to set up a roundover bit so it will cut flush with the work, place the block on the router again and use your finger to feel the corner of the bit where it rests against the block. If it feels flush, your cut will be flush, Another good example is when set: ting up a bit for routing a chamfer. Simply place the block against theVisual feedback. To help set the bit depth, place a block of hardwood next to the cutting edge of the bit to show how much material the bit will cut chamfer bit to see precisely how wide the facet of the chamier will be, as shown in the photo, above Setting the bit depth on a plunge router takes a little more effort than. when using a fixed-base router because plunge routers have different bit-setting mechanisms, as shown in are 1, Follow the steps shown in he drawing to dial in your setting exactly where you need it. Once you've set the depth, you're ready to rout. Turn on the router and plunge the bit until the depth rod touches the land, then feed the router along the cut. Once you've made the cut, raise the bit clear of the stock before turning off the router, then wait until the bit stops spinning before you move the router off the stock. If you need to make incremental cuts (see ‘opposite page, set up the depth of ccut as described above, then turn the turret until the highest land fits under the depth rod. Make a pass then turn the n to the next highest land. and repo: sitioning the turret in this mann until you've reached the lowest land, Making Safe and Accurate Cuts We all know how important safety is when it comes to routing, In addi ing in a safe manner results xy because it affords you more control over the process, which results in fewer mis- takes and better cuts. The following, information should he! approach the art of routing joints in a controlled and secure manner. in increased ace SPEED AND FEED I's important that you understand feed and speed when it comes to routing joints. Speed refers to the rotational speed of the router's sp dle. This is a fixed quantity (which can be altered on routers with vari able-speed motors} and it’s deter- mined by the router, not you. Feed is two things. It refers to the direction you move the router and the bit past the work, and also the rate at which that pass is made. You and your technique determine the correct ed. Moving the router in a specific direc- tion is discussed in detail below (see Conventional or Climb Cut?, oppo: Both this technique and the feed rate will impact how cleanly you cut, as well as whether or not you experience burning, For example, moving the router too slowly past certain woods can produce excessive friction from the bit and burn the wood. Conversely, moving too fast results in tearout or inconsistent cuts, Different materials will require different kinds of feed. The best way to learn the right feed is to practice on every specific operation. Luckily, every joint setup requires you to make a practice cut, which is your opportunity to help you to learn the correct feed for any given situation Save your fingers. A pair of commercial featherboards attached to both the fence ‘and the table keeps your hands clear of the cut and affords more controlTAKING INCREMENTAL CUTS Incremental cutting means that only a portion of a profile or cut is made with each pass until the final cut achieved. This is an important safety issue, because taking too big a bite in one pass can throw a workpiece or unexpectedly pull your hands into the cut. And taking incremental cuts results in a much smoother finish. Adjusting the cutter up through the table or down through the base is one method. The other approach is to creep up on the final depth of cut by moving the fence a bit at a time Tpically, you should make your cuts n increments of % in. ess. Let your work be your guide The more material you have to remove, the smaller your increment should be. For example, the routed bevel on a raised panel offers a very jong profile, and cuts in inerements, of Vs in, or less are needed for a smooth, safe finish sometimes USING FEATHERBOARDS. When routing narrow stock on the router table, featherboards are finger rs. In addition, they afford more control and result in smoother, more jeanly cut surfaces. If you mill a nallow dado into a tall router table race (sce Router Table, page 38), you position a commercial feather board on the fence to help place pres on the work directly over the et. It's wise to install a second herboard to the table itself to pro- wide lateral pressure against the stock See bottom photo, oppostite page.) CONVENTIONAL OR CLIMB cuT? ding work into the cutter is a con- tional cut, while feeding into the side of the bit is known as a it, In most cases, a conven: Know your rotation. Arrows marked on fences, tables, and routers let you know which direction the cutter is spinning, which helps you feed your work in the right direction, tional cut is the appropriate choice. But when the grain is unpredictable or particularly curly and prone to tearing, your final pass should be a climb cut. Be aware that climb cues can be dangerous because the feed direction is the same as the rotation of the cutter. This situation tends to pull the workpiece faster than you ‘want it to go. Caught unaware, you can have your hands unintentionally dragged into the cutter in router table operations, or you can be thrown off balance when routing with a hand. held router. So study the cut, and if you choose to climb cut, make sure you take a very light pass. Knowing when the router is cutting conventionally or making a climb cut can often confuse us. A good trick that helps verify which way the cut is going to go is to mark your router with arrows indicating the rotation of the cutter, Do this on the base and on the motor. Also mark the rotation on the router tabletop and on the horizontal plate (if your router table has one), In addition, mark the feed direction on the router tabletop and. the horizontal plate. (See photo, above.| These little arrows are easy to draw and will remind you to rout in your chosen direction—no matter which operation you're using, SKIING INTO THE CUT ‘Skiing” into the cut eliminates burning and unintentionally routing around corners. I call it skiing because it resembles the lifting and landing action of the popular winter time sport, The basic technique can be used with a hand-held router or on the router table. (See figure 2.) Begin a cut by starting about | in, in from the end of the work. Using a slanting movement, steer the router {if you're in a hand-held situation) or move the 7ssaastc RoureR Teciowaues Fig. 2: HOW TO SKI INTO THE CUT 1. Start cut about 1 in. from end, moving workpiece (or bit) at an angle re bit mere Feed <« 2, Finish the uncut end by reversing the feed direction, again approaching ‘the work at an angle workpiece [if you're working on the router table| so the cutter approaches the work at an angle and then makes full contact with its edge. Keep the router (or the workpiece, depending on your situation) moving at all times, and continue to move it until ‘you reach the end of the board. This approach prevents burning. Now go back to the first 1 in. of uncut material and, as before, ski into the cut, but this time move in the opposite direction, or climb cut, and rout to the end. This method leaves reliably crisp comers. ROUTING REALLY SMALL PIECES Routing small parts presents a real safety hazard, and requires you to take an alternative approach to hold- ing your work. When a piece is smaller than your hand, the easiest and safest method is to use hot glue to hold it to a larger piece of scrap, such as a leftover piece of the project you're working on ot a piece of ply- wood. (See The Secret of Hot Glue, page 65.) This trick keeps your hands a safe distance from the bit. ‘And there's a bonus: The glue is easy to pop off so you can quickly reapply more glue and reposition your stock for another cut. Safe Routing Habits There are a few key safety routines that I follow whenever T rout in my shop. Once you become familiar with them, you and your work will be safer and you'll have more control over the cut + Always unplug the router when changing bits or making adjust ments, + Make sure the bit is clear of the ‘wood before turning the router on. + Never hold the router in the air while turning it on or off + Check that the base makes firm contact with the work or jig before bringing the spinning bit into play. + Plan the cutting sequence so your body movement is comfortable, with your weight well within your center of balance. If it doesn't feel good, don't do it, + Change whatever you need until you're comfortable, be it your body stance, your clothing and geat, ot the particular setup. + In the middle of a routing job, but during a point when you're not routing, stand the router on its head on your bench, out of the way. Both the bit and you will be safe until you're ready to make the next cut. + Unplug the router if you're going to be away from your work for awhile. It’s too easy to forget that it’s plugged in. ROUTER FLIGHT CHECK The “router flight check” is similar to the flight check a pilot makes before taking off in an airplane. A pilot’s check covers all the important things. It’s always done in the same order, and it’s committed to memory. ‘Most important, it's done every time before taking off. In the same way, the checklist below should be done every time you're about to turn on. your router, and should begin with the router unplugged. To help me memorize the sequence, I have a mantra: tight, right, tight, set, off, clear, on, Here's what it means: + Is the bit tight in the collet? + Is the bit at the right height? + Is the base-tightening mechanism tight? + On a variable-speed router, is the speed set correctly? + Is the switch off? * Will the pass be elear, no clamps in the way, cord won't get caught somewhere, ete.? * Put safety gear on, When you've gone through the list, and checked everything out, you can safely plug in the router. Make sure the bit is clear of the stock, turn on the machine, and proceed.SECTION 2:Fe masers Rabbets THROUGH RABBET Stopped shoulder plest joints in woodworking, In fact, rabbets are really one-half of a joint, since a mating member always makes the connection. Rabbets ‘can be milled into either end grain or long grain, or along straight or curved edges, Either a hand-held router or the router table can be used to make these joints. \ rabbet is a notch cut into the edge of wood, and it's one of the sim- —— APPLICATIONS Rabbets are commonly used to let in fa back panel in a cabinet, a tech: ‘nique which hides the edge of the panel from the public when viewed from the side of the cabinet. This is particularly useful if your back pan- {ls are made from plywood, as the rabbet conceals the raw plywood edges. In addition, the shoulder of a rabbet helps resist racking and strengthens the joint. Another use for rabbets is to reduce the thickness of a panel or shelf so it can be inserted into a dado or groove. For example, drawer backs are often fitted into rabbets cut into drawer sides, permitting quick and easy drawer construction. You can mill rabbets on both faces of the work to create stub tenons or tongues. (As a bonus, by making Stock Preparation In general, since you size a rabbet to fit the part that it mates, it’s best to cut your stock to final length, width, and thickness. Routing Rabbets Choose from the following five setups for your particular application, and be sure to practice them all IRREGULAR SMALL STOCK ‘The router table is the ideal plat form for routing rabbets in smallz multiple passes, you can even mill long tenons on long stock.) One example of using rabbets is with table buttons, ‘which have a tongue that engages a groove in a table frame for securing a tabletop. You'll find buttons used on the Small Table project in this book (see page 148), WHAT'S NOT COVERED ve omitted the use of template guides for cutting rabbets because they require confusing math to establish the correct offset, and all too often the fon-concentricity of the guide to the bese results in undulating rabbet ‘widths, complicating the assembly process. Another setup you won't find is the use ‘of router edge guides. While it’s cer- ‘inly possible to use edge guides to make rabbets along straight edges, | gon't recommend the practice. This 20d irregularly shaped workpieces, ssuch as curved box sides or wooden Bundles, £. Using a rabbet bit set, choose a Searing that provides the width of spour desired rabbet and, with the seeuter unplugged, install it in the outer 2 Install the router in the router Sable and adjust the bit height equal fe the desired depth of the rabbet ‘(See Setting Bit Height and Depth, Pax: 72, and photo, right.) If your seabbet is going to be more than / in. =p (which is uncommon), plan to ‘operation calls for more than half of, the router's base to hang out in thin air ‘without the stock's suppor, risking tip ping of the router and unwanted stock femoval. f you do decide to try your hand at rabbeting with an edge guide, | suggest you equip your router with an offset baseplate for more support. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW + the thickness of the material you're fitting into the rabbet + the width of the rabbet your material is fastening into or the width of the groove or dado receiving a panel or shelf + whether the rabbet will be cut into a straight or curved edge + the shape of the stock, whether it's straight, curved, large, small, long grain or end grain make the cut in increments, not in one pass, 3, Place the stock on the table and make a dry run (with the router ‘unplugged and the switch turned to the “off” position) to assure yourself of the cutting sequence. (Review Routing Without a Fence, page 72.) (One safety note: Is the piece smaller than your hand? If so, review Routing Really Small Pieces (page 76| and secure the work to a larger scrap block. JIGS + push sled (page 49) + shoulder gauge (see fig. 1) + offset baseplate (page 52) + router tracking system (page 54) + router table and fence BITS AND TOOLS + rabbeting bit set + spiral, straight, or mortising bits + bit gauge + calculator hot glue gun Set the height. The author adjusts a bit {gauge to the desirad depth of the rabbet, then raises the bit until it touches the gauge. ”80 pasoers Bearing determines width. Ride the ‘work against the bit’s bearing to rout the rabbet to the correct width. 4, Perform the router flight check (see page 76) and plug in the router, Using the heel of your left hand, rotate the stock into the spinning bit and onto the bearing, Move the work from right to left as you face the bit to rout the rabbet along the edge. {See photo, above.) Bit gauge again. Setting the depth of cutis identical to router table work by setting a bit gauge to the rabbet depth, and using the gauge to adjust the amount the bit protrudes form the baseplate. From right to left. Rout against the cutter rotation by orienting the cut away from you and moving the router from your right to your let LONG GRAIN IN LARGE STOCK Large work is best tackled with a hand-held router equipped with an offset baseplate. 1, Select a bearing for the rabbet bit set for your desired rabbet width and, with the router unplugged, instal it in the router. Then attach the offset baseplate to the router. 2. Set the bit height equal to the desired depth of the rabbet. (See photo, left. If you're routing a rabbet deeper than % in., plan on taking. incremental cuts by adjusting the bit a little deeper with each pass 3. Secure the stock to the bench with clamps or with a vacuum setup. (See Special Holding Systems, page 65.) 4, Position the router on the stock, with the bit's bearing against the edge, and make a dry run to make sure power cords and clamps are out of the way 5, Camry out the router flight check, and plug in the router. Start the router with the bit and bearing off the work, then rout the rabbet by moving the router from right to left with the cut facing away from you photo, above.} LONG GRAIN IN SMALL STOCK Using a fence on the router table is @ smart approach when routing long. grain rabbets in small stock 1, Install a spiral bit in your router's collet, and secure the router in the router table, Another option is to use a rabbet bit set, but make sure the bearing doesn’t protrude or interfere with the fence when guiding the stock. For the best cut, choose a bit whose diameter is at least twice the width of the rabbet, For example, aKoop it tight. Uso a pair of feather- boards to maintain pressure against the ‘work and hold it snug against the fence fd table. in -wide rabbet should be made with a % in. bit. Smaller diameter bits risk tearing out the grain. 2 With the router unplugged, adjust the bit height to the desired rabbet depth and use a bit gauge to help set the fence for the desired width of the rabbet 3. Attach a pair of featherboards to she fence and table, using the stock align the featherboards so they place pressure against the work. (See Photo, above.) 4 Perform the router flight check ‘zed plug in the router. Rout the rab- bet, feeding the stock at an even pace past the bit. END GRAIN IN SHORT STOCK Jes like when you're working with Seae-grain rabbets in small stock, it sakes sense to use a fence on the ‘seater table when routing end-grain sabbets. The addition of a push sled ‘seakes this cut safe and predictable. E festall a spiral, straight, or rabbet Se st in your router motor, and ‘secure the router in the router table, ‘Ye Yen. plywood \ Fence Desired rabbet oF tenon width ) aes Position gauge's fence against ond fof work, and clamp router track ‘against opposite end. If you use a rabbet set, make sure the bearing won't interfere with the fence. 2. With the router unplugged, set the bit height to your desired rabbet depth. 3. Use a bit gauge to set the fence for the desired width of the rabbet. 4, Complete the router flight check and plug in the router. Rout the rab- Track for router tracking system (see page 54) Shoulder line Fig. 1: SHOULDER GAUGE Caleuate the width of the plywood (x) withthe formula: X= (V2bit dia.) ~ (ence width) +4 USING THE GAUGE SS workpiece bet by guiding the work with the sled, moving the stock from right to leit as you face the fence. (See top left photo, page 82.) END GRAIN IN LONG STOCK Long stock is cumbersome and dan- gerous to rout on the router table, especially when routing end-grain rabbets on the narrow end of a board, The most reliable method is to use a hand-held router guided by a router tracking system. A shop-made2 Sled makes it safe. Use a push sled to ‘uide wide work when routing a rabbet ‘on the end grain of a board. shoulder gauge lets you quickly and accurately position the system's fence, as shown in figure 1 Note that the following procedure works equally well to mill tenons on the ends of long stock. All you do is repeat the cutting sequence on both sides of the stock to form the tenon, To determine how much material to take off each side of the board, start with your desired tenon thickness, subtract the thickness of the stock, and divide by two. Remember that this method works for tenons up to about 2 in. Longer tenons—which, thankfully, are unusual in general woodworking—require a different methodology, such as using the table saw or bandsaw. 1, Draw the shoulder line of the desired rabbet (or tenon) onto the stock, measuring its width (or the tenon's length) from the end of the stock, 2. Clamp the stock to your bench with 12 in, or so beyond the edge of the bench. 3, Use the shoulder gauge to position and fasten the router tracking sys: tem’s track onto the workpiece. [See top left photo, page 84.| (Continued on page 84.) Look for the line. A clear sight of the stop line through the router base is essential for stopping a rabbet by hand. Stopping the Rabbet ‘Stopped rabbets are handy for all sorts of furniture work, especially ‘when you want to conceal the end of a part, such as a rabbetted box top or the top of a cabinet’s back panel. There are two approaches to cutting stopped rabbets: You can Use a hand-held router, or you can ‘make the cut on the router table. WITH A HAND-HELD ROUTER This method employs some hand and eye coordination, but it's fool- proof and simple once you under- stand the principles involved. it works particularly well with long or heavy stock, 1, Mark a shoulder line on the stock where you want the rabbet to stop. 2. Peering through the center hole of the router's base, rout in an even feed speed right up to the line, then immediately reverse direction and pull the router and the bit back and away from the shoulder. Don't stop ‘against the shoulder line, or the wood will burn. If you didn’t quite reach the line with the first pass, repeat the pro- cedure by moving the bit deliberately to the line, then retreating as before. (Soe photo, above.) ON THE ROUTER TABLE ‘This technique requires more layout and takes a little more practice than the hand-held method, but once you get the knack of it, it's very accurate. Use this method for small to medium-sized parts. 1, Mark a shoulder line on the stock for the stopped rabbet. Using a small square, transfer the line over the edge ‘and onto the opposite face. If you want to stop the rabbet at both ends, repeat the layout at the opposite end of the board. On the non-rabbeting side, mark the left line (as the board faces you) with an “L" and the right line with an ".’‘Square up your lines. Use # large draft fing triangle placed against the cutting ‘edges of the bit to establish stop lines on the fence, 2 Move the fence so it straddles the ‘center of the bit. Raise the bit well ‘above the table and place a drafting t ‘zngle against the fence and just touch- Jing the left edge of the bit (router off ‘2nd unplugged, please). Mark a line on “the fence. Use the same procedure to ‘mark a second line to the right of the [Be as shown in the photo, above. “These two marks outline the edges of “the bit, and will tell you exactly where ‘the bit stops cutting. Lower the bit below the table and lay $e workpiece on the router table, with “the face to be rabbetted down on the “Sbietop and the edge to be rabbetted ‘2e2inst the fence. Align the “R” on the Make your marks. A "1" and the letter ‘tell you where to stop the rabbet on [Pe far end of the board. Watch your marks. Pivot the work Into the cutter, and push it along the fence ‘ntl the line on the stock meets the fon the fence, stock with the line on the right side of the bit. It may be necessary to use a ‘small block (see page 31) to assist in matching the lines. Without moving the board, draw a third line on the left end of the fence, following the left end of the stock. Use a drafting triangle to extend the line above the stock. Mark this line as "1." I's the first line you'll rout to. (See bottom photo, left.) ‘Square the ends. Uso a sharp chisel to square up the rounded ends left by the bit. 4. Repeat the previous step, this time aligning the “L” line on the stock with the line on the left side of the bit, then marking a line on the right end of the fence at the right fend of the stock. Extend that line above the stock as before, and mark this line as “2." 5. Adjust the bit height for the rab- bet depth and set the fence for the rabbet width 6. Perform the router flight check, and review Skiing into the Cut (see page 75). Rout the rabbet by skiing into the cut near the left end of the stock (but between the lettered lines) and pushing the board from right to left as you face the fence. (See top photo, middle.) As soon as the line on the board meets the line ‘on the fence, pivot the near end away from the fence. Don't dwell, or the bit will burn the wood. 17. To stop the rabbet at the opposite ‘end, repeat the previous step. Note that this will be a climb cut, so be sure to review Conventional or Climb Cut? (see page 75). As before, ski into the cut, again starting near ‘the left end of the stock (into the already milled rabbet), then push the work from left to right (as you face the fence). Pivot the work away from the fence as soon as the line ‘on the stock meets the line on the fence. ‘The finished stopped rabbets will have rounded ends, which you can clean up with a few deft cuts from a chisel. (See photo, left.)84 DADOES, GROOYES, AND SLOTS: Gauge, then ‘gauge clamped against the end of the ‘workpiece, clamp the router track against the gauge. rack. With the shoulder 4 Install a bit in your router, using a spiral or mortising bit that's greater than the intended width of the rab- bet. [You won't have this option when making really wide tongues or tenons, so use the biggest bit you have.) 5, Install the tracking system’s base: plate to your router, For now, keep the bit clear of the bottom of the baseplate, but nearly flush with it until called to set the bit depth. Position the router assembly over the rail on the fence and double-check the alignment of the baseplate to the fer 6, Make a practice run with the router riding along the tracking sys- tem, checking that the perimeter of A simple push. Once the track is clamped to the work, simply push the router away from you to rout the rabbet. Routing tenons. Arter cutting the shoulder with the router riding on the track, take ‘multiple passes by disengaging the router and cutting freehand to the end of the tenon. the bit just touches the shoulder Line and that the power cord doesn’t snag on something, 7. Set the bit to the depth of the rabbet 8, Do the router flight check and plug in the router, Rout the rabbet by pushing the router away from you, as shown in the photo, lett. The technique is identical when routing a tongue or tenon that’s longer than your bit's diameter, by making the first pass with the router gaged in the fence as described above. Then, to lengthen the tenon, lift the baseplate off the fence after the frst pass and make multiple passes to the end of the stock, as shown in the photo, above Practice Projects If you've practiced all of the rabbets described here, my heartiest congrat ulations! Rabbets are usually com: bined with other joints in woodworking, but you are well on your way to making something use ful. To get you going, there are three projects that involve rabbets: Small Bookcase (page 144), Small Table (page 148), and Router Bit Cabinet (page 150). These projects also require other joints, but go ahead and check them out now to see how rab bets are commonly used in furniture.oes rons, am sors 8 Dadoes, Grooves, and Slots | | Stock Preparation DADOES (One trick to getting really crisp through-dado ends is to leave the stock / in. over final width, make your cuts, and then rip % in. off each edge. This extra step removes any blowout you may experience during > Through groove routing. Stopped dadoes, however, require the stock to be cut to final / Stopped groove size before routing, Through dado —~ GROOVES In general, cut the stock to final size, since you'll need to accurately locate and lay out the groove from the fin- ished reference edge. _/ Rabbeted through slot SLOTS _/ Through slot Tinea eee oe When routing slots with the grain in narrow work, leave the stock oversize in width, then rip it to final size after cutting the slots. Keep in mind that, with all slots, you should work with one finished reference edge from which to lay out and cut the slot Always keep that edge against the fence or jig, and never cut it away. If you're making identical slots in mul- tiple pieces, consider routing all the slots in one blank, then sawing the blank into individual parts of final Stopped edge groove sides milled into the broad face of your stock Dadoes are defined as ‘going across the grain; grooves are oriented with the grain. Slotscan Routing Dadoes, te oriented with or across the grain, go all the way through the stock, and are rpteally cropped at either endtike cibbets all trvee tres of jomts jour with, GLOOVES, and Slots another part to complete the connection, In most cases, dadoes, grooves, and One of the following procedures slots are milled dead straight, either using a hand-held router or on the router should fit your project’ particular table, depending on the appliation. joinery needs. Thy them all on prac- tice stock, and then pick a real proj- ect to use them on. D= and grooves are flat-bottomed channels with straight, squareAPPLICATIONS Dadoes and grooves are used to receive shelves, partitions, and frames. The shoulders on these joints mechanically lock the member, inserted into them. Shelf standards, hinges, and other hardware also require a dado or groove to set them flush with the wood's surface, A through dado is commonly used in cabinetmaking when a face frame will cover the front edge of the case sides and hide the joint. A stopped dado is appropriate for open shelv- ing, where you don’t want to see the shoulders and the bottom of the joint at the shetf-to-case side con. nection. Like a through dado, a through groove exits the edges of the stock (One application is in web frames ‘and frames for dust panels in the interior of fine furniture. Here, the panel as well as the frame's tongues fF tenons fill the grooves. You'll see this application on the bottoms of many chests of drawers. Pull the bottom drawer out of yours; you may see a web frame there, A stopped groove is useful for framework, such as in a frame-and- panel door where you stop the {groove for the panel to leave room for other joinery at the corners, such as biscuits or mortise-and-tenon, Other examples are the panel on the back of a cabinet that slides into a stopped groove, either at the top or bottom of the case, or a box with a sliding lid that stops in one direction, Slots are frequently often used in jig ‘making, a wonderful coincidence for this book! A standard slot is cut through the face of the stock, and allows other parts to pass through, such as a screw (or bolt. This arrangement allows the bolt to slide along the slot. To keep the bolt’s head recessed below or flush with the surface of the work, you'll need to create a rabbeted slot. A variation is to chamfer the slot, such as for a flat-head screw. (See Mortising Fixture, page 55, for examples of both standard and rab- beted slots.) WHAT'S NOT COVERED Grooves made with a commercial router edge guide are not covered here, since | feel there's a risk of rout- ing off your intended path with these devices. Milling a groove in the edge of stock while holding the work precar' ously on its edge on the router table is also not covered. It’s far safer—both for you and your work—to rout the stock either with a mortising fixture or using 2 horizontal router table setup. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW Dadoes + the centerline of the dado + the dado’s width + the dado’s depth + is the dado stopped, or not? Grooves + the groove's shoulder locations rela- tive to the edge of the stock + the groove's width + the groove's depth + is the groove stopped, or not? Slots + the location of the centerline of the slot + the slot’s width + the stock's thickness + the depth and width of the rebbet JIGS + angled dado gauges (see fig. 1) + stepped platform (page 65) + vacuum-clamping jig (page 66) + router tracking system (page 54) + mortising fixture (page 65) + router table with fence and horizon: tal table setup (page 38) BITS AND TOOLS + spiral, straight, or mortising bit; diameter equal to width of dado, groove, slot, or rabbet + bit gauge + calculator + push stick + featherboards + plunge base Dadoes “Try your hand at milling through and stopped dadoes, including angled dadoes THROUGH DADO ‘Through dadoes are best handled with a hand-held router and a router tracking system. For angled dadoes, use a pair of angled dado gauges (see fig. 1) to help with laying out the joint 1. Review Measuring and Marking Stock (see page 70| and label the re erence edge. Calculate the centerline of the dado by taking into account ‘where you want the shoulders of the dado to fall on the work. Divide the diameter of the bit by two, and add that to the distance of the shouldernearest the reference edge of the stock. Draw a mark to indicate the centerline. 2. Usually you'll want a dado that’s square to the edge of the stock. Use square aligned with your mark to draw a line across the stock perpen- dicular to its edge. Furniture has two mirror-image case sides, so it's more accurate to position the two sides together, with their reference edges touching, and draw the line across both at once. This technique insures the dadoes are exactly opposite each other when you assemble the case, and keeps shelves and partitions cor- rectly spaced. (See photo, right.) If you want to rout a dado that angles from the edge of the stock (in other words, anything other than 90°), it’s best to use a pair of angled dado gauges to establish the angled centerlines on the case sides. Start by laying out the centerline as described in step 1. Laying out angled dadoes ‘can be tricky. Take your time, being careful to use the correct gauge for each side. (See bottom photo, right.| After laying out mirror-image center lines on the sides, stand them ‘Two at a time. Align the ends and the back edges of the case pieces, and square your dado locations across both sides. upright and side by side, orienting them as they'll go in the cabinet to check that you've drawn the comple- mentary angles correctly. 3. Equip your plunge router with the router tracking system's baseplate. Fasten the stock to the bench with regular clamps (or see Special Fig. 1: ANGLED DADO GAUGES Use the two gauges for laying out angled dadoes, one forthe “right” side, and 2 mirror-image gauge for the “left” side, Construct jig sau then cut to desired Ys Wein, dado snale plywood Cut opposite gauge to-same angle. Label each gauge. Holding Systems, page 65) and clamp the router track to the stock at the correct distance from th line. Check the distance with the ruler, It must be 4 in, from your line to anywhere along the track. center- 4, Select the bit, install it in the router, and set the bit depth. Gauge the angles. For anglod dadiovs, use an angled dado gauge to mark the centerlinas on aach case piece5, Perform the router flight check (see page 76) and engage the base- plate in the track, with the bit raised clear of the wood, Turn on the router, plunge the bit, and mill the dado. STOPPED DADO Like through dadoes, the setup for cutting a stopped dado involves using a hand-held router and a router tracking system, except you use a stop attached to the track to stop the router at the desired spot 1. Lay out the dado centerline and set up the router tracking system as when routing a through dado |see page 86), 2. Draw a perpendicular line across the dado’s centerline at the spot where you want the dado to stop. Install the bit in the plunge router engage the router in the track, and lower the bit until it almost, but not quite, grazes the surface of the work Slide the router along the track until Stopping the out. A stop block secured to the tracking system's track stops the dado at the correct location. Clean Cuts Across the Gri When you're cutting joints in ply- wood (and in a few super-brittle hardwoods), you have to be extra careful. The veneer on all plywood is. ‘$0 thin that cutting across the grain ‘can result in severe splintering. The ‘secret is to score across the grain with a sharp craft knife precisely along the cutline before sawing or routing. Use a straightedge to guide the knife as you slice, This intial prep work allows the wood fibers to separate cleanly during the cut. the bit touches the stop line. Be sure to rotate the bit so its outermost cor ner touches the line, Without mov- ing the router, fasten a stop on the track so it contacts the baseplate. 3. Set the bit depth and perform the router flight check, turn on the router, and push it until it contacts the stop. (See bottom photo, left.) Don't stop the router when it con: tacts the stop, or you'll burn the wood. Simply touch the stop, and immediately back up the router slightly, Turn the router off, wait for the bit to spin to a halt, and lift the router off the track, Grooves Practice routing through and stopped grooves on the face or edge of the work. THROUGH GROOVE IN WIDE STOCK ‘The setup and routing procedures for this joint are almost identical as when routing a through dado (s page 86) using a hand-held router and the router tracking system. The Slice the shoulders. Use a straight- ‘edge and a craft knife to establish the shoulder lines before you rout or saw the joint. only difference is you rout the groove in the direction of the grain, not across it. THROUGH GROOVE IN NARROW STOCK Narrow stock is best cut on the router table against the fence, where you have more control of the cutting action. 1, Chuck the bit in the router and install the router in the router table. Place the fence on the table, then raise the bit slightly above the table. Small grooving. Routing narrow stock is. accurate and safe if you use 8 feather board to keep the stack against the fence and a push stick to guide the workDetermine where the groove's shoul: ders fall relative to the edge of the stock, and adjust a bit gauge to the shoulder line that’s closer to the fence, Then use the gauge to set the fence. 2. Set the bit height to the depth of the groove. Install a featherboard on the table, orienting it so you can push the stock from right to left as, you face the fence. 3, Perform the router flight check, turn on the router, and guide the stock along the fence with a push stick, as shown in the bottom right photo, opposite page STOPPED GROOVE IN WIDE STOCK Use a hand-held router and a router tracking system equipped with stops for milling a stopped groove. The setup is similar to routing a stopped dado see opposite page). The only difference is you orient the stock so you cut the joint with the grain, not STOPPED GROOVE IN NARROW STOCK Stopping a groove in narrow stock presents some unique problet Avoid the router table, because feath erboards prevent you from lifting the stock up once you've stopped the cut. In addition, your stock is often too long for accurately setting up stops on the router table’s fence. The answer is to use a hand-held router and the router tracking system, while safely holding the workpiece by stick- ing it to a larger board with hot glue or by using a vacuum-clamping arrangement. (See page Special Holding Systems, page 65.] The fol- lowing shows my preferred method of using a vacuum to hold the work, Hold it with vacuum. For stopped grooves in small stock, clamp the workpiece to a vacuum plate and use the router tracking system. 1. Lay out the stopped groove in the same manner as when laying out a stopped dado (see opposite page! making sure to orient the groove with the grain of the work 2. Secure the work to a vacuum plate 3, Set up the router tracking system using the same setup as when mak. ing a stopped dado, 4, Set the bit depth, and make your router flight check. Tarn on the router, push it until it contacts the stop, and immediately pull it back to prevent burning the end of the groove. (See photo, above. THROUGH OR STOPPED EDGE GROOVE Through or stopped grooves cut in narrow edges can be tricky to rout while balancing the stock on edge on the router table. I don’t recommend this approach, For narrow work {stock 3% in. wide or less), the best ‘method is to use a hand-held router and the mortising fixture. Stock wider than this, or longer than the length of the mortising jig, should be cut laying flat and using a horizontal table setup on the router table. IN THE MORTISING FIXTURE Review Mortising Fixture (see page secure the jig to your bench, and equip your plunge router with the fixture’s baseplate and the appropri- ate spiral bit. 1. Lay out the groove, and clamp the work into the mortising fixture. If you want to stop the groove, lay out and mark these areas now, and attach stops to the jig. Clamp the work into the fixture 2, Place the router onto the fixture set the bit depth, and align the bit with the layout on your stock 3. With the bit retracted, make your router flight check. Power up the9 Grooving on the mortiser. Clamp the work in the mortiser and use stop blocks or stop the router by eye to rout a stopped groove, router, plunge the bit, then push the router along the fixture to rout the sroove. [See photo, above.) If you're routing a stopped groove, stop when the router contacts the stop or stop toa marked line by eye, then instant ly pull back the router to avoid any burning. If the groove is deep, make the cut in successively deeper passes. Start from the left. With one end ‘against a stop, pivot the work into the bit Using @ push stick glued to the stock. (ON THE HORIZONTAL TABLE SETUP Review the Horizontal Table Setup {see page 38) and set up the fixture on the router table. 1. Lay out the groove on your stock. If you're stopping the groove, lay out and mark these areas now. ‘Move from left to right. Push the stock along the fence until it contacts the sec: fond stop block. 2. Install a spiral bit in the router, and set the bit depth. Adjust the metal plate, which becomes your fence, to set the bit height. 3, If you're routing a through groove, secure a featherboard to the fence and another to the tabletop, position: ing them to accommodate the thick: ness and width of the stock. For a stopped groove, clamp a stop block at each end of the table at the desired stopping distances. 4, Perform the router flight check and turn on the router. For a through groove, use a push stick to guide the work over the bit. If you're cutting a stopped groove, use hot glue to here the push stick to the stock Place the left end of the work against the left stop (as you face the fence and pivot the work into the bit. [See bottom photo, left.| Once the stock makes full contact with the fence, move the work from left to right with a push stick until its end makes contact with the second stop, as shown in the bottom photo, middle. Immediately pull the work back slightly and, keeping the end against the fence, pivot the workpiece away from the bit. (See photo, below.| Pivot safely away. Once the work con- tacts the stop block, Immediately pivot it away from the bit to prevent burning,Stick it to a jig. Use hot glue to tom porarily hold the work to a stepped plat form. Slots Try routing a standard slot or its variation, a rabbeted slot, STANDARD SLOT Use a hand-held router and the router tracking system set up with stops, With wide stock, use the same setup as when routing stopped dadoes (see page 88) but make sure to mount the setup on a scrap board so you don’t rout through the work and into your workbench. For narrow stock, you use the same track setup, but stick the work to a platiorm with hot glue. (See Special Holding Systems, page 65.) 1. Secure the work to a platform with hot glue, as shown in the photo, above 2, Lay out the slot and its stopped ends using the same technique as when laying out a stopped dado. 3. Set up the router tracking system using the same setup as when mak- ing a stopped dado. Make sure to use two stops on the track, setting them at either end of the slot layout. 4. Set the bit depth slightly deeper than the thickness of the stock, and adjust the plunge router’s turret to cut the slot in two or more passes. Carry out the router flight che and turn on the router. Plunge-cut the slot in successive passes, pushing, the router from stop to stop with each pass. Keep routing until you reach the lowest setting on the router turret and are through the stock. (See photo, right.| 5. Pop the stock off the platform and scrape away any glue residue. RABBETED SLOT Use the same setup as when routing a standard slot (see above}, routing the slot with a hand-held router and the router tracking system and stops. 1. Rout a slot in the work by follow: ing the layout and cutting procedures described in routing a standard slot. Once you've routed the slot, don’t alter the track setup or remove the stock from the platiorm. 2. Unplug the router, and switch bits to one with a larger diameter equal to the desired rabbet width 3. Engage the router and baseplate in the track, and set the bit depth to the desired depth of the rabbet. Make your router flight check, turn on the router, and rout the rabbet by push: ing the router from stop to stop. (See photo, right.| 4. Separate the stock from the plat- form and scrape away any excess ale Practice Projects You've practiced all the dadoes, grooves, and slots. Good for you! You're ready to combine these joints DADOES, GROOVES, AND SLOTS 91 EEE Routing through. With the router riding the router tracking system's track, rout the through slot by plunging through the ‘work and slightly into the jig below. with others found in the book to make a useful woodworking project. Projects that feature dadoes, grooves, and slots are Totebox (page 142} Small Bookcase [page 144), Small Table [page 148), Router Bit Cabinet (page 150, Frame-and-Panel Door (page 153), and Dovetailed Drawer (page 155] Bigger bit; same setup. Without changing the slotcutting setup, rout the rabbat using a larger diameter bit92 sox 10§T Finger Notch APPLICATIONS As the name implies, box joints are Used in box making. When I was ‘young, it was common to see wooden cigar boxes made with this joint. Box joints also make very acceptable cor- ner joints for drawers, which are essentially boxes themselves. ‘The completed joint displays square corners that consist of long grain and tend grain in an attractive, alternating pattern. The fingers are usually evenly ‘spaced, but varied spacing is possible for special effects. You can even round ‘over the completed joint for a softer appearance if you wish. For a mechani- cal lock, you can pin the joint vertically with a wood dowel or metal rod. Or try ‘combining these two approaches by rounding the corners and pinning the fingers. If you assemble the joint with: ‘out glue, you'll create a wooden hinge ‘which can be used for fitting table leaves to tabletops, or anywhere you ‘sized “fingers” on the end of one piece that fit into matching sockets cut into the end of an adjoining piece. It’s an exceptionally strong joint because it provides about three times the glue surface of a butt joint. T: box joint, also known as a finger joint, is comprised of identically Stock Preparation ‘The width of the stock must equal a multiple of the bit’s diameter. For example, a 2/s:in.-high box can have % or 4 in. fingers, but not ¥ in. Simply divide the desired height by the bit diameter, rounding off any divisions to a whole number, and cut your stock to that width. The length of the two sides and two ends must equal the finished dimen- sions of the box, because the fingers interlock. The cut ends must be precise- ly 90°, so set your crosscut saw carefullyneed an extension. For example, | used the box joint as a hinge for building a flip-up extension for my workbench. WHAT'S NOT COVERED Veriable-spaced sockets and fingers are not discussed, because they're a horse of another color in their execution and. require different marking, jigs, and pro- cedures. However, once you have more routing experience under your belt, fee! {ree to tackle this more challenging aspect of the joint. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW + thickness of the stock + sizo of the intended box (height, width, and length) + lay out the joint so you start and end with whole fingers or sockets + width of box sides must equal a mul- tiple of the bit diameter ‘all errors are accumulative, 50 make your setup precise! Marking the Stock Number each piece in the order it ‘goes around the box, such as front end, right side, back end, and left side. Also, letter each comer in the ame order, and indicate the top of each piece. Place all your marks on the outside faces. Make sure to choose which pieces will start with a finger or a socket, and mark them accordingly. I like to mark an “X" where all the sockets will go to remind me where wood needs to be removed. JIGS + box joint jig (see page 46) + router table BITS AND TOOLS + spiral bit equal in diameter to the size fingers desired + fooler gauge + dial calipers + calculator + small hardwood block (see page 31) Note: Spiral bits are best, because they cut the end grain fibers crisply. For % in. box joints, try a %in. diame- ter mortising bit rather than a stan: dard straight bit. bit with negative shear angle is best for clean cuts. For a nice touch and a mark of fine craftsmanship, it’s worth matching the grain in a continuous pattern all this by marking the pieces in the correct the way around the box. Prac order, Setting Up and Making Test Cuts 1. Set up the router table so the bot: tom faces up for box joint-making Mount a router base in the table, install the bit in the motor, and posi- tion the motor in the base. soxsont 93, 2, Set the bit height equal to the thickness of your practice stock by laying the stock next to the bit and raising the bit until it’s level with the top of the stock. Since sharp bits can draw blood, use a small hardwood block rather than your finger to determine when the bit and the stock are flush. 3. Make and install a fresh backer board for the box joint jig. Install the jig into the groove in the router table, and move it adjacent to the bit. 4. Once the jig is set up correctly, your box finger width should equal the diameter of the bit. To get this setting, place the stock on end on the table with one edge against the pin, Now loosen the jig’s main fence and shift it until the spacing is cor- rect. (See photo, below.) Lock the fence. 5, Insert the jig's stop block into the hole in the router table and orient it so the number on the block that cor responds to your bit diameter points toward the bit. (See bottom left photo, page 94.] a Sot the finger width. Hold the stock agsinst the pin and eyeball the location of ‘the cutting edge of the bit,Box Joint Math Below is @ handy formula for suc: cossfully setting up the box joint jig and the cut. As you can see, it comes full circle. Write down the formula near your work station and refer to it every time you ‘make a fresh batch of joints. + bit diameter = stock thickness + stock thickness = finger width + finger width = socket width + socket width = bit diameter 6, Perform the router flight check [see page 76) and rout a series of fin gers across the entire end of one practice piece. The procedure is to hold or clamp the stock to the jig with its end down on the router table and its outside surface facing the bit. For the first cut, locate the edge of the stock against the fence pin. Now push the assembly forward and over the bit until it contacts the stop block, and then slide the assembly back until it clears the bit. Block stops the cut. Insert the stop block into the hole in the table, orienting the number on the block equal to the bit diameter towards the workpiece. For each remaining finger, move the stock over so the freshly cut edge of the finger contacts the fence’s pin, and repeat, (See photo, right.) 7. Using calipers, measure the width of a notch and a finger. The notch should equal the diameter of the bit, and the finger must equal the notch. Adjust the jig as necessary. (S ‘Making the Joint Fit, opposite page.) 8, After making any adjustments, per- form the router flight check again and rout two separate pieces of practice stock, Rout the fingers in the first piece, as described above. With the first piece still on the jig and its last finger contacting the fence pin, place the edge of the second piece against the first piece and clamp or hold it in position, Then push the assembly for- ward as before to rout the first notch, as shown in the middle left photo, opposite page. To rout the remaining. notches, remove the first piece and repeat the cutting sequence on the second piece by indexing the stock against the metal pin for each cut 9. When the two practice pieces fit together perfectly, you're ready to rout the project's stock Dealing with Tearout Tearout can be a problem when making box joints, especially if your bit is dull or dirty. To overcome this, always use a fresh backer board on ‘your box joint jig and place your stock with its outside surface facing ut, or towards the bit. The backer will virtually eliminate all tearout on the back side where the danger is greatest. Any small tearout on the outside, or show surface, can be dealt with after assembly with a litle judicious sanding. Pin registers the cut. Index the previ ously cut notch against the pin to rout each successive notch, Routing a Box Joint 1. Install a fresh backer board on the ox joint jig. Arrange all your parts so your marks and the outside sur- faces) face up. Remember that you're routing one half of a corner joint at a time, so it’s important that you stack the pieces in the lettered order of the 2. Perform the router flight check and rout the fingers or notches in the first corner, Then, in successive Make a clean cut. Use a fresh backer board behind the workpiece to ‘avoid tearout at the back of the cut.Making the Joint Fit and then clamp a scrap block tothe table such that contacts the gauge | When setting up and making test (See photo, right.) Without disturbing | cuts with the box joint jig, it’s not the setup, carefully remove the gauge, uncommon for fingers to be either loosen the fence, and slide it over until too loose or so tight that you can’t ‘the pin touches the block. Tighten the fit the joint. To adjust the fit, meas- fence, remove the block, and you're ure the fingers and notches with a good ta ga. Gial caliper. They should match each ther Once youve meatured the ‘the finger I 00 fat, position a serap mount of vor selecta foeier block against the pin end clamp itto Gouge whose thickness equots that the table. Loosen the fence, insert the amount and perform one of the fol _eeler gauge against the block, and Towing adjustments. then slide the fence so the pin contacts the gauge. Lock the fence, remove the Fatter fingers. Use a feler gauge and 2 If the finger is too skinny, place the block and the gauge, and rout. ‘scrap block clamped to the table to adjust feeler gauge against the metal pin the fence end pin for fine-tuin the ft. Practice Project and make a box for everyone. The practice project that features box Wow, once you've got it, you've got joints is the Totebox (page 1421, it! You can do a whole run of boxes another fine gift idea. and stash them for gifts. Or be the woodworking hero in your family Notch the adjoining board. Begin the cut on the second piece by holding the completed first board against the pin and registering the second board against the first. order, rout all the box parts including. the last corner, which mates with the first corner you routed. 3. Assemble each comer joint by intersecting the fingers. (See photo, right,} Check that the ends match each other, as well as the sides. If they don't go together correctly, check your marking system or the order of the stack. Cheek the fit. A properly cut joint reveals fingers that mesh together without gaps, and with top and bottom edges flush with each other.96 MORTISES AND TENONS Mortises and Tenons he mortise-and-tenon joint is I arguably the strongest joint in woodworking. It’s been around for thousands of years and is the mark of fine craftsmanship. The joint consists of a tenon milled on the end of a rail that’s inserted into a hole, or mortise, cut into the adjoin- ing piece, usually a post or stile. Standard Mortise The standard mortise is a hole milled into the long grain of the face or edge of a piece of wood. Typically, a tenon cut on the end of another piece is inserted into the mortise to provide an exceptionally strong union of end grain to long grain. The procedures below describe milling mortises in a table leg, but you can use the same techniques for cutting other mortises, such as for door frames. MORTISE Depth Stile or post Reveal wien 7 / \ Thickness \ small shoulder Shoulder of ral meets here wath Stock Preparation 1. Choose the leg stock from wood with no knots and relatively straight grain. Mill the stock straight and square, except for round stock. (See Mortising Non- Square Stock, page 98.) 2. Mill a spacer for the mortising fixcure, 3. Mark the surface of the spacer on which the leg rests, as shown in the photo, right. ‘Spaced out. Insert a scrap block into the jig ofthe correct thickness and ‘width to bring the workpiece level with the jig’s jaws.STANDARD MORTISE APPLICATIONS Mortises and tenons have been Used to frame huge buildings as well as join small, delicate pieces of furniture—and many wooden things in between! The most com- mon type of mortise today is a standard mortise used for joining door and table frames, where rails, aprons, or stretchers join door stiles or table legs. WHAT'S NOT COVERED The common mortise has a flat bot tom, two parallel cheeks, and two ends. A mortise can also have no bottom, called a through mortise. In addition, a mortise can have an open fend, known as a bridle joint. And one end of the mortise can be altered to accept a haunch, or step, cut in the tenon. All these mortise variations are created in the same way as the standard mortise covered Marking the Stock 1, Study the end grain of the legs nd arrange them so the center of the tree faces the inside of the table. ‘Then mark and number the top end of each leg for each mortise location. {See top photo, right.) This marking system orients each face to be mor- sed relative to an adjacent face as well as to neighboring legs. Best of all, it prevents you from accidentally routing a mortise in the wrong place! here by simply altering the depth of the cut or by milling the mortise all the way through the stock WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW + length, depth, and width of the mortise + thickness of tenon stock + dimensions of the leg + reveal (the distance the leg is set back from the apron or stretcher) + shoulder depth of tenon JIGS + mortising fixture (see page $5) + spacer for mortising fixture, milled to accommodate stock BITS AND TOOLS +%x 3 in, up-cutting spiral bit + calculator + bit gauge (see page 22) + plunge router — 2. Once you've marked the legs, match the mortise numbers to the aprons. This allows you to sequence the grain of the aprons around the table in a continuous pattern, 3. Lay out and mark the width and length of two mortises on one leg only, drawing one cheek line and both ends of each mortise. Make sure to mark an “X" on the inside of the cheek line. Although you'll be milling eight mortises in four legs, the router baseplate on the mortis- ing fixture can be set to this one leg for all your mortises. MORISES AND TENONS 97 End marks tell the story. With the jain arranged so the inside of the tree faces in, mark each leg so you can keep track of adjoining mortises. the moveable jaw when inserting the stock into the jig, Setting Up the Cut 1. Sct up the mortising fixture with your plunge router and install a spiral bit. Position the spacer for the leg stock so the stock sits flush with the top of the fixture's jaws2, Place the marked leg into the fix oriented towards the moveable jaw. |See middle right photo, previous age.} workpiece stop to the end of the leg left. Clamp the work between the ture with the surface to be mortised facing up and the adjoining mortise 3. Line up the center of the mortise with the screw clamp, then slide the and tighten it, as shown in the photo, Stop the workpiece. Line up the area to be mortised in the stock with the cen ter of the jig’s sorew, and lock the stop against the stock. ane | Locate the cheeks. With the bit as close as possible to the surface of the work, line up the edge of the bit with the cheek line and lock the bar to the baseplate. 4 a Find the ends. Line up the bit with the end of the mortise and lock the end stop to the fence. fences by tightening the moveable jaw. 4, Set the router on the jig and lower the bit until it touches the stock. Tum the bit until one of the cutting edges points toward the cheek line, loosen Mortising Non-Square Stock Add blocks to a leg. Plywood squares attached to either end ‘of @ shaped leg allow you to register the part accurately in the ji. - If your design calls for milling mor- tises in stock that's not square, you ‘may need to alter your mortising sequence or devise an alternative ‘method for holding your work, depending on the shape of the stock you're working. For example, if you plan on tapering the stock, such as for tapered table legs, then it's wise to do the tapering after the mortises are milled. This leaves you with square stock for mortising so the milling process is much easier ‘and more accurate. the bar on the baseplate, and slide the router sideways until the corner of the bit touches the “X” side of the check line, Align the baseplate parallel to the bar by eye and tighten the lock knobs, (See middle photo, left.) 5. Rotate the bit so the cutting edge points towards the end of the mortise, and move the router until the bit aligns with the end mark. Without moving the router, position a router stop against the baseplate and lock it into the fixed jaw. (See bottom photo, left.) Repeat the procedure to set the ‘opposing stop, sliding the router to the opposite end and fastening a sec- ond stop at that end of the jaw. If you want round or otherwise shaped legs, turn them on the lathe or mill them first. Once you've shaped the work, make two plywood squares that equal the major diameter of the leg and screw them to each end of the leg, centered on the leg's axis. Now you have square references for cutting mortises that are pre- cisely 90° apart and perpendicular to the stock.Mortise Math MORTISES AND TENONS Hore are simple formulas for calculating critical mortise dimensions. ‘tenon shoulder depth = cheek fone mortise end = shoulder depth ‘opposite mortise end = shoulder depth + tenon width 6, Set the depth stop of your plunge base to equal the depth of the mor- tise, and turn the turret so the high- est possible land is under the depth rod, (See Setting Bit Height and Depth, page 72.) 7. Slide the router back and forth between the two stops to make sure you and your router are ready. Check that the cord isn't going to catch on something, the stops are in the right places and securely tightened, and the path of the bit will cut what and where you want it to. Make any adjustments if necessary. Routing a Mortise 1, Carry out the router flight check (see page 76). Plunge the bit into the wood until the depth rod touches the first turret land. Slide the router back and forth between the end stops. [See center photo, right.) Raise the bit above the work. You may feel safer turning off the router before the next step 2. Reset the turret to the next lower land and repeat the plunge cut as before. If you feel comfortable leaving the router on during this step, be very careful that your fingers do not get near the spinning bit! Personally, prefer to turn the router off tenon stock thickness — tenon thickness ) reveal + shoulder depth 2 Perfect length and depth. The finished ‘mortige falls between the end lines and is cut to a precise depth, against the workpiece stop and tight: ening the clamp, Watch the orienting marks, 5. To mill the adjacent mortise in each of the four legs, you'll need to readjust the router stops and the workpiece stop. Repeat the setup Instructions, using the marked-up leg and adjusting the workpiece stop so it registers the uncut mortise layout, then follow the step-by-step routing instructions as before. (See photo, below.} Congratulations! Every mor: tise is now on the correct face of each leg. All you do Lup, rout the mortise by simply sliding the baseplate back and forth between the two stops. push. Onco the jig is set 3. Repeat the plunge cuts until the depth rod contacts the lowest land. and the final mortise depth is reached. Then remove the router, loosen the clamping screw, and remove the leg. [See top photo, right 4, Rout a single mortise in each of the remaining three legs by simply inserting the leg into the fixture ‘A completed leg. The adjacent mortises Tine up with each other, and are ready to receive tenons.HINGE MORTISE APPLICATIONS Hinge mortises are handy for many furnituremaking applica- tions, including doors and cases, lids and panels, and box tops. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW Have the hinges on hand; the jig you'll make is specific to the hinge. JIGS + hinge jig (see fig. 1) BITS AND TOOLS +n. hinge bit (page 23) + fixed-base router with offset baseplate Hinge Mortise Adding doors to your furniture pro} ects broadens your woodworking skills and expands the variety of projects you can build. Those doors will need hinges, and the hinge leaves require cutting a shallow mor- tise. You can cut these mortises by hand with a chisel, but routing them with a jig is often more accurate and can save time, especially when you have multiple hinges to install. Other hardware, such as locksets, also requires shallow mortises, and a variation of the jig shown here will work. You'll love this procedure! Fig. 1: HINGE JIG Cut notch to ft hinge leaf perfectly. — Wood fence, ~ 3lax2 «12, Stock Preparation I's best to build the cabinet and door first. If you're hinging inset doors, remove the back irom the cabinet. Marking the Stock Line up the edge of the door with the cabinet, clamp the door in place, and position your hinges. Use a pencil or a knife to mark the hinge locations both door and cabinet by following the leaf of each hinge. Make sure to mark an “X” on the side of the line to be mortised. Now deepen each mark by placing a square on the scored line and retracing it with a sharp knife. (See photo, right.) ~ MOF base, Vax6xBin ‘Attach fence slightly below base to avovd interfering with router. Knife your lines. With the door clamped to the case, use a small square to incise lines across the case and the back of the door. eethe baseplate, st an open hinge on the jig, and adjust the bit level with the lea. Setting Up the Cut 1, Install the hinge bit, set the router on its head, and install the offset baseplate. Place the hinge jig upside down on the baseplate, and adjust the bit until it’s slightly above the jig. 2. Open the hinge and carefully place one leaf on the jig and next to the bit. Adjust the bit until it's perfectly flush with the leaf, and set the hinge aside. [See photo, above.) 3. Position the jig with its inner edge against the marked line, inserting, the tip of the knife into the line and sliding the jig against the blade to register it accurately. Clamp the jig SS Knife locates the jig. Stick the knife into your previously cut line, slide the jig up tothe blade, and clamp the jig in place. i in place. Check that the “X" is visi ble through the opening in the jig, {See bottom photo, left.) Routing a Hinge Mortise 1. Carry out the router flight check, place the router on the jig with the bit clear of the work, and turn on the 2 Rout the mortise. Keep the major the baseplate over the jig and let the bit's bearing follow the contours of the jig to rout the hinge mortise. 2. Bring the bit's bearing in contact with the edge of the jig and ride the bit around the opening in a clock wise fashion, as shown in the photo, above. Then move the router back and forth to remove any uncut fibers, leaving a perfectly clean bottom to the mortise, Move the bit sideways out of the mortise with the baseplate still on the jig, and turn the router if. This prevents you from acciden: tally dinging the jig and having to start over 3. Without moving the jig, place the back of a sharp chisel against the edge of the jig and pare down to square the mortise corners. (See top photo, right.) Chisel the end grain first, cut the long grain, and then pare across the bottom to remove the waste, Carve the corners. Use the jig to guide your chisel for cleaning up the rounded Fit the hinge leaf into the mortise, [See photo, below] If the leaf doesn't fit or isn't flush with the workpiece, make any necessary adjustments to the jig or to the bit depth setting. 4, Remove the clamps and re-clamp the jig for the next hinge mortise, Repeat the preceding steps for all the @\ ae A portoot fit. Try the loaf in the mortise to see that it fits along the shoulders and is flush with the work. vorTenons This is the adjoining half of a mor- tise-and-tenon joint, Tenons are ere- ated by removing wood from the opposite faces on the end of a board, as well as sometimes removing stock {rom the opposite edges to create shoulders. In most cases, its best to cut the tenon after milling the mor- tise, so you can fine-tune the fit. Below is the sequence for milling a tenon in apron stock to fit the leg ‘mortise you routed earlier. Stock Preparation 1. Surface all the stock, plus one practice board, to final thickness and width, 2. Calculate the overall length of the apron by adding two mortise depths plus the di the shoulder-to-shoulder length. Crosscut the stock to this length, making sure the ends are precisely 90°. Note: If your design calls for decorative apron cuts, mill the tenons first so you're working with square stock, then make any curved cuts after completing the tenons, TENONS APPLICATIONS ‘The most common application is milling tenons on rails, aprons, and stretchers when connecting these parts to door frames or table legs. Other uses include tenons cut in the ends of shelves, web frames, and dust panels for fitting into case sides. WHAT'S NOT COVERED ‘Through-tenons, loose tenons, and haunched tenons are not covered as, they're simply variations of the basic tenon that has a shoulder milled on all four edges. After mastering the setup here, variations can and should be practiced. Different setups may have to be considered. That's the fun of learning and growing as a woodworker, ‘The setup shown here works best with aprons up to 36 in. long. Marking the Stock Consider having the grain of the apron stock run continuously around the frame. To do this, cut your aprons from a single length, and ‘mark each piece in successive order. Ie’s a nice touch for a custom look Setting Up the Jig 1, Secure the router base to the hori- zontal table setup on the router table, and tighten both the lock knobs on the horizontal plate. 2. Install the router bit and the ‘motor in the base. Loosen the lock knob slightly, pivot the plate up until the bit is above the table, and lock the plate. Cutting tenons in longer stock works better with a different setup, as shown in Rabbets (see page 78). WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW. + depth, length, and width of the mortise + shoulder depth of the tenon + final thickness of the aprons + final width of the aprons + distance between the legs BITS AND TOOLS +% x3 in. up-cutting spiral bit + machinist’s dial calipers + bit gauge (page 22) +2 few playing cards JIGS + push sled (page 60) + router table with horizontal table setup (page 38) 3. Set the tenon length by adjusting the bit gauge to the depth of your mortise, then placing it against the plate and adjusting the bit until it touches the gauge. Lock the depth on the router. (See photo, below.) Bit length equals tenon length. Use s bit gauge to set the depth of the bit, which determines the length of the tenon,Tenon Math Here are simple formulas for determining critical tenon dimensions. ‘overall apron length = (2 * mortise depth} + distance between legs tenon length = mortise depth ‘tenon width = mortise length tenon thickness = mortise width Bit height is the shoulder depth. Reset the gauge and adjust the height of the bit, which equals the depth of the tenon shoulder, 4. Reset the gauge to the shoulder depth, loosen the lock knob slightly, and pivot the plate until the bit touches the gauge. Tighten the knob. (See photo, above.| Note: Since you're removing wood from each side of the stock to form the tenon, any error in height adjust- ment for the shoulder depth is dou- bled. If you are ever so slightly high, your tenon will be too thin. You're best approach is to be a little “fav and sneak up on the right height, taking successive cuts and readjust ing the bit height accordingly. Routing a Tenon 1, Complete the router flight check, and place the practice stock on edge with its end against the plate and its face against the push sled. Turn on the router and push the stock and sled against the fence and into the bit, using a smooth motion and an even feed rate. (See top photo, right.) As soon as the shoulder is fully milled, pull the stock and the sled away from the plate and bit. It’s not necessary to push the sled all the way through. 2. Rotate the stock 90° and repeat the cutting sequence to rout one cheek, as shown in the photo, right. 3, Turn the board 90° again and onto its second edge, and repeat to rout the opposite shoulder. 4, Rotate the stock 90° once more and rout the second cheek, again repeating the same routing sequence. [See photo, right.) 5. Once you've routed the cheeks, round the comers of the tenon with a chisel by slicing down each square corner and paring it into a round corner. Then place the back of the chisel on the shoulder and “walk” it around the corner to remove the waste. The rounded tenon should closely match the rounded ends of the mortise, as shown in the bottom photos, page 104. ‘Shoulder first. Hold the stock on edge and use a push sled to rout the first shoulder. ‘the face, Rotate the stock 80° and he first cheek Finish with a cheek. After miling the second shoulder, complote the tenon by routing the opposite cheek. 103104 Monrises AND TENONS Dropped below. The poor fit here is ‘due to a tenon whose shoulder has been cut too deeply. Tes Its important that a tenon fits secure: ly in its mortise, or the joint is likely 10 fail. The best test is to push the ‘tenon into the mortise by hand. If the tenon slips smoothly into the mortise without hammering, and there’s no wriggle in any direction when the tenon is fully inserted, you've achieved the perfect fit. Make sure to push the tenon back and forth along the length of the mortise to test the width. Again, it shouldn't move. ing the Fit The final step is to test the fit of the tenon to your mortise. [See Testing the Fit, above.) Practice Project Toast yourself! You've milled stan. dard mortises and hinge mortises, plus routed and fitted tenons. You're ready to use the mortise-and-tenon joint to build the Small Table (page 148), or try your hand at routing hinge mortises for the Frame-and- Panel Door for the Router Bit Cabinet (page 153]. Of course, the door will swing perfectly. Poking above. A shoulder that’s cut ‘00 shallow results in the apron rising above the surface of the leg. Another key to 8 good fit is to check that adjoining surfaces are flush with each other. For example, if the apron is below the edge of the leg when the parts are joined, then the top edge of the tenon is too far away from the edge of the apron stock. In effect, the shoulder has been cut too deep, as shown in the top photo, left. Conversely, ifthe apron is above the lag, the tenon is too near the edge of the stock, or its shoulder is too shal- low. (See photo, above.) Just right. Tight-fiting shoulders and ‘lush edges are the hallmarks of @ prop- erly cut joint. ‘Make sure to measure the length of the tenon and compare that with the depth of the mortise. It must not be onger than the mortise is deep. In fact, ideally it's slightly shorter. (See Leave Room for Glue, opposite page) Ifthe shoulders of the apron don’t ‘make intimate contact with the face of the leg, the tenon is too long. A well-ftted tenon should sit nice and tight, as shown in the photo, above. Rounded to fit. Chisel the square edges to round so the tenon fits the round ends of the mortise,Leave Room for Glue I's good practice to make your tenons slightly shorter than the depth of your mortises. The rea- son for this is to leave some room for glue. If you size a tenon to the full depth of the mortise, the glue can hydraulically push the tenon out of the joint during assembly. Making your tenon a litle short also ensures that it shoulders meet tightly against the adjoining piece before the tenon bottoms out. One approach is to simply crosscut Ye in. off the end. of each tenon to provide this clearance. Whenever possible, | prefer using the no-math proce- dure for its simplicity. Or you can consider the following technique: To get the tenons slightly shorter but the distance between the legs ‘exactly right, reduce the overall length of the board by % in,, then mill each tenon Yin. shorter ‘than the depth of the mortise. ‘A gap is good. Leave a small gap between the bottom of the mortise ‘and the end of the tenon to ease assembly and allow room for excess glue. Cards raise the bit. Use a few playing cards to help with raising the bit up by 8 predetermined amount. Adjusting The Fit ‘When cutting a tenon on your prac- tice board, there are five situations you're likely to run into that will pre- vent a good fit. Perform the follow- ing adjustments to your router setup depending on the specific situation at hand, If the tenon is too thin, the shoulder depth setting is too high. Cut off the tenon to start anew, then loosen the Jock knob on the plate and reduce the height of the bit very slightly. If the tenon is too thick, the shoul- der depth setting is too low. Measure the tenon thickness with machinist’ dial calipers, Also meas- ture the width of the mortise. Now subtract the two, divide the result by 10, and round to the nearest whole ‘number. Count out the number of playing cards that represent that number, plus one more card. Clean off the router tabletop and clamp a ‘small handscrew to the horizontal plate such that the clamp lays flat on the table, Loosen the lock knob, pivot the plate up, and position the cards under the clamp, as shown in the photo, above. Tighten the knob, If the edge of the apron is lower than the leg when dry-assembled, consider crosscutting a little off the top end of the legs. Make sure to replace any marks you may have on the tops of the legs. Another option is to reduce the width of the tenon on its upper edge on the bandsaw or with a handsaw, Wthe apron is higher than the leg when dry-assembled, consider rip- ping the excess from the top edge of the apron. if you have marks on this edge, replace them. If this option isn't acceptable, reduce the width of the tenon on its lower edge on the bandsaw or with a handsaw. If the tenon is too long, crosscut the ‘excess from the end of the tenon. Don’t adjust the length of the tenon stock and don't adjust the router bit, dopth, since both approaches will alter the distance between the legs, 105,Dovetails HALF BLIND SLIDING DOVETAIL Half-Blind Tal board Dovetails “ (drawer side) The half-blind dovetail joint consists of pins and tails that intertwine with each other, much like lacing the fin- gers of both hands together in prayer. Since the parts are flared, or shaped to an incline, the joint locks mechanically in one plane. There are numerous inexpensive commercial — Dovetail bit loaves haalf-blind dovetail jigs that help you rounded cut the joint, but they have con- ecoee founded woodworkers for decades. 1 use a popular jig that I modified to help take the frustration out of using these kinds of jigs (see page 60}. You may not have the same brand, but you can make many of the modifica tions to upgrade yours and use the setups and executions similar to those described here: Socket for tal Pin board (drawer front or back) Unlike through and sliding dovetails where you rout the pins and tails (or sockets} separately, you'll make an entire corner joint at one time, con- sisting of an end (pins and a side (tails). This is an advantage, since you're guaranteed the best fit by keep- ing these two parts together during the milling process. Since the most common application is a drawer, all references are for a drawer box, which is really just a box without a lid! reliable glues and inexpensive fasteners and requires no hardware, ice the wedged-shaped pins and tails create a mechanical lock that allows for expansion and contraction of solid wood. Originally sawn and chopped by hand, dovetails have traditionally required great skill to make suc- cessfully, Today, everyone can make this strong joint with a router accurately and quickly. However, while routing dovetails can be fast and predictable, careful setup is very important | D=* have a rich history spanning centuries. The joint precedes Dovetails are seen in three variations: through dovetails, half-blind dovetails, and sliding dovetails. Each type requires its own jig, and there are many com- | ‘mercial models to choose from, including templates to make your own jig. You can often pick up a used jig, typically for half-blind dovetails. Just keep in Stock Preparation nd that the user manual is often missing from these older jigs. | daa ‘ Jaen ne The thickness of your stock is criti cal when routing dovetails. Prepare all stock, including practice material, j at the same time, Poplar and Baltic birch plywood, both in Yin, thick- ness, are often used for drawer sides. For smaller boxes, in. stock works fine, Whatever your choice, drawerPins and Tails Terminology When it comes to making dove- tailed drawers, the terms used to describe parts can be confusing. Hore’s a crash course on dovetail terminology. + A drawer side consists of a tail board, into which you rout sockets for pins, leaving a series of tails. + A drawer end (drawer front or drawer back) consists of a pin board, into which you rout sockets for tals, leaving a series of pins. + Looking at the face of the stock, the tails look like a bird's tall land the pins look straight. side stock must be the same thick- ness or the joint will not fit. Calculating the right dimensions is key to good stock preparation, and it begins with choosing the width of your drawer stock. First, measure the height of the drawer opening in the case, which determines the maximum drawer height, or the width of your drawer stock. This width must be less than the opening, and your choice of whether you use commercial metal drawer slides or wooden runners (or ‘web frames) will determine the cor rect width. (See Drawer Height Math, page 109.| Of course, you'll want to consider what the drawer is going to stofe, and make sure there's enough height inside the drawer to accommo- date these items, Remember to sub- tract the thickness of the drawer bottom and any extra material below HALF-BLIND DOVETAILS APPLICATIONS Its wise to decide which dovetail you are likely to utilize and then learn all of its idiosyncrasies. Having said this, the most common joint is the half-blind dovetail, typically used in corner joints for drawers. Through dovetails are best for large corner joints, such as case pieces like chests of drawers, blanket chests, or even ficewood boxes. The sliding dovetail is great for case parts, such as dividers that keep chests of drawers together, and for table lags held firm- ly to posts, commonly seen in pedestal-style tables. One variation is the French dovetail a sliding dove til that joins drawer fronts to sides. WHAT'S NOT COVERED ‘Through dovetails are not included, as the setup and execution relies on the specific jig being used. However, if you own a dovetail jig that handles both half-blind and through joints, fonce you learn to rout half-blind dovetails you'll be well on your way the bottom to calculate the useable interior space. Knowing the maximum drawer height that will fit in the case is one part of the equation. The other key aspect is the “perfect” width that will work with your dovetail jig. With half-blind dovetails, the joint always starts and ends with a half pin. Therefore, only certain widths of stack will work in your jig, as shown in figure 1. For in, dovetails, the perfect widths arc multiples of % in. For / in, dovetails, the multiple is «in oveats 107 towards making through dovetails. Tapered sliding dovetails are also excluded, as they require tricky jig setups and are best practiced once you've mastered the basic sliding dovetail joint. | WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW + drawer opening + the perfect half-pin width + drawer stock width + longth of ends and sides JIGS + half-blind dovetail jig (page 60) + setup stick (page 62) + right-angled spacer, made from the same thickness stock as the sides and ends BITS AND TOOLS +n. dovetail bit (14°, or the angle specified for your jig) + template guide bushing specified for your jig + machinists’ dial calipers Onee you've determined the width of your stock, you can calculate the Jengeh of the ends and sides, Remember, these parts create the width and lengeh of your drawer, respectively. (See Drawer Length Math, page 109,| Be sure to crosseut the ends of your stock at a perfect 90* angle. Forgo this, and the drawer ‘will rock on two corners, oF won't £0 together at all. And keep paired ends and paired sides to exactly the same length, which you can do by register- ing the parts against a stop when crosscutting,Fig. 1: DETERMINING STOCK WIDTH [Attach a copy of this drawing to your dovetail ig for reference. FOR % IN. DOVETAILS Inoroase with of stock in increments f7/ in Finger template aa We Ze ate 4 4 ie Ee TW Biv ole TOWe 11 IW 1256 Start your measurement atthe second finger to allow for a half pin at each end of stock FOR % IN. DOVETAILS Increase width of stock in increments of in hE == 0 2h he spe 8 BH Gre 77 Bo he The NOBhe 1he ‘Spacer prevents twist. Position a shop-made spacer at the opposite end of the work to keep the work clamps from bending and losing their grip, Keep parts tight and flush. Use a small straightedge to check that the end ff the drawer side is flush with the top surface of the drawer end, Marking the Stock Mark the stock as described under Dovetail Jig, page 60. If you are mak- ing more than one drawer at a time, number individual drawers s0 cor ners that are milled together will mate correctly during assembly Setting Up the Jig 1, Use a setup stick to position the jig's fences and template for the stock you'll be routing 2. Using the same thickness stock as the drawer parts, nail together a right-angled spacer to help prevent the work clamps from bending, Insert the spacer under the clamps at the far left of the jig, as shown in the photo, left. Clamp the appropriate side piece to the front of the jig and against the front right fence, with its end about Yin, above the top of the jig. Then clamp the mating end piece to the top of the jig and against the top right fence, with its end butted tight against the side piece. Now loosen the front clamp and raise the side piece flush with the top surface of the end piece. Tighten the clamp, and use a small straightedge toSet the dovetail depth. Use a bit {gauge to set the depth of the dovetail bit. Adjust the gauge by taking into account the thickness of your jig's template so the bit cuts % in, deep in your stock, check that the two pieces are flush and tight against each other. (See top right photo, opposite page.) Remember, all drawer parts should be oriented with their outside sur- faces against the jig. If your marking system is accurate, your layout marks (made on the inside surfaces] should always face out and bottom edges are always against the jig’s fences. Ends are always on top of the jig and sides are always clamped to the front 3. Fasten the jig’s template to the top of the jig. 4. Install the template guide bushing in your router's baseplate and chuck the dovetail bit in the collet. Set the router bit depth to % in., making sure to take into account the thiek- ness of your jig’s template. (See photo, above.} Routing Half-Blind Dovetails 1. Perform the router flight check (sce page 76). Place the router on the left side of the top board with coveraus 109 Drawer Height Math ‘The following formulas allow you to calculate the maximum width of your drawer stock to accommodate the specific drawer hardware you plan to use. For a drawer hung with commercial slides: side or end width = case opening ~ 1 in. slide allowance For_a drawer operating on wood runners: side or end width = case opening ~ Ys in, clearance Drawer Length Math ‘The following formulas will help in determining the lengths of your drawer parts, 1. To find the length of your ends (front and back pieces), use one of the following formulas. For commercial drawer slides: fend length = width of drawer opening - drawer slide allowance For inset drawers with wooden runners: fend length = width of drawer opening — Ye in 2, To find the length of the sides, use one of the following formulas. For a full overlay drawer with false front: side length = depth of drawer opening ~ ¥ in. Fora half overlay drawer with false front: side length = depth of drawer opening ~ (5 * thickness of false front) ~ in For a flush, or inset, drawer: side length = depth of drawer opening ~ length of drawer stop system ~ yin. the bit clear of the wood and, hold- ing the router with both hands, rotate the base until one hand is over the stock and one hand is off ‘Tum on the router and make a light pass from left to right, making a shallow scoring cut all the way across the stock. The guide bushing should just touch the fingers of the template. (See photo, right.) 2. After the scoring cut, move the router to the right side of each fin- ger and push it in and out of the finger, moving the router from right to left and always keeping the guide Score it first. For the cleanest cut, make {an initial light pass across the stock to reduce tearout at the shoulder.110 ooveraus Rout both parts at once. Push the router in and out of the fingers of the template, cutting both pins and tails at the same time. bushing against the template. (S photo, above.| When you've finished the last finger, go back through each one, this time from left to right. When finished, pull the bushing and bit away from the template and turn the router off, but don't lift the router or you'll spoil the joint. When the bit stops spinning, set the router aside 3. Look carefully at the milled joint and the template fingers. If every thing looks symmetrical and cleanly cut, loosen the clamps and remove the stock. Test the fit by fitting the tails into the pins. (See photo, right.) If you see gaps or unevenness in the joint, make any necessary adjust- ments to your setup now. (See Making Dovetails Fit, above, right.) 4. Still working on the right side of the jig, clamp the correct side piece to the front of the jig and clamp the corresponding end piece to the top. Repeat the routing procedure to mill this second corner joint. 5. With the two “right” corners rout- cd, slide the right-angled spacer to the right and clamp the appropriate side piece to the front of the jig, this time positioning it on the left side of the jig and aligned with the left fence, Do the same for the corre- sponding end piece by clamping it to the top of the jig, again on the left side, Rout the joint as before. 6, Finish up by clamping the remain. ing side and end pieces to the left side of the jig and routing the pins and tails as before, Making Dovetails Fit There are six problems that can result in a poor-fitting joint, as ‘shown in the list below. Four have to do with the adjustment of the jig itself, and two have to do with the depth of the router bit. For the procedures necessary for adjust ing the jig, see Dovetail Jig (page 660). For router bit depth adjust ments, see Adjusting the Depth of Cut, opposite page. 1. Edges of adjoining pieces are uneven: Reset fences to create half pins at ends 2. Tails are proud of pin board: Move finger template further away from front of jig 3. Pins are proud of tail board: Move finger template closer to front of jig 4, Pins and tails at uneven depths: Adjust template parallel with front edge of work 5. Fit is too tight: Adjust router bit up for a shallower cut, 6. Fit is too loose: Adjust router bit depth for a deeper cut Test the fit. Assemble the tals into the in board, and check that the joint is tight and without gaps. Make any corrections +0 your setup now before going further.Practice Project Congratulations on your tenacity and on the well-fitted dovetails you've done! You win an “Atta-boy” or a “You go, girl”—your choice. Now go make the Dovetailed Drawer (page 155} that fits inside the Router Bit Cabinet Adjusting the Depth of Cut Compare the difference. Use a dial calipar to read the width of both the tal socket (left) and the tail (right) and note any difference between the two. If your dovetails are too tight (and impossible to assemble!) or if they're loose and rattle like loose teeth, your bit is set at the incorrect depth and, you'll need to reset it to make the. joint fit correctly. First, determine whether the bit is cutting too deep or t00 shallow, as described in Making Dovetail Fit, opposite page. Then use the machinist’ dial calipers to take a comparative reading of both the width of the tail socket and the width of the tal itself, and note the amount of error. (See photos, above.) Unplug the router, and use your calipers again to measure the exist- ing bit depth. Use one of the follow- ing procedures to make the fix, depending on the type of correction needed. Reset the bit. Steady the caliper with ‘a small square while you adjust the bit to the correct depth. If the bit is too deep, subtract the amount of error from the existing bit depth, and reset the caliper to that measurement. Use the caliper to help. with adjusting the bit to the corrected depth. (See photo, above.) If the bit is too shallow, add the amount of error to the existing bit depth and reset the caliper to that measurement. As before, use the new setting on the caliper to adjust the bit to the correct depth. Sliding Dovetail A sliding dovetail is made up of two parts, a flared pin and a matching flared, or wedged-shaped, socket. The pin and socket mate together for an exceedingly strong joint that locks mechanically. When properly con structed, the joint stays together with little or no glue, The joint is cut in two parts using the same dovetail bit. The size of the bit determines the width of the dove tail socket you'll cut, and you use the same bit to cut the pin. The follow- ing procedure utilizes a Ys in. bit with 14° angle to make a leg-to-post joint, but you can choose larger bits for larger work, or bits with different SLIDING DOVETAIL WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW + diameter of dovetail bit + width of dovetail socket JIGS + mortising fixture (page 55) + spacer for mortising fixture, milled to accommodate stock + two equilateral plywood trian- gles {for three-legged post) or ‘two plywood squares (for four: legged post) + push block made from wide serap + router table with horizontal setup (page 39) BITS AND TOOLS + spiral bit, diameter equal to or smaller than the narrowest diameter of dovetail bit + % in, x 14° dovetail bit + 30°/60"/90" drafting triangle112 oovermus Socket layout. Register a square against the end of the plywood block to lay out the centerline for each socket. angles, You cut the socket in the mortising fixture, then mill the pin on the router table The same ‘4 in. bit shown here works great for joining % in. thick drawer sides to a drawer front, some- times referred to as a French dove- tail. To make this joint, follow the directions for routing a stopped dado (see page 88}. The difference is that first you rout out most of the waste with a spiral bit whose diameter is less than or equal to the narrowest part of the dovetail. Then follow up with the dovetail bit. The router tracking system (see page 54) excels at this because you can back out of the cut under power without chang ing the geometry of the dovetail Stock Preparation Shape the post first and cut it to fin ished length before cutting the joints. Marking the Post Stock Fasten plywood triangles or squares at either end of the post so it rests flat, depending on whether you're making a three- or four-legged pedestal, Either way, don't make the blocks any larger than they need to be. For three legs, mark a socket centerline along each facet of the post that’s referenced to a point on the triangle. For four legs, lay out a socket centerline on each face using a square referenced against the cen ter of the plywood square, as shown in the photo, above. Using the square again, mark the end of each socket Routing the Socket 1. If necessary, make a spacer to fit the post. Insert the post and spacer into the mortising fixture, with the center of the socket aligned with the veneer screw. Side the work stop against the post and lock it in place Line up the cut. Use a pointed bit to help position the baseplate so the cutis centered on the socket centerline Straight cut first. Remove most of the ‘waste with a spiral bit, routing through the plywood block and stopping when the baseplate contacts the router stop. next. Switch to a dovetail bit ‘and repeat the routing procedure to mill all the dovetail sockets.2. Install any pointed bit in your plunge router (a V-groove bit works well} and mount the router onto the baseplate of the mortising fixture. Adjust the baseplate so the point of the bit aligns with your socket cen- terline and tighten the plate. (See top right photo, opposite page.) Remove the bit and replace it with a spiral bit whose diameter equals the narrowest part of the dovetail bit 3, Slide the baseplate until the bit touches the socket end mark and lock a router stop to the fixture’s ence. Set the bit depth to slightly less than the final depth of the dove- tail socket. out the router flight check, and start the cut by pushing the spinning bit through the plywood block and into the stock, Rout to the stop. (See middle right photo, oppo: site page.] Back out of the cut, and. turn off the router. Rotate the post to the remaining mortise positions and repeat the routing procedure to mill all the straight slots. 5, Without adjusting the setup, replace the spiral bit with a dovetail bit, setting its depth to the desired final socket depth, Repeat the rou ing procedure as before to mill all the sockets in the post. (See bottom right photo, opposite page.) Routing the Pin 1, Measure the depth of the socket ‘you just routed with dial calipers, and install a dovetail bit in the hori- zontal router table setup. Extend the bit to the exact measured depth of the socket 2. Subtract the width of the dovetail bit from the thickness of the leg stock, divide by two, and set the bit height to that amount, or slightly less. The idea is to sneak up on the fit in increments, Perform the router flight check, and make a first pass run by pushing the stock with a piece of wide scrap the same thick- ness as the stock. If the ends of your leg stock are cut at a specific miter angle [a common practice with pedestal legs), make sure to cut @ complementary angle on the scrap block to fully support the cut. (See photo, right.) Check the depth of the pin to the socket and adjust the bit depth as necessary. 3. Flip the stock and the push block over, and rout the opposite face. (See middle photo, right.) Now check to see that the widest part of the pin fits the widest part of the dovetail socket. If necessary, use the playing card trick you learned when making tenons (see Adjusting the Fit, page 105} to adjust the fence to sneak up on the fit. 4, Rout each leg and fit it in turn to its mating socket. I always number and mark each leg and socket, which is valuable information come glue-up time, The completed joint should slip together with hand pressure alone, (See bottom photo, right.) Practice Project Make a tabletop for a pedestal base, then go ahead and cut the leg-to-post sliding dovetail joint. There are no specific plans for this particular proj- ect in the book, but by now I know you can figure it out. You are getting, 0000 good! voverms 113, | One half of a pin. Rout the first face of the leg stock using an angled push block to steer the work safely past the bit. Rout the other side. Flip the work over and complete the pin by milling the opposite face, A nice fit. The finished joint can be ‘assembled by hand and is very strong thanks to its wedge-shaped connection.114 SPECIAL JomTs work SPECI eT Special Joints with Special Bits the most useful joints are included here: the drawer joint, the lock miter, and the cope and stick. The drawer-joint bit is used to make boxes or drawers quickly and easily. The lock-miter bit is also a good choice for joining boxes, and makes assembly and glue-up easy when two hands are all you can bring to the job. The cope-and-stick bit is used for building door frames for holding glass or wood panels. As a bonus, I'll demonstrate how to use a raised-panel bit for making panels to fit those frames, T= are many special joints that require specific router bits. Three of aDRAWER LOCK APPLICATIONS The drawer lock bit is used to make 90° corners for boxes and drawers. Drawer ends (fronts and backs) must be at least in. thick; sides can be thinner if desired, WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW + use bit in router table only, and at maximum 18,000 rpm + overall drawer dimensions + drawer front style (inset or overlay) Drawer Lock ‘This bit produces slightly angular edges in the mating parts that inter- Jock with cach other when the joint is assembled. The result is a corner joint with great strength. Since you only need a single bit height setting, to rout both parts, the drawer lock bit offers a quick and easy routing. operation for making perfectly fitting corner joints, Stock Preparation ‘Mill the sides 4 in, shorter than the overall length of the drawer, and cut the back to the overall drawer width, ‘The desired style of the front [inset or overlay] dictates the length of the stock. To find the length for an inset front, subtract / in, from the width of the drawer opening. For an overlay drawer front, add twice the amount of overlay desired to the width of the opening, JIGS + vertical push stick (page 48) + push sled (page 48), + router table and tall fence, both with large holes (page 38) BITS AND TOOLS + drawer lock bit + dial calipers + bit gauge (page 22) + router with variable speed Haye some practice stock on hand to test your router's rpm settings so you can achieve the best cut in addi- tion to getting the setup exactly right. You'll also need some extra stock for the drawer front to get its length precisely right. It’s best to leave these pieces overlong to start. ‘One tip: I like to rip my stock about 4 in. wider than its final width, This way, [can rip % in. off each edge after cutting the joint to remove any possible blowout. Marking the Stock Mark the inside faces of the ends and sides, as these are the surfaces that will contact either the router table or its fence. Mark the top edge of each piece, and make sure to label the back and the front. If you're making more than one drawer, £0 ahead and number individual draw: cers so you don’t mix up the parts, Distance equals thickness of Increase to create overhang for overlay drawer front, Front or back Setting Up the Bit 1. Install the bit in a variable-speed motor in the router table with the tall fence, and set the speed to 18,000 rpm or lower. Make sure the hole in your table and your fence is large enough to accommodate the bit’s diameter. (See photo, below.) Keep it clear. With large bits, such as the drawer lock shown here, make sure the holes in the router fence and the baseplate are large enough to clear the bis cutting edges.116. sreciaL JomnTs wie SFECIAL ITs Sot the depth. When setting up to cut the ends, use a bit gauge to adjust the dopth of the bit equal to the thickness of the sides. 2. For % in, stock, use a bit gauge to adjust the bit to */« in.—a tad under in.— above the table. 3. For routing end pieces (fronts and backs), use a bit gauge to set the fence so the lead cutting edge of the bit protrudes from the fence equal to the thickness of the side stock, plus any desired overlap. |See photo, above.] 4. For routing sides, use a routed end and measure the depth of its groove with dial calipers, as shown in the photo, below. Adjust the bit gauge to that distance, then use the gauge to ‘Measure the Cut, then measur groove depth on an end piece with Calipers, then use a bit gauge set to this ‘measurement to adjust the fence for cut, ting the sides. set the fence, Remember, you won't need to alter the bit height when switching from ends to sides. Routing a Drawer Lock Joint 1. You'll rout the ends first. Perform the router flight check (see page 76) and rout the end of one practice piece using a push sled and orienting, the inside suriace down on the table. [See photo, right 2. Now set up for routing the sides and rout a practice side, this time using a vertical push stick and regis tering the inside surface against the The end comes first. Rout the end pileces using @ push sled and feeding the ‘work past the bit in one continuous, smooth motion. fence, (See top left photo, opposite age.| Making the Joint Fit Here’s what to watch for when setting up for cutting the drawer lock joint. As the drawing shows, in two cases an ilLfitting joint is due to the bit being set +00 high oF too low. The two ather poor fits are the result of a fence that's set either too close to the bit ar too far away. Dry-fit your test pieces to see Which fix you need to make, then make sure to unplug the router before ‘making any adjustments to the bit height or fence. Bit t00 low Bittoo high Fence too near Fence to0 fer back eee on‘Then the sides. Stand the side stock upright and with its inside surface against the fence, and use a vertical push stick to ‘move the work past the bit, 3. Once you've cut the side, insert it into the end piece. Check that the two pieces are fully engaged, and that the end is flush with the out, side face of the side. (See photo, below.| If not, make any necessary adjustments to either the fence or the bit. (See Making the Joint Fit, opposite page.) 4. When you're satisfied with the fit, execute the router flight check again, and rout each end of the back ends inside face down, using a push sled. Check the fit. A properly cut joint won't have any gaps and the end will be flush with the outside surface of the side piace. Overlapping front. Reset the fence to ‘expose more of the bit for routing drawer fronts that overhang drawer sides. If you're making a box, as opposed to a drawer, run the front ends the same way as the back ends, 5, Rout each end of the sides with the inside face against the fence, again using a vertical push stick, 6, If you're making drawers, reset the fence for the front to accommo: date any overhang, The formula is, the thickness of one side plus the desired overhang at one end. Carry out the router flight check and rout one end of the front, (See photo, above.) Measure the overlap, as shown in the right photo, above Adjust the fence if the overlap is not ‘what you intended. 7. Now dry-assemble the back piece with the two sides and measure the outside distance between the sides Add the correct overlap to this meas- urement, then crosscut the unrouted end of your drawer front to that length, Perform the router flight check again and rout the remaining end of the front. 8, As a final check, clamp all four parts of the assembly together and measure the width of the box from side to side, at the front, and again at the back. (See middle photo, right.) Ww to check the amount that the front will overlap the side, and adjust the fence as necessary. The distance must be the same to create a square drawer. If necessary, adjust the length of the front to square up the box. \ Assemble and test for square. Dry-it the box and use @ tape to measure the side-to-side distance at the front and the back. Practice Project Ie’ time to make something practical with your new skill. Try replacing the dovetail joints on the Dovetailed Drawer (page 155) with the drawer lock joint‘SPECIAL JOINTS WITH SPECIAL AIT LOCK MITER APPLICATIONS Consider using the 45° lock miter to make mitered boxes, hollow beams, large panel glue-ups, frames, face frames, mitered frames, or any place that a splined joint works. WHAT'S NOT COVERED The 22° lock miter is not covered because a similar setup methodol- ‘ogy is used to cut the joint. Make future setup gauges for this one, too, after you get the perfect fit. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW Note: This bit is restricted to router table use with a speed limit of 16,000 rpm. Be open to run it even slower. Different species of wood Or the use of plywood will deter ‘mine the best speed at which to ‘un your router. JIGS + push stick (page 43), + vertical push stick (page 49) + router table and tall fence, both with large holes (page 38) BITS AND TOOLS + lock miter bit + dial calipers + router with variable speed Lock Miter The lock miter bit can be used to make edge-to-edge glue joints, but it really shines when it comes to making, miter joints, It has the advantage of interlocking fingers that add strength and easy alignment during assembly, which is particularly handy when glu. ing up slippery miters. Keep in mind that the bit really isn’t designed for end-grain cuts, where you'll get lot of tear out, It’s best to reserve this joint for long-grain comers, ‘Typical 45° lock miter bits are avail- able in two sizes related to stock thickness ranges. Since these bits are large and moderately expensive, it's wise to choose the smallest bit that will do the job for you. At least one manufacturer has a 22° version for making octagonal joints, and the setup consists of two separate bits for the male and female halves of the joint Stock Preparation ‘The most important operation is to rip each practice workpiece to exactly the same width, Rectangular boxes must have sides and ends of equal length. Surface all the stock and plenty of practice stock to exactly the Fig. 1: MARKING UP THE STOCK _-Mark both faces on tach piece to indicate Inside and outside, Rout both edges on “A” and pieces with stock flat on table and outside faces up. Letter stock sequentially around ox ~ _> Rout both edges on "8" and ‘pieces with edge of stock on table and insidesame thickness. You'll get less blowout of the fragile outside corner if you choose relatively straight grained stock, Marking the Stock Lay out the pieces as if you opened fone corner and unrolled the assem- bly. That means all the inside faces are up and all the tops and bottoms are aligned with one another. Letter and mark the inside faces, as shown in figure 1. Now turn the pieces over and mark the outside faces. Number the edges on the faces (far enough. away from the edge so you don't rout them off!) to determine which edges are routed face down and which edges are routed on edge, so assem- bly goes as planned, Setting Up the Bit Each lock miter bit has a point that aligns with the middle of the edge of your stock, both vertically and hori- zontally. (See fig. 2.) {call that the “sweet spot” because when you find it and set the fence to register this spot, the bit will cut correctly, which is sweet indeed! Part of setting up the bit includes finding this sweet, SPEGIALYONTS WaTH SPEOAL OTS 119 area, You can study a full-size draw- ing in a bit catalog to help you get some reference points. Once you find the spot, I suggest you make a refer- ence gauge from a test piece to set Fig. 2: SETTING THE FENCE TO THE BIT ‘The distance from the point on the bt tothe fence equals 2 flat plus V2 thickness of workpiec Fence ‘Measure from this point on bit to fence J 2% Router table Fig. 3: SETTING THE BIT HEIGHT Fence Serap Step 1. With bt below tal position stock face down on table ‘against fence, then clamp serap to fence with its edge against stock Practice stock Router table ‘Stop 2. Remove stock and raise bit ‘nti touches serap.120 SPECIAL JoWTS WITH SPECIAL BTS alt Gauge the bit and fence. Use a previously cut joint to set the bit height and its distance from the fence the bit height and fence for your spe cific stock thickness. Store the gauge with your bit so you'll have starting place for future setups. a close 1, Install the bit in a variable-speed motor in the router table with the fence, and set the speed at 16,000 rpm or lower. 2. See the fen in figure 2, you can measure the flat with a dial caliper. Once you've cut the joint a few times, you can use a previously cut setup gauge to set the fence as well as the bit height. (See photo, above.) to the bit. As shown 3. The best method of setting the correct bit height is described in fig: ure 3. Start by lowering the bit below Keep it steady. Use a push stick to ‘move the work safely past the bit, and feed the piece in an even rate to avoid burning the table and placing a piece of the practice stock face down on the table and against the fence. Next, position the edge of a piece of thin scrap or top of the stock and clamp it to the fence. Move the stock aside. Now raise the bit until its cutting edge contacts the scrap. Remove the scrap and the stock, 4, Execute the router flight check and rout an edge on two practice pieces, using a push stick. (See photo, above.) Fit the two pieces together and check with your finger that their surfaces are dead flush, {See photo, below. If the setup looks good, you've just cut an edge-to-edge joint. And it's a necessary step for setting up to cut the miter joint lat test. After making the cut in two pieces, fit them together and check that their surfaces are flush with each other.Routing a Lock Miter Joint 1, Carry out the router flight check rout the pieces marked “A’ and “C" with the inside faces down on the table, just as you did the test sample when setting up the bit Make sure to rout both edges on each piece, and use a push stick for safe Making the Joint Fit 2. Rout both “BY and "D" pieces by standing each piece on edge with its inside face against the fence. This time, use a vertical push stick, and again rout both edges. (See photo, right.| Dry-fit the joint. If you're not happy with the fit, you'll have to make an adjustment to either the bit height or the fence setting, (See Making the Joint Fit, below) Setting up the lock miter bit correctly on the router table is crucial to achiev. ing a properly fitting joint. Once you've cut some sample pieces, test-fit the joint. If you're not satisfied with the fit, refer to the drawing below to see what the problem is. The fault will lie either with an incorrect bit height or fence setting. Once you've determined the problem, unplug the router and then make the necessary adjustments to the bit or the fence. Perfect! = Bit too high or fence too near Bit too low. ae Fence too far back ‘Stand it up. When constructing the miter joint, stand the adjoining piece on ‘edge and make the cut with the bit and fence at the same setting, Practice Project While there's no particular practice project in the book, for inspiration Te included a look at a piece I made that uses this joint. (See photo, below.| Please go ahead and take the challenge, and design a square or ree: tangular box, then give the joint a try. Depending on the height you make the box, you could use it for umbrellas or silk flowers, Flower Vase Maple and walnut iin. sa. x8 in tll Corners joined with lock miter 121COPE AND STICK APPLICATIONS Coperandestick joints are used {0 ‘make paneled or glass doors and frames for wall paneling. Panels can be flat or raised. You may even have 4 got of eopo-and-stiek doors in your own kitchen! WHAT'S NOT COVERED Arched rails are not covered bocause there ara so many different | arch stylas and each demands its ‘own template. In addition, the indi vidual door width affects the arch profile. For more on arched rails, refer to router bit catalogs, which sometimes offer sets of arch templates. Cope and Stick The cope-and-stick joint is created with a special router bit, or a set of bits, often referred to as rail-and-stile cutters. The routed joint consists of a decorative edge milled with a groove to accept the tongue of a panel or a pane of glass. “Stick” refers to the sticking, which is the profiled cut and its groove cut in the stiles and rails. The cope is the ‘matching negative profile, always cut into the end of a rail, and it includes a shore tongue. The coped area of the rail fits around the stick- ing in the stile, while its tongue fits the stiles groove. There are three kinds of cope-and- stick router bits: a reversible bit, a one-piece bit, and a matched pair of bits. [See Three Types of Bits, oppo site page.) The operations here show WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW, + door style (inset, half overlay, or overlay) + distance from inside stile to Inside stile mr «finished rail and stile width + wood panel or glass? + type of cutter (reversible, one-piece, or matched set) JIGS + push stick (page 49), + push sled (page 49) BITS AND TOOLS + cope-and-stick bit + router table using a reversible bit (my personal favorite), but you can select the bit of ‘your choice, since setup and machin- ing is generally the same for all types of eutters Stock Preparation. Rip all your material, including prac- tive stock, / in. wider than final size Cut each rail % in, longer than the inside distance between the stiles. This takes into account the extra % in, at each end of the rail that gets coped and fits into the sticking, Cut the stile stock / in, over length so this, combined with the extra width, will help protect edges and corners from banging around during clamping. This extra material also allows you to trim the assembled door to square it up or to fit it to a slightly out-of-square opening. wane )} Groove for ea Lay out the pieces in the order they'll go in the frame, and mark their relative positions as stiles and rails. Make sure to mark inside edges and outside faces as well. Generally, like to match the grain on paired stiles and rails. On the stiles, I orient any flame patterns, or cathedrals, so they point up. Height and depth. Once you've set the bit height, use a straightedge to align the fence flush with the bit's bearing,Fig. 4: REVERSIBLE BIT SETUP STICKING CUT Washer Shims brofie cuter ~~ arbor Three Types of Bits ‘There are three basic cope-and- stick bits you can choose from for making standard cope-and-stick doors. All three have their pros ‘and cons, and all three come in a variety of profiles for different decorative effects, from the com- ‘mon ogee and roundover to beads and bevels, Make sure to choose your profile carefully since you'll live with it for a long time. MATCHED BITS Advantage + no adjustment needed between stick and cope cuts Disadvantage + most costly Tips for use + rout sticking with outside facing down router table + cope ends with outside facing up COPE CUT — Profile cutter — Groove cutter [rau pre REVERSIBLE BIT Advantages + east expensive + adjustable with shims for routing iegular stock (such as undersized plywood) Disadvantage + reversing and reassembling bit can be tricky Tips for use + rout sticking with outside facing down oon router table + cope ends with outside facing up ‘ONE-PIECE BIT Advantage + no pieces to reassemble Disadvantage + no adjustability for irregular stock Tips for use + rout all pieces with outsides facing up SPECIAL JOOS wi SPEC BTS 123 VW, Sticking first. Orient the stock with its outside face down on the table and rout the sticking in two practice pieces. Routing a Cope-and- Stick Joint 1. You'll make the stick cut first on the inside edges of all the rails and stiles. Check the catalog and/or the instructions that came with the bit, and make sure to assemble the reversible bit in the correct order for the sticking cut. (See fig, 4.] Chuck the bit in the router and then install the motor in the router table, Raise the bit to the desired reveal, which is usually ¥e to % in. Mount the fence, and swing it flush with the bit's bearing, (See photo, opposite page.) 2, Remember, you'll rout with the stock's outside facing down, except when using a one-piece bit, Carry out the router flight check and rout the sticking on two practice pieces using a push stick. (See photo, above.| Check that you've routed a full pr file, and measure to make sure the depth of the groove is % in, indicat ing the fence is set correctly. Also inspect the depth of the reveal to confirm the look you want. When all is well, rout the inside edges of all the rails and stiles.Flush by fool. Uso a small ponknife blade to feel when the groove on the test pioca lines up with the tongua-cutting arya om th bit 3. Unplug the router and reset or replace the bit for the cope cut. You'll cope the ends of all the rails with their outside faces up on the table, regardless of the type of bit you're using. The profile section of the bit should be upside down, except when using a one-piece bit. Set the bit to the correct height by placing the stick-cut practice piece next to the bit, outside surface facing down, and adjust the bit until the tongue-cut- ting section of the cutter aligns pre- cisely with the groove in the stick piece. You can get this match accu rately by feel. Iuse the smallest blade in my penknife, rubbing its back edge across the bit and groove Cope like this. Use a push sled when making the cope cuts and orient the stock facing up, Like a glove. Check to see that the rout- ed joint fits woll, with tight shoulders and 2 seamless miter, to feel when the parts are dead flush, |Sce top photo, left.) 4, Swing the fence flush to the bit bearing, Place the end of the rail against the fence with its edge against a push sled. Periorm the router flight check, and then cope the end of one of your practice pieces, as shown in the bottom. photo, left. 5. Now insert the cope cut into the sticking piece. Look to see that the intersection is flush and the coped comers come together in a crisp miter. (See photo, above.) Ifthe fit is off, make the necessary adjustments now. (See Making the Joint Fit, right.) 6. When the fit is to your liking, complete the router flight check, and rout a cope cut into the long grain edge of a third practice piece. Use this piece to prevent blowout when running one half of all your cope cuts on the rails. Simply insert the coped piece into the sticking on your rail, flush up the ends, and rout the ‘wo pieces as one. (See top photo, right.) No tearout. When the rail’ sticking is ‘oriented towards the back of the cut and against the push block, nestle a coped piece into the sticking to back up the cut and prevent blowout. Making the Joint Fit ‘There are six possible scenarios you may run into that can result in a poor-fitting joint. Follow one of the suggestions below, depend- ing on the type of problem you encounter. 1. Rail and stile aren't flush: Adjust bit height. 2. Gap between rail and stile Adjust the fence. 3. Gap between the end of the tongue and the bottom of the groove: Adjust the fenc 4, Tongue is too thick (using a reversible bit): Reduce number of shims between groove cutter and profile cutter. '5, Tongue is too skinny (using a reversible bit): Add shims between groove cutter and profile cutter. 6. Door is too narrow for case ‘opening: You forgot to add % in. to the length of the rails!SEGAL JONTS WTH SPECIAL S125 RAISED PANEL WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW + inside dimensions of the frame + depth of the frame's groove + thickness of the panel BITS AND TOOLS + vertical raised-panel bit + push block + router with variable speed + horizontal router table setup (page 38) Raised Panel Raising a solid-wood panel, and then assembling it within a frame, pro: duces an attractive, well-craited door Although plywood can certainly be used for a panel, most of us like to see a raised-panel door, such as we see in a lot of kitchens and fine fur- niture, Raising a solid panel is an opportunity to display unique wood characteristics, carvings, and even contrasting woods. While the routed edges of the panel, called the reveals, are quite attractive, their practical purpose is to be thin enough on their edges to form a tongue that fits into the grooves milled into the frame members. ‘The secret to raising a panel is to acquire a panel-raising bit. There are three kinds of cutters to choose from, and they all work on the router table. (See Three Types of Bits, page 126.| Once you've selected the type of cutter, you can pick from a variety of profiles to create a number of dis tinctive reveals, from an assortment of bevels and ogees to matching, ‘cope-and-stick profiles and other curves, And you can raise both the front and the back of the panel if you wish. Since it's one of my favorites, Vl focus on using a vertical panel raising bit for raising a panel on both sides to fit into a cope-and-stick frame, Once you get familiar with the basic technique, you can use any of the panel raisers mentioned here for making beautiful solid wood doors. Stock Preparation Tf you have access to wide boards, by all means use them for your panels, Tf not, edge join your stock until the desired panel width is achieved Surface the panel smooth, and don’t forget to include a practice board sur- faced to the same thickness. For a standard %in.-thick frame, you may ‘want to reduce your panel’s thick: ness to % in. to avoid having to remove material from the back of the panel, The procedure shown here is, for a full ¥-in--thick panel When making raised-panel doors, I always make the frame first. To determine the size of the panel, lightly clamp the frame together and Tongue Back cut— measure its inside dimensions, To find the panel's length, measure the inside height of the frame, add twice the depth of the groove, and then subtract Yi in. To find the panel’s width, measure the inside width of the frame, add two groove depths, and then Subtract / in. Subtracting more across the width in this man- ner takes into account the planned expansion and contraction of the panel across its grain. (See photo, below) Keep in mind that subtract: ing % in, is the right amount for a panel that’s about 12 in. wide. If ‘you double the panel's width, then ‘Measure for movement. Dry-assemble the frame and moasure arose its width 10 dotermine how wide to make your panel.Three Types of Bits You can choose from three types of I of which are avail- ty of profiles. Your choice depends on the factors dascribed below. ‘STANDARD HORIZONTAL BIT This ia the most recognizable type of bit. I sports a bearing to control the width of the reveal, and its large diamotor necessitates that you use a large, variable-speed router, set to its slowest speed. As with any panel raising bit, cuts must be made in increments. You do this by raising the bit a little each time. When using this type of bit with a % in, panel, the back requires @ separate operation to keep the front in the same plane as the frame. You can use the same bit to do this, removing only enough material to create the tongue that fits into the groove in the frame. HORIZONTAL BIT WITH BACK CUTTER, ‘This type of cutter is the most expen- sive, and is typically found on big bits, Like the standard horizontal bit, this cutter comes with a bearing. The notable difference is the addition of a back cutter. This arrangement allows ‘Three types of raisers, tent styles, shown from left to right: standard horizontal bit; horizontal back cutter; and vertical bit mo ‘you to mill the front and back of the panel in the same pass, which saves time. This procedure is very demanding, so make sure you have a powerful, variable-speed router. Unlike the standard bit, taking incre- mental cuts involves adjusting the bit to its final height to begin with and adjusting the fence into the bit to expose only a small portion of its ‘cutting edges. Then you move the fence back in small amounts, taking successive passes until the entire profile is cut. VERTICAL BIT My favorite of the three, the vertic bit is the least expensive and is avail- able in the same common profiles. Its relatively small diameter makes it much easier on the router and safer to use. There isn't a bearing on this style of bit. Instead, you rely on the fence to control the cut. While this type of bit can be used in a standard router table equipped with a tall fence, it's a tipsy affair since you hold the stock on edge to make the cut. You're better off installing the bit in a horizontal router table setup so you can comfortably guide the work flat on the table. sme profile. Panel-raising bits come in three differ- it with double the amount you subtract, and so on. This rule of thumb ensures your doors don’t blow apart due to the panel swelling and pushing on the joints in the frame. ‘Mark the outside face of the panel in the middle where you won't rout it off, and indicate which end is up. Routing a Raised Panel ‘To build a door where the panel is flush with the outside surface of the frame, you'll need to keep in mind that the tongue on the panel won't necessarily be centered on the stock's thickness. You can get an idea of where to locate the tongue by placing the panel stock on a flat surface adja cent to the groove in a frame piece. 1. Set up the horizontal table setup, install a vertical bit in a variable speed router, and secure the router to the metal plate. 2. Extend the bit to the desired reveal. Then raise the plate so the bit is high enough above the table to remove about Jin. of stock. (See photo, below.) Raise it a little. Plan to make cuts in small, in. increments, starting with the bit about J in. above the table,End grain first. Start by routing the end of the panel, using a push block to guide the work past the bit. Long grain second. Mil the adjacent long-grain edge, and continue this rota tion to rout the remaining two edges. This approach reduces tearout on the del icate end-grain edges. Got the back, too. To produce a pane! that's flush with the frame, make a few passes on the back side to create an off SPECIAL JONTS WITH SPECIAL OTS 127 ae Slide-in fit. The finished tongue should slip into the groove by hand. You shouldn't have to hammer it home, and there shouldn't be any rattle between the groove and the panel. 3. Plan to rout the end grain first, then the long grain of one edge, then the opposite end grain, and finally the opposite long-grain edge. Begin by performing the router flight check, and rout the practice stock with its outside surface down on the table, Be sure to use a push block for safety. (See top photo, left.) 4, Proceed to cut all around the panel, making your second cut on the adjacent long-grain edge, as shown in the middle photo, leit Make the third cut on the opposite end, and the fourth cut on the remaining long-grain edge. 5, Remember to take incremental cuts during the routing procedure, moving the bit up about / in, after each pass On the first couple of passes, flip the stock over to cut the back face. (See photo, left.) After cutting around the panel at each bit setting, lay the panel on your bench next to a grooved frame piece and check that the tongue is shaping up to the right size and in the right place 6. Once the back of the panel is flush with the back of the frame, continue making passes on the out side face only, again orienting the stock with its outside face down on the table, Remember to maintain the correct rotation of the panel as you make your cuts, and work slowly up to the final tongue thickness. As the reveal gets wider, reduce the amount that you raise the bit. The last pass should be very light; [call it a “kiss pass, Aim for removing for a smooth and burn-free Last cut ‘The final cheek is to test-fit the panel in the groove. It should slide in easily but without rattling, (See photo, above.| in. of less Practice Project If you've gone this far and successtul- ly completed a vope-and-stick frame and a raised panel to fit, you deserve a hand. Congratulations! You're ready to make the Frame-and-Panel Door on page 153 that swings on the Router Bit Cabinet (see page 150]SECTION 3: Special StuffRouting with Templates onsider this section a bonus. You've patiently leaned the joinery skills presented in this ( book—now it’s time to have some fun. There are three techniques you can practice that uti lize templates for making all sorts of shapes: template routing, complementary template ‘outing, and template inlay, Although technically not joinery, cach of these router skills will let ‘ou cut complex shapes, adding interest and dimension to your woodworking, Template routing vill let you duplicate parts quickly and efficiently, such as routing a shop-full of push sticks or naking items to sell at your local craft fair. Complementary template routing lets you make com- slementary curved shapes that nest together, opening up a whole world of interesting, projects for ‘ou to explore, And learning to rout inlays with a template will help you fix defects, stabilize cracks, or simply beautify your projects by adding interesting designs into your work.‘Template makes the shape. Once you make a wooden template (right, i's a ‘snap to rout one or more parts, such as ‘the wooden bracket shown here. Template Routing Building furniture often requires matching details such as brackets, corbels, or any number of curved sur- faces or edges. And making crafts for sale usually requires making copies— and making them at regular intervals. ‘Template routing is the easiest ‘method for making these curves and for producing them in mass. In addi- tion, using template routing allows you to make parts more predictably and with greater speed. Perhaps the best attribute of all is that, when done carefully, this technique practi- cally eliminates sanding! ‘Template routing works by making a template to the exact shape you want and attaching it to a piece af wood that’s been cut to the rough final shape. You then use a router and flush-trimming bit with a bearing. that follows the shape of the tem- plate to mill a perfect copy in the stock, Luckily, there are only few rules that apply, and you'll need a minimum of tools to get started Making the Template Figure 1 shows a typical template in the shape of a curved bracket for the corbels T produce in my work. I ec- ommend medium-density fiberboard [MDE] for your templates because it’s inexpensive, flat, and stable Panels that are / in. thick work best and present a smooth edge for the Dit's bearing to follow. Draw your desired design on the panel, then use a bandsaw to cut out the shape. Smooth the sawn edges with medium-grit sandpaper, taking your time to remove any small dips or bumps, as the bearing will roll over every imperfection and faithful- ly reproduce it in your work. It’s a good idea to paint or apply a coat or two of finish to the surface of the template. This lets you fasten the panel to your stock multiple times without damaging it. Hot glue is my preferred method of attaching the template to the stock (see The Secret of Hot Glue, page 65) and a painted surface will easily pop off the routed piece once the cutting is done. Fig. 1: TEMPLATE ANATOMY Vein. plywood ‘Make wide enough to register against straight ‘edges of workpi Glue and nail to MOF Vein. MOF Cut out and smooth tomplate to exact TEMPLATE ROUTING | WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW + desired shape of piece + stock thickness JIGS + router table BITS AND TOOLS + flush-trimming bit + bandsaw, jigsaw, sorolisaw, or coping saw MATERIALS AND HARDWARE + in. plywood (as needed) + in, MOF ‘When drawing the shape of your template, keep in mind that the only limitation you have is the diameter of the bearing on your flush-trim: ming bit. Make sure that all inside radii on the template are larger than the bit's bearing; my rule of thumb is at least % in, bigger. A slightly larger radius allows you to feed the bit more smoothly into and out of the curve, reducing the chance of hesita- tion and burning. If the pattern you wish to make has fone or more straight edges, attach a small plywood fence to each edge of the template so you can quickly align the workpiece and help keep the template in place throughout the routing process. Routing with a Template 1. Choose a stock thickness that won't exceed the capacity of your flush-trimming bit. Then use the‘Trace it first. Follow the template with a pencil to draw the contour onto your stook, Fences on the edge of the template make it easy to align with the work, template as a pattern to trace the shape onto the stock, as shown in the photo, above. 2. Cut out the shape on the band- saw, scrollsaw, jigsaw, or coping saw, staying outside, or to the waste side, of your pencil line by Vie to %4 in. (See photo, below.) ‘Saw out the rough shape. I's fast and ‘easy to cut out the contours by staying about } in, outside your pencil line. Stick ‘em together. Use hot glue to secure the template to the sawn stock, ‘making Sure the edge of the stock fextends at least in, beyond the tem: plate along its curved areas. 3. Use hot glue to attach the tem- plate to the rough-cut stock, check- ing that the sawn edge extends beyond the edges of the template. (See photo, above.) 4 Install a flush-trimming bit in the router table. Place the template and ‘workpiece on the table with the tem- plate side facing up, and adjust the bit height so the bearing is roughly centered on the template’s edge. To ensure the entire edge of the work- pict bit’s cutting flutes are slightly above the stock and at the level of the tem: plate, (See top photo, right.| 5, Execute the router flight check (see page 76). Use the heel of your hand to start the cut (see Routing, Without a Fence, page 73), and employ the skiing technique |see Skiing Into the Cut, page 75] to rout the shape in a smooth, continuous motion. (See middle photo, right.) 6. Pop off the template, clean away any glue residue, and you're done! c is cut, check that the top of the OUTING wird TEMPLATES 191 Center the bearing. Raise the bit so the bearing makes good contact with the ledge of the template, withthe cutting ledges of the bit slightly above the stock. Move the template onto the bearing to begin the cut, then ride the bearing around the contours of the template. Practice Project Now that you've got the hang of it there are two jig handles—one for the offset baseplate [page 52) and one for the push stick (page 50}—that offer ideal and useful opportunities to practice template routing,132 OUTING wn TEMPLATES Complementary Template Routing Complementary template routing takes standard template routing to the next level by allowing you to duplicate two (or more} parts that fit together along an irregular edge. One example is the cabinet shown in the photo, right, where a series of curv- ing drawer fronts fit together. Using this technique you can glue together all sorts of undulating edges to make a variety of interesting projects, such as tabletops, door panels, breadboards, pizza paddles—your imagination is the only limit, The best part is that the finished product will have your ‘woodworking buddies asking, “How'd you do that?” Matching curves using complemen. tary template routing is easy to do and requires few tools. However, it does require a bit of concentration: and a lot of careful labeling, You start bby making a master pattern, which is, an exact copy of your desired design. ‘You use this pattern and a special washer to make a master template Next, you use the master template and a straight bit fitted with a stop collar and an oversized bearing to make matching left and right tem. plates. Then you use a flush-trim: ming bit and the left and right templates to mill the two work- pieces. Once you've routed the curved design in the workpieces, you can glue them together, wavy edge to wavy edge. One useful tool to have for this pro: cedure, and not mentioned else where in the book, is a French curve. This is a plastic template (available at art-supply stores} that helps you draw fair lines. A fair line is a term borrowed from boatbuilding, and Nesting curves. Furniture maker Dan Ginaling used complementary template routing to rout the wavy sycamore drawer fronts on his award-winning CD cabinet, Photo by Martin Mann refers to an undulating line that seamlessly transitions from one curve to another—an important fea- ture when making templates. You can easily judge a fair line by simply running your fingers along its edge to determine that it's fair. The tran- sitions should be perfectly smooth, without bumps or dips Make the Master Pattern The first step is to make a master pattern, from which you'll create the ‘master template. There are only two limitations when making the master pattern. You're limited to % in. diam- COMPLEMENTARY TEMPLATE ROUTING WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW jred shape of piece + stock thickness JIGS + offset baseplate (page 52) + router table BITS AND TOOLS +x 2h in. spiral bit with % in bearing and % in. stop collar +n. flush-trimming bit + French curve + hot-glue gun + bandsaw, jigsaw, scrolisaw, or coping saw + router with % and % in. collets MATERIALS AND HARDWARE + “magic” washer “in, MDF + scrap MDF or similar ters when drawing inside (concave) curves, and sharp corners are not possible. Otherwise, you can fashion any curved line you like. Sketch your design on posterboard or thin cardboard for transferring onto plywood or MDE, or pencil your line directly onto the pattern material Make sure your line is about 1 in. longer than the desired pattern on each end of the panel, and use a French curve to help with drawing smooth fair lines. (See top left photo, opposite page.| iDraw the design. Use a French curve to help create smooth lines on the pattern material Cut out the pattern on the bandsaw, or use a jigsaw, scrollsaw, or coping saw, Smooth the edges with sandpa- per and files, or use an oscillating spindle sander, being careful to keep the edges as perpendicular as possi- ble. Keep in mind that this is the line that the bearing will follow, so a smooth and continuous edge counts. Once you've faired and smoothed the edge, mark this as the master pattern. Make the Master Template You will need a “magic washer” to make the master template. This is simply a flat washer where the differ- ence between its outside and inside diameter equals ¥ in., and it’s the secret to successful complementary template routing. If you can't find one in your shop, take your dial calipers to the hardware store and rummage through the washers sold loose in a bin. Once you have your magic washer in hand, use hot glue to adhere the master pattern to a piece of % in. MDF that's the same length as the pattern and at least 6 in. wide at the narrowest point of the design. Place the magic washer against the master pattern, insert a sharp pencil into the washer’s hole, and trace a perfect / in, offset line by riding the washer along the edge of the template. (See photo, right.] Set the master pattern aside; you won't need it again. Cut out the MDF and sand to the line, just as you did for the master pat term, and mark the panel as the mas ter template. Make the Left and Right Templates Now you can make the “working! templates that will let you rout the actual workpieces. Start by sticking the master template on top of and to one side of another piece of / in. MDF with hot glue, making sure this next piece of MDF is twice as wide as the master template. Mark the exposed side with an “X.” Secure a % in, bearing and a stop col- Jar on the shank of a %/ in. spiral bit, RouTING TH TEMPLATES. 133 ‘The perfect offset. Place the tip of @ pencil on the inner edge of the magic ‘washer and ride it along the template to create a line that's offset by precisely % in. and install the bit in your router. Attach an offset baseplate to the router base, then set the bit depth so the bearing will ride against the edge of the master template, the bit will cut the bottom MDF piece in two, and the stop collar doesn’t interfere with anything, (See photo, below.| Once you've set up the router and Ready to rout. Once you've set up the bit with its oversized bearing, clamp the ‘assembly to the benchtop, making sure there's a scrap piece underneath to avoid routing into your bench134 ROUTING win TEMPLATES Mill the loft tempt Label it “loft.” Mark the pio Save the "X" piece for making the right template. Concentrate on keeping the bearing on the bit against the edge of the master template as you rout the piece into two parts 2 directly under the master template as the left tomplate. bit, temporarily glue or clamp the whole assembly on top of a scrap piece of MDF or similar material (so you won't rout into your bench!), and clamp the scrap to your benchtop. Complete the router flight check. Keeping the bearing firmly against the master template, rout the MDF in two, Beware that any deviation o the bearing with the edge of the tem: plate will result in a “new” design, so make this cut as smoothly and as evenly as possible. [See photo, left Remove the master template and label the piece under it as the left template, as shown in the bottom photo, | Use the remaining piece marked with an “X" to make the matching right template. Use hot glue again to attach the piece to a fresh piece of in. MDE. Set up the router table with the same bit and bearing, then rout the offset cut, as shown in the top left photo, opposite page. Pop off the “X” piece and set it aside, you won't need it again. Label the newly cut piece as the right template, and check your work by nesting the left and right templates together to make sure they fit along their curved edges. [See middle left photo, oppo: site page.) Routing Right and Left Workpieces 1. Lay the right template on top of a piece of stock marked “right work piece” and trace its outline along the shaped edge, then repeat with the left template on a piece of stock marked “left workpiece.” For fun, try using contrasting wood for the two parts, as shown in the bottom left photo, opposite page. 2. Using the bandsaw or a similar out the two blanks proud ofRout the right. With the “X" piece glued to a new piece of MDF, use the router table to cut the right template, - Hold the two templates together and check that their undulating ‘edges meet perfectly aes Lay out the joints. Use the right and left templates to mark the joint lines on ‘the workpieces. Using contrasting woods can add an element of fun to your work the pencil lines by about Y« to % in. ‘Then use hot glue to secure each template to its corresponding blank, aligning the template to the pencil line on the stock. There should be ¥ to / in, of extra material beyond the edge of each template. Install a flush- trimming bit in the router table and rout each workpiece flush with its template, (See photo, right.| 3. Spread glue along the curved edges of the work, and draw the joint together with clamps. (See photo, below.] Once the glue has dried, scrape and smooth the panel. Keep in mind that your curving designs can repeat several times across a wide panel, and you can make alter: nating workpieces from several dif- ferent species of wood for extra impact. ROUTING WITH TEMPLATES 138, ~ a. ke oe Rout it flush. Use a flush-timming bit with a bearing to mill the edges of the stock even with the template. Practice Project Now go and have some fun making the Breadboard (page 141). Don't for get to be ereative and let your imagi nation run fret Put it together. Use bar clamps to pull the glued joint line together. After the glue dries, smooth the panel and apply your favorite finish!136 ROUTING WITH TEMPLATES Cool cover. This inlaid piece of walnut is @ great way to add exciting designs to your work, or simply cover up natural defects in your stock Template Inlay Inlays can enhance your woodwork ing, provide structural support, or cover defects or mistakes. If you're dealing with inlays that have straight, parallel edges [such as wood band: ings}, its simple enough to mill a dado or groove into the stock (see Dadoes, Grooves, and Slots, page 85], and then glue the inlay into the recess. For irregular shapes, however, a template is needed to guide the cut ‘Template inlay is a two-part process that utilizes a shop-made template and an inlay kit, which is a special- ized type of template guide bushing. Using a template, first you mill a cavity in the wood’s surface, then you make an inlay patch that fits into the cavity perfectly. One com ‘mon application is to make football- shaped “Dutchman” inlays that cover _ defects. Another approach is to stabi- lize eracks by spanning them with a bow tie-shaped patch. Inlay can also be strictly decorative, such as inlay- ing ribbons of contrasting or decora- tive wood patterns into tabletops and other surfaces. Keep in mind that if you want sharp points or corners in your design, you'll need to chisel these out by hand, because a router bit can’t nego- tiate the sharp areas. All other shapes are possible as long as inside (concave} curves are greater than a %in, diameter. Choosing the Inlay Material and the Bit Dimension your inlay material first, milling it at least 4 in, longer and wider than your desired pattern. For a special effect, try choosing a wood TEMPLATE INLAY WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW + thickness of inlay material + desired shape of inlay BITS AND TOOLS + 4x2 in. spiral bit or end mill with adapter + inlay kit (page 28) + router with baseplate that accepts template guide + bandsaw, jigsaw, scrollsaw, or coping saw MATERIALS AND HARDWARE +e oF % in, MDF or similar + solid wood for inlay, maximum Ain, thiek that contrasts with the stock that’s receiving it. Typical stock thickness is 4 to / in,, depending on the type of inlay you wish to make and the working length of your bit, as described below. Secure the inlay kit to your router's baseplate, installing the nut on the inside of the plate and the bushing, or collar, on the outside, Then slip the special removable bushing over the collar. A rubber O-ring keeps the bushing in place. Chuck an % in, bit in the collet. Keep in mind that these small diam- eter bits can break easily. I prefer using a less-expensive end mill for this operation, so I’m not out too much money if the bit snaps during routing. The overall length of your bit is also critical. You'll need to fac tor the depth of the cavity you wishto rout (which equals the thickness of your inlay stock], the required bit depth in your collet (see Router Bits page 13], the thickness of your tem- plate, plus a clearance factor between the collet and the guide bushing of about in. For example, on my router, a 2-in--long bit can eut as deep as % in. OF course, at that depth, great care must be taken to avoid breaking the bit Making the Pattern ‘The first thing you'll do is make a template, which is a cutout of the approximate shape of the inlay you want, While any length of inlay is possible using this technique, the width of your design is limited to about 2/;in., thus the opening in your template will be no more than 2/s in. This provides adequate sup- port for the router as you move it across the opening in the template, especially when excavating the inlay. You can use practically any material for the template, but keep in mind that the edges of the template must be smooth enough for the bushing to ride on. Plywood will work if you do a good job of sanding it, but I prefer medium-density fiberboard (MDF) ot Make it smaller by hand. Mark the ceutout in the template by drawing the desired shape of the inlay, then offsetting tha line by ye by % in melamine-coated particleboard (MCP). Thin templates work best, but make sure the template material is slightly thicker than the bushing so the bushing won't drag on the sur- face of your stock. Template material Yo to % in, thick is usually about right. Also, make the template at least 4 in, wider all the way around the pattern’s shape to safely support the router, ‘Once you've chosen your template material, draw the desired shape of the inlay directly onto it. You'll to offset the line and make the ope ing smaller by the amount of offset in your bushing, typically / in. For an exact pattern, you can use the same technique used in complemen- tary template routing and acquire the appropriate size “magic” washer (see page 32), where the difference between the inside and outside diam- eter of the washer equals the neces sary offset. A high-tech way would be to draw the shape in a computer- aided design (CAD) program on your computer. Or simplify things and do as I do: First draw or trace your design onto the template material, then sketch freehand inside the pat tern to create the necessary offset, as shown in the bottom photo, left After marking the template, carefully cut out the pattern by first drilling a hole through the template and then inserting a jigsaw, scrollsaw, or cop: ing saw blade through the hole and guiding the saw along the inside line. Sand the edges smooth. Routing the Recess 1. With the removable bushing installed on the router, set the bit depth equal to the thickness of your inlay material. The best way to adjust the depth is to place the ten plate on the router's baseplate, then Sot the bit upside down. Position the template on the baseplate and the inlay ‘material on the template, and raise the bit until its even with the surface of the inlay stock. position the inlay material on top of the template and set the bit flush with the top of the stock. (See photo, above.) 2. Use hot glue to attach the tem plate to the surface of the stock in which the inlay will be applied Rout the recess. Start in the middle, then move to the edges of the template to rout the offset cavity 1371138 nour wi TEMPLATES 3, Perform the router flight check, and check that the removable bush- ing is still attached to the router, With the router tilted slightly on the template so the bit isn't in contact, turn on the router, then carefully lower the bit into the opening in the template and into the stock. Alternatively, you can use a plunge router and plunge the bit into the stock. Work from the center out, tak- ing small cuts in a circular fashion. (See bottom right photo, previous page.) Continue routing, riding the bushing against the edges of the tem- plate to mill the entire recess, leav ing a flat bottom. Make a final pass in a clockwise direction, holding the bushing firmly against the pattern template edge 4. Pop the template loose and remove any glue residue from both, the wood and the template. Routing the Inlay 1. If your inlay material is particularly small, attach it to a larger scrap panel with hot glue. Then secure the template on top of the inlay stock, again using hot glue. If necessary, temporarily glue some scrap blocks equal in thickness to the inlay on the panel to support the router and pre~ ‘vent it from tipping 2. Remove the bushing from the template guide, and carry out the router flight check. Place the router over the template, with the edge of the bushing firmly against the open: ing in the template. Tilt the bit up, tum on the router, and then plunge the bit into the stock. Now rout around the opening, maintaining firm contact between the bushing, and the edge of the template. Any deviation will result in an imperfect inlay. (See top photos.) ‘Mill the inlay. Remove the outer bushing, then rout the inlay by carefully f the edges of the template. 3, Test-fit the inlay into the cavity. (See photo, right.| If you see any imperfections or if you need to cut any sharp points, now is the time to clean them up by hand with a chisel. 4, Once you're satisfied with the fit, apply an even coat of glue to the bot- tom and to the walls of the recess, line up the inlay over the opening, and then tap it fully into the recess using a soft hammer. (See right photo, below.) Once the glue has dried, scrape and sand the surface and apply the finish of your choice. Practice Project ‘There ate no specific projects in the book that require inlay, but now that you've got the knack of it, don’t hesi- tate to use this technique for fixing defects or for adding a decorative effect to your furniture, Above all, have fun! lowing Check out the fit. Before gluing the inlay in place, testis fit in the cavity by pushing it in only Ye in. oF 8. ‘Tap it home. Coat the walls and the bot tom of the recess with glue, then tap the inlay into place with firm blows from a soft-faced hammer. eeeSECTION 4:140 PROJECTS THAT TEST YOUR JOINERY SKILLS Projects That Test Your Joinery Skills here are seven great projects | in this chapter that I've chosen -specially for you to practice the joints presented in this book. I hope you find them fun, practical, a little challenging, and immensely satisfying, Three thoughts before you proceed There is no tool in the shop more underestimated than the lowly square. No project can be successful: ly completed without a truly square square. What could be more frustrat- ing than investing a lot of time and effort in a project, only to find that it is out of square and your doors don't fit, your drawers bind, and the piece ‘won't sit flat on the floor! So check ‘your square often, and square it if it needs it. (See Squaring a Square, page 25.) Keep in mind that once you're working with a reliable square, don't assume the cut you're about to make will be square, Check your setup. Experienced craftspeople check often and check automatically, without even thinking about it. You should get in the habit, too. Woodworking is supposed to be fun- are the key to that fun, and square cuts The second point is that I'd like you to consider the projects shown here a stepping stones on the path towards even more rewarding work. Hopefully, when you've completed these small projects, you'll have a good grasp on making similar furni- ture, in different and more challeng- ing sizes, The third note is about the drawings and the cutting lists. Take your time to study the drawings, since they have most of the building informa- tion in them. And please use the cut- ting lists as guides only. As is the case with most lists, the dimensions are listed in the order of thickness x width x length. If you would like to change the size of a project to suit your own needs and tastes, by all means feel free to do so. Just make sure you alter the dimensions to reflect your changes. Along the same lines, don’t think the listed dimen sions are the final word, and above all don’t cut your parts straight from each list. Usually it’s best to cut the major components of any one project and assemble those pieces first, then take direct measurements from your assembly to determine the actual sizes you'll need for subsequent parts. This is a smart and more real istic way of woodworking, and pre vents headaches and mistakes Good luck. Proceed carefully, not just for your own safety, but also for the success of your project. Most impor tantly, have funBreadboard ‘This jazzy breadboard employs com- plementary template routing for cre ating undulating waves of contrasting strips of wood in its con- struction. (See Complementary ‘Template Routing, page 132.] Once you've made the necessary tem- plates, the project is easy to build and makes good use of small or skin- ny leftover stock that’s too expensive ‘to burn or throw away. The patterns, or curves, on the board shown here repeat themselves, but at slightly different angles. Because of this, you only need to make one template, then attach it at different angles to make irregular looking strips. This is one of those great gift projects. Make several and stash them until you need a present. ‘Making them will be a lot more fun, less expensive, and more relaxing than going to the mall! Building Steps 1. Make left and right templates by first constructing a master pattern and then making a master template ‘Make sure your templates are about an inch to two longer than the fin- ished breadboard. 2. Use the left and right templates to trace their outlines onto your mating stock pieces, and saw out the strips to rough shape, staying about ‘ in. away from your lines. Remember to select two of your strips for the long, ‘edges of the board, leaving their outer edges straight, 5. Attach each template to its corre sponding stock piece, carry out the router flight check (see page 76), and rout the stock to final shape using a flush-trimming bit. PROJECTS THAT TEST YOUR JONERY SKIS 141 Waves of wood. Serve your bread in style on this board made from edge-glued strips cut to precise shapes using complementary templates. 6, Spread glue on the edges of each strip (except for the two outer edges, of course!), and clamp the assembly. 7. Once the glue has dried, scrape and sand the joints and rip and ‘erosscut the panel to finished size 8, Break all the sharp edges either with a block and sandpaper or round them over with a roundover bit. Leave the board bare if you like, or apply your favorite finish, Alternate strips with ‘contrasting woods. |. 1: BREADBOARD CONSTRUCTION, ~ Round over al outsee edges with 3/8 roundover bit ator assembly‘V42 PROJECTS THAT TEST YOUR JOINERY SKILLS Totebox This totebox features partitions that divide the box into compartments, making it a handy box to store and carry different items. You can use it for holding shop supplies, storing silverware for the dining room table, or any number of other uses you can dream up. I made the box shown here from red oak, but go ahead and choose your favorite hardwood if you like. Box joints join the comers of the box. (See Box Joint, page 92.) I used a sin. spiral bit to rout the notches, and designed the box's height in a multiple of / in. to make laying out and cutting these joints a snap. If you want to use a different bit and alter the box's height, remember to change the width of the sides so they’re multiples of the new bit’s diameter. Here’s a hint. Once you have your box joint jig dialed in, make several boxes. They make won derful gifts, and you, dear friend, will be somebody's woodworking hero! Building Steps 1. Mill all the stock to thickness. If you want your box to hold heavy items, such as nails, use ¥ in. thick material 2. Cut the sides to length. Check that the ends are square, and that the sides opposite each other are exactly the same length. 3. Set up the box joint jig [see page 46), and rout the comers. Dry. assemble the box and mark the inside faves and the bottom edges. 4, Disassemble the box and mark the grooves for the bottom. Take note that two of the grooves are stopped Tote in style. The carry-all features box jointed corners and dividers that keep all your gear organized, so they don't show on the outside of the finished box. Mark the appropri ate stops, then go ahead and rout the grooves in all four sides. (See Dadoes, Grooves, and Slots, page 85.) 5. Reassemble the box and measure for the bottom. Cut the bottom ‘v in. smaller than your measurement to allow for easier assembly and glue-up. ‘Test-it the bottom, then set it aside, Totebox CUTTING LIST Description Qty. Dimensions (in.) Material Sides 4 Bx3x8 % stock Handle divider 1 Bx YX TI! % stock Short dividers 2 x dy x 7Y % stock Bottom 1 YX Tie xT plywood[PROJECTS THAT TEST YOUR JONNY SKILLS 143, Fig. 2: TOTEBOX CONSTRUCTION Fig. 3: DIVIDER PATTERNS Hanae divider Cut out for handle, Handle divider _—— Dad, Win. deep x Y2in. wide Stopped dado, Yin. deep x Vein. wide Groove, Yin. deep x Vein, wide 1 square = Yin, Short divider out stopped grooves ~~ in two opposing sides. Fig. 4: BOX ELEVATIONS144 Pro. 6. Mark the stopped dadoes in the middle of each side, and then rout the dadoes. 7. Make the dividers, cutting out the profiles using a bandsaw, scrollsaw, jigsaw, or coping saw. Drill a few holes in the handle area in the han- dle divider, then finish the cutout with a jigsaw or coping saw. Rout a dado centered on either side of the handle divider 8, Dry-assemble and clamp the parts together to check the fit. This is especially important because the trickiest part of this project is gluing it up. Disassemble and sand all inte: rior surfaces. 9. Glue-up requires you to work quickly and smoothly. Have all your supplies on hand, including clamps and your gluing tools (I use an old toothbrush, a damp rag, and a dish of water. Ordinary yellow glue will give you enough open time, but if you feel you need a little extra time, use white glue. It will be plenty strong, Start the glue-up by joining one cor ner. Next, insert the bottom, glue one short divider into the handle divider, and then insert the dividers into their respective dadoes with glue. Add the side on the opposite end of the handle divider, then install the second short divider Finally, add the last side. Make sure the dividers are sitting firmly on the bottom. Square up the box, and clamp. Check for square and clean up any glue squeeze-out, especially on the inside joints. Allow the box to dry overnight, 10, Finish-sand the exterior surfaces, breaking all sharp edges with a sand- ing block. Apply the finish of your choice, Basic books. This small cabinot is just right for storing a specialized library, plus its ‘small size is ideal for practicing your hand at routing rabbets and dadoes. Small Bookcase This small bookcase is useful for storing and displaying cookbooks, children’s books, computer books, or any small collection of special-inter. est reading material. Glued dadoes and rabbets hold the parts together. A nice touch is the router-made ‘molding that wraps around the top and bottom of the case. Perhaps the best part of this project is that it uti: lizes the same construction tech: niques used on large bookcases so you'll learn some valuable tips for making larger units, Building Steps 1. Cut the two sides to exactly the same length and width, Mark the insides, the bottom edge, and the front edge. 2. Place the sides back edge-to-back edge, and measure from the bottom of the sides to mark the centerlinesof cach dado location. If you plan on storing taller books on the bottom shelf, adjust the fixed sheli’s location accordingly by measuring your tallest book and adding 1 in. Make sure to mark the stopped dado for the fixed shelf / in, in from the front edge of the sides. 3. Execute the router flight check, mill the dadoes, and then square the stopped ends with a sharp chisel. (See Dadoes, Grooves, and Slots, page 85.) 4. Rip the top and bottom shelves to exactly the same width, and rip the fixed shelf 4 in, narrower to accom ‘modate the back. Then crosscut all three parts to precisely the same length. Lay out and notch the front corners of the fixed shel to fit the stopped dadoes in the sides, using a fine handsaw. 5. Dry-assemble and clamp the sides to the top and bottom in preparation for routing the rabbet for the back. Set the fixed shelf aside for now. Made to ord This router-made mold- ing is easy to make and miters neatly {around the front to finish off the case Small Bookcase CUTTING LIST individual molding strips. Check for square by taking diagonal measurements, and make any neces: sary adjustments. Cut some 2 in. long scraps to fit into the rear of the fixed-shelf dadoes, using masking, tape to hold them in place for the next step. 6, Set up and install a rabbetting bit in your router with a bearing that allows for a % in. wide rabbet. (See Rabbets, page 78,] Secure an offset baseplate to your router and set the bit depth to the thickness of your back material. The idea is to ride the router on the back edges of the assembled cabinet to rout the rabbet, which is a tricky balancing act. For more support, I make an oversized baseplate that spans the width of the bookcase and sports two handles for more control. Once you've set up the router, execute the router flight check and rabbet the back by riding the bearing all around the inside of the ase, (See photo, right.) Finish by squaring up the rounded corners with a few cuts from a chisel. PROJECTS TWAT TEST YOUR JOINERY SKLLS 145 Description Qty.-——Dimensions in.) Mat Sides 2 x 10% x28 % stock Top 1 Wx 10% x 14 % stock Bottom 1 ax 10x 14 4% stock Fixed shelf 1 Wx 10% x 14 % stock Back 1 Mx 1ayix 22 plywood Cleats 2 Wx x 13% % stock Molding 1 x Vix 48 % stock x31 in, wide * * Note: Rout both edges of stock, then rip in half to produce 7. With the assembly still clamped together, measure for the back. Then ccut the back to size, making sure the sides are square to cach other since a square back helps square up the case during assembly. Test-ft the back before removing the clamps, 8, Sand all inside surfaces. Brush the dadoes with glue and clamp the Rigid rabbetting. The author secures her router to an oversize baseplate for better support when routing the rabbets for the back into the edges of the case.Fig. 5: BOOKCASE CONSTRUCTIONPROUSCTS THAT TEST YOUR JONERY SKULS 147 assembly together. Insert the back Fig. 6: CASE ELEVATIONS and test for square, but don't glue or fasten the back just yet | Front Side aah 5 | 29. Measure between the sides, mill the two cleats, and glue and clamp them in place. Allow the assembly to dry undisturbed overnight, 10. While the bookcase is drying, it's time to make the molding. One approach is to use a large profile cut ter to mill the molding in one shot But these bits are pricey, and can be difficult to obtain. An easier method is to use a selection of cutters and mill the profile in stages, as shown, in figure 7. Carry out the router flight check, and make all your molding cuts on the router table. 11, Miter the molding at 45° and clamp all three pieces to the case to check the fit of the miters. Adjust as necessary, then trim the molding flush to the back edges of the case. Glue and clamp the front molding first, aligning it with the top to leave an % in, reveal. (See fig. 5.) Then add the side moldings in the same Fig. 7: BOOKCASE MOLDING manner. Begin with 94 x 314 x48 in, stock 12. Remove the clamps, clean up any excess glue, and finish-sand the out- side of the case. Apply the finish of your choice, including the unin. stalled back panel, 13. After the finishing work is done, fasten the back with small brass serews or brads. If you choose to hang the cabinet on a wall, check out the specialty hardware made for this purpose in your favorite woodwork- ing catalog, + Make cuts 1 and 2 with small panel raiser + Make cuts 3 and 4 with Vs in. roundover bit + Make cuts 5,6, 7, and 8 with V-groove bit + Make rip cuts 9 and 10 on table saw to separate stock + Make cuts 11 and 12 with‘ in. roundover bit|V4B__PROUECTS THAT TEST YOUR JOINERY SKILLS Small Table This small table with a solid-wood top offers a chance to hone your hands on making mortise-and-tenon joints, as well as having a bit of fun making a top with contrasting strips of wood. To keep the top stable as it expands and contracts across its width, shop-made wooden buttons secure it to the table frame. The table shown here has tapered legs to ssive it a more graceful stance, but like most of the projects shown here, this is an option and you can keep the legs square if you prefer. Building Steps 1. Start by constructing the top. You can make the top from one piece of ‘wood [if you can find such a wide piece), or edge-glue narrower strips to make up the necessary width. Try adding a few contrasting strips of ‘wood in a different color to add a decorative effect, as I did on the top shown here. Once you've glued up the top, scrape and sand its surfaces, and then cut it to final size. 2. The next step is to draw a side view of the table on a piece of graph paper. This lets you calculate the ‘overhangs of the top and the shoul- der-to-shoulder distance of the aprons between the legs. The table here is designed with 1/ in, over- hangs on the sides and 4 in. over- hangs at each end. Once you know the dimensions of the aprons (don't, forget to add the combined length of the tenons!), cut the leg and apron, stock to size, 3. Mark the mortise locations on the legs, perform the router flight check, and mill the mortises in all four legs. (See Mortises and Tenons, page 96.) ‘Small Table CUTTING LIST Description ary. Dimensions (in.) Material Top 1 %x 16x 24 stock Legs 4 Wh x 16 x23 % stock Short aprons 2 Ux BKx12* % stock Long aprons 2 Ux MX 15 * % stock Wood buttons 8 MxIKT % stock * Note: Length includes 1 in. long tenons Tasty table. Made from solid wood with contrasting strips of cherry in its top, this litle ‘maple table relies on traditional mortise-and-tenon joinery for strength and durability4, Carry out the router flight check and rout a groove in each apron piece for the wood buttons. (See Dadoes, Grooves, and Slots, page 85.| 5, Set up the router table, go through the router flight check, and cut a practice tenon to fit a leg mortise. Once you're happy with the fit, mill all the tenons on the ends of the aprons. The leg thickness along with the tenon length demands that you miter the ends of the tenons so they don't interfere with each other, After mitering, shave the sides of the tenons round to fit the rounded ends of the mortises, 6. Measure the distance from the bottom edge of one of the grooves in an apron to its top edge, and then mill an overlong piece of button stock slightly less than this measure- ment, or just under / in, Set up the router table, perform the router flight check, and rabbet the long edge of the stock to create the tongue on the button. {Note the grain orientation in fig, 8, and see Rabbets, page 78.) ‘Mark off individual buttons, then lay out and drill ¥« in. holes through the stock for screws, angling the bit back and forth to elongate each hole, After drilling, crosscut individual buttons, from the strip. 7. Now is a good time to finish-sand the legs and aprons. Then glue the tenons into the mortises, keeping, everything square and flat. My approach is to put some protective paper over a reliably flat surface [my tablesaw works great for this), clamp across the joints, and check the diag- conals for square. Wipe away any excess glue with a damp cloth and let the assembly dry overnight. 8. After the glue has dried, remove the clamps and scrape and sand 149 Edge-glve boards to make up necessary width, alternating colors of ‘wood a8 @ decorative touch. — ‘Tenon Var 2x Vn tong —_ Mos vw Leg Shor J ‘pron Wood button (See detail) ) Leave logs square, oF taper slightly with a tapering jig on table saw. Fig. 8: TABLE CONSTRUCTION ~Top Rout Ysx lin 7, sroove in aprons. ‘Yin. reveal Long apron BUTTON DETAIL Elongate hole. around the joints, plus any other areas that may need touching up. Apply a few coats of your favorite finish to the frame and the top. Once the finish is dry, lay the top upside down on your bench and center the frame over it, Slip the buttons into the grooves in the aprons, and drive screws through the buttons and into the top to secure it to the frame.VSO PROJECTS THAT TEST YOUR JOINERY SKILLS Router Bit Cabinet Here's a small cabinet that’s been specifically designed to hold your router bit collection. The same joints used on the small bookcase—dadoes and rabbets—hold this case together, although you'll lay them out some- what differently. Pick your favorite hardwood to build the cabinet. I used some colorful carob wood that I had laying around, The cabinet accepts a drawer for router accessories and five trays for bits (see page 155), and a raised-panel door to keep the interior clean [see page 153]. An alternative is to forgo router bit storage and sim ply make the cabinet for knickknacks in your home. In this case, you can 0 ahead and install the drawer and door if you like, but don’t make the trays or mill the corresponding dadoes in the sides. Like the Small Bookcase (see page 144], this cabinet can be hung ona wall, which makes accessing your bits much easier Beauty and function. The author’s router bit cabinet, made from carob wood, looks ‘great on the outside. Below the door is @ drawer for router accessories, and inside is a series of clever trays for stashing bits. Router Bit Cabinet CUTTING LIST Description ty. Sides 2 Top 1 Bottom 1 Fixed shelf 1 Back 1 Dimensions (in) Mat x6) x 22% % stock %x8x17 % stock wx8x17 % stock Wx 6x 14 % stock Wx 14% x 22% plywood[PROJECTS THAT TEST YOUR JOINERY SKILLS. Fig. 9: ROUTER BIT CABINET CONSTRUCTION Rout Yin. wide x3). deep dadoes for outer bit rays. ji Rout Yi in. deep x 38. ‘ide rabbet in top, bottom, and sides after assembly Stopped dado, ‘Yel. deep x ein. wide Cut Vax Ya in notch Stopped dado, ~Ysin, doop xin, wide152 PROVECTS THAT TEST YOUR JOINERY SKILLS Building Steps 1. Mill the sides to dimension, mak- ing sure to account for the depth of the dadoes in the top and bottom that receive them. Label each piece {or its top, bottom, inside face, and front edge. 2. Lay out the dadoes in the sides for the fixed shelf and the trays, placing the sides back edge-to-back edge and ‘marking across both sides. Don’t for- sget to mark the stopped dado for the shelf. I spaced the dadoes for the trays to accommodate my specific bits, and you should do the same. ‘Once you've laid out the centerline for the fixed shelf, move up from that line by measuring your longest bit, then adding / in., so your biggest bits are towards the bottom of the case, 3. Carry out the router flight check, and rout the dadoes in the sides with the appropriate-sized router bit. (See Dadoes, Grooves, and Slots, page 85.) 4, Mill the top and bottom and, as before, mark its edges and surfaces. 5, Lay out the stopped dadoes in the top and bottom, measuring from the center of each piece and out to its ends for accuracy. Remember to ‘count for the 1 in, overhang at each end. 6, Perform the router flight check, and rout the stopped dadoes in the top and bottom pieces. Square up the rounded ends with a chisel, 7, Set a side into one of its corre- sponding dadoes, making sure it seats firmly in the bottom, and use a craft knife to mark the depth of the notch cut. Use this measurement to ‘mark all the notches in sides, then cut them out with a fine handsaw. Front Fig. 10: BIT CASE ELEVATIONS. Divide spaces for router bit trays, leaving ‘more space towards bottom for longest bis Side | ‘Space for dovetailed drawer 8. Clamp the case together and measure for the length of the fixed shelf, then cut the shelf to dimen- sion and notch it as you did the sides. 9. With the case still clamped togeth- cr {measure the diagonals to check that it’s square!), use a rabbetting bit and the same setup used on the ‘small bookcase (see page 144] to rout a rabbet in the top, bottom, and sides. After routing, use a sharp chis- cl to square up the rounded comers left by the bit 10, Measure for the back, cut it to size, and test its fit. When all is as it should be, unclamp everything and sand all the interior surfaces. 11, Gine and clamp the case together. Don't forget to square the case, set ting the back into its rabbets to help with this, (Your back is square, right!) Do not glue the back in, since it’s easier to finish it on its own. Now go and build the drawer, bit trays, and door. (See opposite page.) Once everything has been made and fitted, you can finish-sand all the parts and apply your finish of choice.Framed panel. This frame-and-panel door dresses up the front ofthe cabinet and features a raised panel that’s shaped on its front and back face. Frame-and-Panel Door CUTTING LIST Description Qty. Dimensions (in.) Material Stiles 2 Hx 2x17 stock Rails 2 Yon Dh * stock Panel 1 dart xtt % stock * Note: Length depends on specific type of cope-andstick cutter being used. **Note: First construct the frame with a cope-and-stick bit, dry-assemble, then measure for the width and length of the panel. PROJECTS THAT TEST YOUR JOINERY SKILLS 183 Frame-and-Panel Door This frame-and-panel door with a cope-and-stick frame accents the router bit cabinet beautifully (see page 150), and does a good job of sealing out dust and debris. Making the door is a great exercise in cutting ccope-and-stick joinery (see page 122) and raising a solid-wood panel (se: page 125). Brass butt hinges com- plete the look, and offer solid and long-wearing connections to the case. Building Steps 1. With the drawer in the cabinet, measure the door opening. Dimension the frame stock to fit, taking special care to review the sec- tion on stock preparation in the cope-and-stick section. 2, Set up the router table with a cope-and-stick bit, perform the router flight check, and take practice cuts until they fit perfectly. Then rout the cope and stick on the rails and stiles, 3. Dry-assemble the frame and calcu- late the size of the panel by measur- ing the combined depth of the grooves. Subtract about / in. from. the panel’s width and about Ys in. from its height to allow for wood movement and to ease assembly. If necessary, edge-glue some boards to make up the necessary width, then cut the panel to size and mark its outside face and bottom edge in an area that won't be routed off in the next step. 4, Set up a vertical panel-raising bit in your router table and perform the router flight check. Taking incremen- tal cuts, raise the panel on all four134 Bevels and brass. The back of the panel is beveled to keep it flush with the frame, and the door swings open on butt hinges. edges and on both sides, taking cuts on the back side of the panel until the back surface sits flush with the back of the frame, 5. Dry-fit the assembly, making cer- tain the coped ends of the rails fit tight co the stiles, Disassemble, then sand and apply finish to the panel and allow it to dry. Finishing the panel now prevents unsightly edges showing up later when the door expands and contracts with seasonal moisture changes. 6. Glue and clamp the door, squaring the assembly carefully by measuring the diagonals. 7. Alter the glue has dried, center the panel from left to right, then turn the door over and pin the panel in place by driving small brads or tiny brass screws through the rails and into the panel at the center of the door. Raised panel Line up hinge barrels with edge of rails. —~ Fig. 11: DOOR CONSTRUCTION Cope cut Stick cut Butt hinge 8, Fit the door to the ease by trim- ming a little off the top and bottom. edges with a hand plane until a gap of about Ys in. is achieved between, the drawer front below and the over: hanging case above. Then center the door in the opening and trim the edges of the stiles until the door is even with the sides of the cabinet, 9. Rout the hinge mortises (see Hinge Mortise, page 100), install the hinges on the doot, and then drive one serew per leaf into the case and test the fit of the door, Make any necessary adjustments and, when the fit is perfect, add the remaining screws, Remove the door and the hardware, finish-sand the door, apply your favorite finish, and reinstall the door once the finish has dried.Dovetailed Drawer and Router Bit Trays This small, dovetailed drawer with an overlay front and five router bit trays are great practice projects in and of themselves. You'll master two types of dovetail joints when making the drawer: halé-blind dovetails and sliding dovetails. The bonus is that the drawer and trays are designed to fit and work with the Router Bit Cabinet (see page 150) for storing bits and other router-associated gear, such as wrenches, gauges, and the like, Start by making the drawer, and then build the trays. Making the Drawer: Building Steps 1. Start by measuring the drawer opening in the cabinet, then mill all the drawer parts to size, except for the bottom. For now, keep the back and the sides over length. Because the sides will be joined using /4 in. half-blind dovetails, their width must be a multiple of % in. to accommo- date the requirements of the dovetail jig’s template. (See Half-Blind Dovetails, page 106.) Mark all the inside faces and bottom edges. 2. Lay out the stopped dovetail sock- ets on inside of the front, drawing a centerline for each /+ in. socket. (See Sliding Dovetail, page 111.) The front should extend past the sides by in. For clearance, move the center- lines another Y in. per side, provid ing a total clearance between the sides of the drawer and the case of Ys in. Mark a stop line on the front vin, below what will be the top edge of the drawer side. [PROJECTS THAT TEST YOUR JOWNERY SKIS. Fig. 12: DRAWER AND TRAY CONSTRUCTION DOVETAILED DRAWER Front extends 4 in oe Front extends 1 in. above sides. \ Side \ - Front Rout Vax Yin Dovetail ‘groove in front, back, and sides for bottom. Halting pins, V2 in. tat tind dove 7 voc nin BIT TRAY Plastic bit insert Bottom extend 9s in. past tray on each side. Tray 2 ‘Make from two pieces — of in, plywood. Bottom ” Front ipBits and pieces. A series of trays fitted with plastic inserts holds a large collection of router bits, while a traditional dovetailed drawer keeps accessories neatly organized, 3. Fit a router with a in. dovetail bit and set up the machine with the router tracking system (see page 54) 0 through the router flight chet and rout the sockets in the front. 4. Rout the mating pins in the sides on the router table, performing the router flight check and using the same dovetail bit, After routing the pins, notch them with a fine hand saw to fit the stopped dovetail socket, checking that each side is flush with the bottom edge of the front, 5. Dry-assemble the sides to the front, and working as close as you can to the inside face of the front, measure the side-to-side distance. ‘Cut the back to this measurement, With the sides still attached, mark and crosscut them to final length by measuring from the inside of the front and adding the depth of the drawer opening, minus %» in. for clearance. 6, Set up your half-blind dovetail jig, execute the router flight check, and make practice joints until they fit perfectly. Disassemble the sides and front, and rout the dovetails for each back corner. Dry-assemble the draw- cr again and fit it into its opening. It should slide smoothly in and out and be Ye in, short of the rabbet for the cabinet back 7. Disassemble the drawer again, carry out the router flight check, and rout the grooves in the front, back, and sides for the drawer bottom. (See Dadoes, Grooves, and Slots, page 85.] Remember to rout stopped grooves between the dovetail sockets on the front and between the pins on the back. Cut the bottom to fit. I like to use white melamine-coated particle- board (MCP) for drawer bottoms because it’s clean and looks nice (bothattributes that win a lady’s heart), but plywood will do just fine, too. 8, If you want to add a drawer pull, drill the hole for it in the front now before assembly. Finish-sand all the parts, especially the interior surfaces, as they will be difficult to reach after slue-up. 9. Glue up the drawer by inserting cach sliding dovetail pin into its cor- responding socket, applying glue only to the last "4 in. of the pin. Then. slide the bottom into the grooves, and glue and assemble the back to the sides, You'll have to spread the sides slightly to get the back in, but it can be done. Place waxed paper in the cabinet opening so any glue squeeze-out won't stick, and insert the drawer into the opening, Clamp the front to the sides. From the back, ‘wedge the sides so the drawer box is centered. Allow to dry overnight. Dovetailed Drawer and Router Bit Trays CUTTING LIST FOR DOVETAILED DRAWER Description Qty. Dimensions (in.) Material Front 1 Yx5x15 % stock Sides 2 Wx Bh x 8% Baltic birch plywood Back 1 Ax Bh x 13K Baltic birch plywood Bottom 1 Yx5%ex 12% plywood or MCP CUTTING LIST FOR BIT TRAY (1 TRAY) Description Qty. Dimensions (in.) Material Tray 1 1 x6 x 13% plywood * Front lip 1 WXDXH plywood Bottom 1 Ux Bx 14% plywood + Note: Laminate two pieces of) in. plywood to create necessary thickness. Se Ease over any sharp edges with a block and sandpaper, then apply your favorite finish. Making a Tray: Building Steps Note: The following procedure describes how to make one tray. When making the lower tray which slides on the fixed shelf, glue the oversized bottom to the tray and then trim it flush to the sides of the tray. 1. Measure the drawer opening in the cabinet and then cut all the parts to size. Make sure the bottom slides casily into the dadoes in the case, and trim if necessary. Cut two in. tray pieces slightly oversize, glue them together, then trim them to final size. 2. Mark the location of each bit on the tray, making sure the bits won’t touch each other. You can simply drill holes through the tray to match your bit diameters, or you can buy a set of plastic bit inserts from a wood: working catalog and drill larger holes for the inserts to slip into 1 prefer the inserts because they’re available for /- and % in. shanks, they require a common and inexpen- sive % in. drill bit for installation, and they protect bit shanks from cor: rosion and discoloration. If you opt for drilling plain shank holes, you'll ned slightly oversized holes for a ‘good fit. Bits with % in, shanks require a special lettered “P” bit; in, shanks will fit in holes drilled with a ‘Yo in, bit. Be sure to apply some finish inside the raw shank holes to protect the bits, especially if you live by the sea or in a high- humidity community. To fit each insert, drill to a depth. that matches the insert’s length, then drill a % in, through hole. (The plywood bottom you attach in the next step prevents the bits from. falling out.) 3. Glue and clamp the bottom to the tay, making sure the bottom extends evenly and about Ys in. beyond each, short side of the tray. 4, Add the front lip by gluing and clamping it to the front of the tray. ‘The bottom of the lip should be flush with the bottom of the tray, with its top ‘% in. o so above the tray top. Sand any sharp edges and apply a coat or two of finish, 157,Index Accessories, buying or making, 12 adjusting depth of cut, See half- blind dovetails Base marker, 33-37 bits, 14-20, bearings for, buying, 14, caring for, 19-20, cleaning, 20, gauges for, recommended basic, 16, 18; setting height and depth of, 72-74, scialty, 114-128, starter set, 16 bookcase, making a small, 144-147 box box joints, 72-75, practice project for, 142-144 breadboard, making a, 141 int jig, 46-48 Choosing a router, 8-13 clean cuts. See dadoes complementary template routing 132-13 practice project for, 141 cope and stick, | making a, 122-12 cutting accurately, 74-76 Dadoes, 85; routing various types of, 86-88 dealing with tearout. See box joint dovetail drawer, making a, 155-157 il jig, improving, 60-64 ils, 106, practice project for, 155-157; routing, 106-113. See also jigs drawer lock joint, 115, making a, 115-117; practice project for a, 155-157 Fair lines, 132 featherboards, 49; using, 75 fences: router table, 38-43, dovetail jig, 60-64 making, 71-72; routing without, 7: frame-and-panel door, making a, 153-154 \dling, Dan, 132 grooves, 85, routing various types of, 88-90 Half-blind dovetails, 106-11 Ince 159 hand-held routing, 71, 82 hinge mortise, routing a, 100-101 holding systems, 65:69 hot glue, 65-66 Introduction, 6 Figgery, 33-64 jigs: 7; base marker, 34-37; box joint, 46. dovetail, 60-64; featherboards, 49, mortising, 95-59; offset baseplate, 52. push sticks, 49-50, router cradle, 51-52, router table, 38-46, router tracking, 54, sleds, 49.50160 noe joints, 77-124; specialty, 114-128 Leaving room for glue, See tenons lock miter joint, 118; making a, 118-121 Math: drawer height math, 109; drawer length math, 109 measuring and marking stock, 70. 7 mortises, 96, practice project for, 148-149, 153 154 mortising fixture, 5 building a, 55-59 mortising non-square s standard mortise ack. See Offset baseplate, 52-53; making an, 53 Plastic, working with, 36 projects, 140, bookcase, 144-147, breadboard, 141; dovetailed drawer, 155-157; frame-and-panel door, 153-154, router bit cabinet, 150-152, router bit trays, 155, 157; table, 148-149, totebox, 142-144 push sleds, making, 49-50 push sticks, making, 49-50 Rabbets, 78) routing various types of, 78-84 raised panel, 125; making a, 125-127; practice project for a, 150-152 reveals, 125 router bit cabinet, making a, 150- 152 router bit trays, making, 155-157 router cradle, 51-52 router flight check, 76 routers, choosing, 8; types and features, 8-13 router table, 38-39, making, 40-42; setting up, 46, using, 71 router tracking system, 54 Safety, 74-76, gear for, 30 skiing, See cutting accurately sleds, 49-50 sliding dovetail, 111-113 slots, 85; routing various types of, 91 square, squaring a, 25 standard mortise, routing a, 97-99 stopping the rabbet, 82-83 Table, making a small, 148-149 techniques, 7, 70-76 template inlay, 136-138 template routing, 129-138; practice project for a, 51, 52-53; routing a, 13; routing with a, 130-131 See also complementary template routing and template inlay tenons, 9, routing a, 102-104, practice project for, 148-149, 153- 154 three types of bits. See cope and stick; see also raised panel toolbox for routing, 21-32 totebox, making a, 142-144 Vacuum clamping, 66-69 Zero-clearance fence, making a, 71-72avers 7aeosced Ml Router Joinery Workshop Zo Til