The sketches above show two jigs which, when used with a portable router, can produce both semicircular and straight molding in patterns difficult to produce with a shaper. The first jig is an adjustable router trammel used to make curved molding. The jig’s two-part base adjusts by means of a slot-and- track arrangement and locks with a bolt and wingnut. The router is screwed to a 1/4-in. hardboard foot which is, in turn, screwed to the base.

The second jig consists of a sliding adjustable router holder and a “shooting board” which has two parallel tracks. The slotted hardboard in the holder allows the router to be adjusted laterally.

To use these jigs, first pencil the molding profile on the edge of the workpiece. Position the work and the jig so the router is right over the molding. Take repeated cuts adjusting the bit depth, changing bits and adjusting the router’s lateral position as needed. When all the routing is complete, separate the curved molding from the waste stock with a bandsaw. Some sanding is necessary to finish the molding.

S. Gaines Stubbins, Birmingham, Ala.

Fine Woodworking Magazine, August 1982 No. 35

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