This auxiliary base for my plunge router makes mortises in all sorts of furniture parts. I made it from 1⁄2-in.-thick acrylic, slotting it to attach two pieces of T-track, which hug the workpiece to guide the router. You can saw, sand, and rout the acrylic like wood. The acrylic lets you see your end marks when routing, and the fences slide smoothly. I often clamp legs together in pairs to create a more stable surface, reversing the jig to cut matching mortises in both legs. For narrower stock, I attach the T-tracks to wood fences as shown to add stability.
—Dean M. Vande Griend,
Story City, Iowa
Illustrated by Dan Thornton
Fine Woodworking Recommended Products
Ridgid EB4424 Oscillating Spindle/Belt Sander
Festool DF 500 Q-Set Domino Joiner
Festool Rotex FEQ-Plus Random Orbital Sander
Comments
I've built this over the week-end, it works like a charm. Awesome tip, thank you!
A great jig. Simple and useful.
This set up with a 1/4" or 5/16" up cut spiral bit works great, when building tables.
Add a stout mortising chisel and you can square up the ends in a jiffy!
It was always a favorite when I taught 5 ways to cut Mortise and Tenons.
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