Replies

1. 
   JoelG | Apr 16, 2005 09:16pm | #1

   Joe,

   Haven't tried that one.

   I use a very simple jig on a router - a large base plate with two slots to hold a shallow adjustable fence the thickness of the box joint. Use an extra piece of this fence stock to set the distance to the bit, first cut with the fence against the edge and then set it in the grooves for the remaining cuts. I gang the work offsetting the sides with the same scrap. Results are excellent if everthing is set up correctly - but it's a bit of a production.  I am interested in a router table/table saw model.

   "Woodshop Jigs and Fixtures" (Tauton) has one on p 47 worth looking at for table saw or router table. Has anyone tried this one?

   Let us know if you build the Shopnotes model.

    

   Joel

1. 
   bladeburner | Apr 17, 2005 01:22am | #2

   I built Shopnotes adjustable router-dado jig and it's sweet. I've also built many of their projects and they've been well documented, but I've also built box jigs from others plans and they all require a lot of trial and error setting up. Their router-dado jig, BTW is first time/every time and I like that kind of tool. I was hoping that some folks would have field tested their box jig by now and would share some experiences. More recently, I built one that you have to cut 2 drawer sides to test the fit. And this is with your money wood, not scrap! Add shims and try again! Then again! And maybe again! Years ago I built one for TS but you need to keep your dado stack dedicated if you want to avoid the dreaded Test & Fit with that setup as well. And since I discovered spiral bits, Ive become a router nut! or is that collet?

   Joe

1. 
   MarkRD | Apr 17, 2005 03:22am | #3

   " And since I discovered spiral bits, Ive become a router nut! or is that collet?"Joe,
   what difference have the spiral bits made in this application?Thanks,
   Mark
   

   Measure it with a micrometer, mark it with chalk, cut it with an ax.

1. 
   bladeburner | Apr 17, 2005 04:02pm | #4

   They cut so cleanly and fast. First time I tried one was in my mortising station. I used to drill out the mortise then clean it up with a straight bit. Now I skip the drilling part. Recently I built a workstation for one of my daughters with melamine. I found that if I took the melamine off on one pass, then plowed out the chipboard in another pass I'd have perfect dados with no chipout. And all this is really quick when using the dado jig.

   Joe

2. 
   Handrubbed | Apr 19, 2005 04:30am | #5

   I built it and it allows for nice results, if your dado set is really good. I haven't done this, but I would try this same setup on a router table and compare the results to the table saw version. Maybe there's a spiral bit that would minimize any tearout. Just thinking out loud. What do others have to say?

2. 
   IanD | Apr 19, 2005 06:31am | #6

   I haven't made the Shopnotes one, but have been looking at a lot of jigs recently. I will soon be building 16 drawers of various sizes with box joints on all four corners so I need a production rig; hoping one of these will fit the bill. In addition to the one you were asking about, there is also one available at:

   http://woodstore.woodmall.com/boxjointjig.html

   I also found a site that hs the Shopnotes one modified in some interesting ways:

   http://woodstore.woodmall.com/boxjointjig.html

   I will attach some pictures.