Replies

1. 
   RickL | Mar 28, 2004 12:24pm | #1

   Try FWW #141 for the nicest slot mortise jig. Better than the Shop Notes one by far.

   
2. 
   TomT226 | Mar 28, 2004 03:28pm | #2

   Do a lot of mortising for face frames, and I've found that it's easier to move the stock over the machine than moving the machine over the stock. I do all of my mortising on the router table. If you'd like to know more, let me know and I'll give you the low down.

1. 
   dojo | Mar 29, 2004 03:11am | #4

   Sure, let me know the details...thanks...

   Chris

1. 
   TomT226 | Mar 29, 2004 01:50pm | #5

   Don't know precisely what kind of wood or what you are mortising, but here's a thumbnail sketch.

   For 4/4 (3/4") stock I use a 1" long, 5/16" carbide straight bit. I don't like spiral cutters. Seem to vibrate too much.

   Get you a piece of the white 3/4" melimine shelf material 12"X24".

   Build you a fence that is 6" high, and about 1' long that will clamp to you router table. A short fence won't magnify slight warps in longer stock which would affect the width of the mortise.

   Make a light vertical mark from the top of the fence to the bottom.

   mark heavy lines 5/32" either side of this line. These are your stop lines for the mortises. Make marks 1/4", 1/2", and 3/4" from the bottom of the fence across the stop lines. These are your depth stops.

   Get your router table ready with the 5/16" bit and crank it up till it's just below the table top. Lay a straight edge on the table and mark a line thru the center of the bit about 6" either side. This will help you line up the center of your stock.

   Bet a piece of 4/4 stock, and make a mark on the to where you want the mortise to stop.

   Clamp your fence routhly 3/8" from the center line. Doesn't need to be exact as you will adjust it later. Raise the bit to your first line (1/4"), start the router and slowly feed the stock in from the left until the mark on the stock lines up with the mark on the top.

   Keep the stock pressed firmly to the fence. Look at the slot. Is it centered or not? If it's within 1/32" it's OK. Flip the stock around and feed it in from the other side, thus centering the mortise perfectly.

   On rails and stiles with mortises in the middle, make marks on both ends. Brace one end of the stock on the table, and slowly plunge the stock down, and move back and forth stopping at the appropriate marks.

   I usually mortise in 1/4" depths, usualln no deeper than 3/4".

   I don't square up mortises, I just knock off enough of the tenon shoulder to fit.

   Give it a try.

3. 
   Routerman | Mar 28, 2004 04:21pm | #3

   A couple of shots here and here (overhead).

   Has been published.

4. 
   AlanWS | Mar 29, 2004 11:08pm | #6

   Try this set of instructions:

   http://www.tools-for-woodworking.com/tagefridsmortisingjig.pdf