Just wanted to give an unsolicited, ringing endorsement to Bob Van Dyke’s mortising jig (FWW May/June 2023). Accurate, repeatable mortises without a domino or hollow chisel mortiser. It’s the second extremely useful jig from Mr. Van Dyke (the “incredible L fence” is also simple and hugely useful). The man knows his jigs.
if you saw this in the magazine and wondered about it, I highly recommend it. Definitely solved a weakness in my skill set.
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I haven't looked at the article that closely, but I used a similar jig that Tage Frid had in FWW many years ago. I cut a couple thousand mortises with that jig.
Do you happen to recall the issue that Frid's design was in for comparison?
Thanks!
https://www.finewoodworking.com/1981/10/01/routing-mortises
It was also in his book.
Thanks! A lot of today's jigs and fixtures originated with Frid's designs. He was a remarkable woodworker.
Yes, A big thank you to Bob! I decided to build the jig after reading the article. Should solve my mortising needs.
I've seen my retirement income shrink over the uncompensated price of food and am not able to keep my subscription up to date anymore. I already have a slot mortiser tricked out and was wondering if his jig would offer me any time saving advantages? The machine is great for repetitive work, but even with DRO's still takes a lot of setup time.
Another shop-built mortising jig (videos):
https://www.finewoodworking.com/2005/10/25/using-a-shopmade-mortising-jig
https://www.finewoodworking.com/2015/05/27/how-to-cut-mortises-with-a-plunge-router
Also “Perfect Mortise and Tenon Joints, Fine Woodworking, Sept/Oct. 2004, #172:
https://www.finewoodworking.com/project-guides/joinery/perfect-mortise-and-tenon-joints
I built and have used this jig for about 5 years now. It works beautifully.