Cutting Box Joints With A Hand Router

This tutorial video shows a simple method on making a jig out of plywood for a hand held router that attaches to the base. I make 10 at a time though. While you could cut box and finger joints by hand both joints are most quickly and efficiently cut with power tools in either solid wood or plywood.
cutting box joints with a hand router

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Cutting box joints with a hand router. Box joints are a cinch to make on a router table. I guess if youre only making one box a router is ok. The only two things that can go wrong with a box joint is it can be too tight or too loose. If you are interested in practicing this art fingerbox joints should be your first step in refining your joint making by hand skills before moving on to more complex joints like dovetails.

I stack all my sides for each box and cut them at once too. The jig worked beautifully on the ends and sides of the box but the top and bottom are 49 by 15 and it was virtually impossible to hold the piece steady in the jig because of the size. Besides making for a better joint joints add a level of sophistication to wooden articles crafted using them that is unmatched while being able to make them with hand tools is an art. When making box joints with a spacer fence remember the bit the fence and the space between the fence and the bit are equal.

Since then ive gone back to doing many on a table saw. Learn how to cut box joints using a router table and this simple jig. By switching rails and router bits you can use the jig to cut 14 in 38 in. I also decided to use box joints for maximum strength.

Chris marshall demonstrates these techniques on the triton twx7 workcentre module. I wouldnt even consider using a router for box joints today. How to make box joints with only a router woodworking jig. In this router tip we learn the basic principals of the box.

I purchased a router table jig at rockler to make box joints. Link to the plan for the tool chest project. The first step before cutting a joint is to fit the jigs sliding fence with a sacrificial face cut from a scrap of 12 mdf or plywood thats notched to fit over the rail. The next best method is at the router table but not everyone has the space for a dedicated router table.

I tried a router and that was it. The biggest problem in making box joints has always been getting a precise fit because the line between success and failure is only a few thousandths of an inch thick. On the router workshop we use spacer fences to make decorative box joints dovetail splices and sliding dovetails. A comprehensive guide to cutting dovetails.

Ive cut box joints both ways. All you need are a sharp bit and a basic plywood jig. The easiest methods include using a sliding jig and a table saw a portable router and a template style joinery jig or a router table and sliding fence jig or dedicated box joint router bit. Making box joints on the table saw requires a dado stack which isnt available in all areas.