Page 15 - Router Boss Manual

Finger Joints

For this demonstration, we’ll construct a simple
finger-joint box, showing how to cut finger joints in the
front, back and two side panels. The box is made from
1/2”-thick stock and measures 10” L X 5” W X 6” H.
All pieces were dimensioned square to uniform sizes
and thickness. Use the fixed aluminum guide rails.

Choose sides

For any project, you want the best faces exposed.
Once you’ve determined the best faces, place the front
and one side together with the best faces to the inside.
Mark an X on one edge, so the intersection of the X
aligns at the joint between the two boards. Then do the
same for the remaining side and the back.

Lay out the finger joints
Unlike most router finger jigs, you can lay out the
fingers in any pattern. We used one of the end pieces as
a pattern board and started with a 1/2” cut from each
edge, then made two additional 1” finger cuts spaced
about 1” apart.

Mount the Pattern Board
Clamp the pattern board in the Router Boss, mak-
ing sure the marked end is squarely butted against the
bottom of the base plate and the face is flush with the
sliding bar. Use the crank handle to move the pattern
board below the bit. Install a 1/2”-diameter bit in the
router and lower the bit. Use the crank handle to align
the right edge of the bit with the right edge of the first
cut.

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