Page 49 - Router Boss Manual

Frame and Panel Door
with Mitered Half-Lap

Joints

Another option that is also a strong joint but
doesn’t require cutting mortises or tenons is a mitered
half-lap joint. While this joint would be difficult to cut
on a table saw, it’s easy with the Router Boss because
all cuts can be made on the mortising table top and the
only required measurement is for the size of the door.
Plus, you can see the cut as you make it and have preci-
sion control using the hand crank power feed and guide
rail stops.

Since the corners are mitered, both the rails and
stiles must be the same width and the width cannot be
greater than the cutting length of your bit.

To make this door, follow the same steps you used
to cut the panel grooves in the rails and stiles (see page
40). We used 3/4” thick stock and centered the groove
on the edge. Length of the stock is easy to determine.
The length of the stiles is equal to the door height and
the length of the rails is equal to the door width. For an
inset door, you may want to make all lengths 1/8” less
to provide a uniform 1/16” gap around the edges. Or
you can trim the door after glue up.

Start by marking a 45 º miter on both ends of all
the stiles and rails. While you’re at it, mark the width
of the stile across the rail, keeping the edge of the stile
flush with the end of the rail.

To make this joint, mount the mortising table top
plate in the vertical position. Instead of the fixed fence,
we’ll use the plastic guide pins to position the stock. Corner against base
Set the guide pins for a 45 º angle to left. Mount a stile Pins set at 45 º plate
so the groove faces up, the opposite edge is against the
pins and the top corner is butted against the base plate.

49