Page 53 - Router Boss Manual

For this technique, we’ll do most of the steps with
the mortising table top plate mounted in the vertical po- Router table riser
with fences installed
sition on the sliding bar. We’ll also install the router
table riser and fences. To get sufficient clearance and
to align the face of the top plate with the router table
fence, use both the thick and thin spacers when mount-
ing the plate to the sliding bar.

Spacers

Top plate mounted verti-
cally with spacers between
top plate and sliding bar

To provide good support for the workpieces when
making the sticking cuts, we used the optional twin
featherboard available from the Craftsman Gallery to
hold the rails and stiles firmly against the underside of
the base plate. A single featherboard mounted to the un-
derside of the base plate holds the workpieces against
the router fence.
Twin featherboard

Install the sticking bit in the router
and adjust the router table fences so they
just clear the bit. Use a straight edge
to get the bearing of the bit flush with
the fences, then tighten the router plate
locking knob. To set the bit depth, slide
a workpiece into place against the base
plate, then lower the bit so the groove cut-
ter portion of the bit is on top of the work-
piece, and lock the plunge at this depth. Since we
want the 1/4” wide groove centered on our 3/4” thick
stock, use a 1/2” gauge bar to set the router depth stop.

Plunge the bit to depth stop, turn the router on and
feed a test piece of stock that matches your rails and
stiles past the bit from left to right, making sure the
workpiece is held flat against the base plate throughout
the cut. For safety, use a push stick to keep your fingers
well away from the bit. If you’re satisfied with the test
piece, go ahead and make the sticking cuts in both the
rails and stiles with the best face up.
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