Skin the Cat

[Paul Redfern]

Starting to get "box fever" and while watching Rob Cosmans video the other night, he cut variable spaced box joints with a dual router setup. Pretty neat if you have not seen it. The problem is that you have to build a dedicated setup with 2 routers.
So, here is the "ask 10 guys how to cook a steak" question. What do you guys think would be a good way to cut variable spaced box/finger joints and varible dovetails?

"Lots of ways to skin the cat "

Paul

[Jason Beam]

My first choice: With the Incra fence on my router table.
My second choice: By hand.

[Paul Redfern]

Thanks Jason. I was wondering about the incra fence. My router table is a handmade extension on the table saw. Is the incra fence a permanent add on? Fairly easy to make the variable spaced joints with it?

Paul

[Joe Scharle]

Woodrat or Router Boss

[Jason Beam]

Paul,

The Incra or Jointech fences are both removable as far as I know. You could rig up a board that locks down into one (or both) of your table saw's miter slots, for example. Worst case, you could drill/tap a couple mounting holes. That it comes off isn't a problem, but you do want to make sure to avoid taking it off in mid-operation or you'll play heck trying to get the thing aligned properly all over again.

As for easy ... well ... it's easy for me, now. I think they all have learning curves, these jigs. Dedicated dovetail jigs are reasonably simple in operation - the more flexible you get, the more learning there is to do (Leigh, akeda, etc). These fence systems do take a little bit of doing in order to develop proficiency, but they're also much more flexible than a single-tasker like a dovetail jig.

I love mine. It's far and away the most accurate woodworking tool in my shop. I walk up to my router table with 100% confidence that I can get perfect results out of it without all that much trouble.

[Paul Redfern]

Thanks Joe. Just went and looked at the Boss and Rat and they are not in the budget. Yeah Jason, i am trying to stay away from a dedicated machine, and not buy something impulsively that just collects dust. We have all done that i bet This all started by looking at the Gifkin,and then the Katie,Keller, Leigh,etc. They all seem to have their stong points and supporters.

Paul

[Ralph Barhorst]

Here is a picture of a box that I made using the original 8 inch Incra Jig and my router. It took a while to design and a lot longer to make, but it is not really all that difficult. I used a 3/8" spiral bit with a 3/8" height on the bit for all cuts.

[Paul Redfern]

That is really nice joinery there Ralph. I would think variable spaced box joints would be a piece of cake compared to that on the Incra then

Paul

[Paul Redfern]

Amazon has the Incra Ultralite for $130.00. Any thoughts?