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derekcohen
2nd May 2003, 04:48 PM
Hi gang

Can you point me to a finger joint jig to use on a router table? Alternately, any suggestions how to do this accurately with hand tools?

I plan to finger joint boards of at least 300mm/12" width. Actually, my plan is to build a cradle for a friend's new baby (due in about a month). So any plans in this respect are also welcome.

Any suggestions about the width of each finger? I was thinking 3/4" (as 1/2" seems a little too narrow).

Regards from Perth

Derek

arose62
2nd May 2003, 05:30 PM
There are quite a few good ideas on the web. Try:

http://www.sentex.net/~mwandel/workshop/fingerjoint.html

http://www.popularwoodworking.com/features/fea.asp?id=1109

http://www.mv.com/users/besposito/woodworking/boxjointjig.html

Lynn's Jig is pretty popular -
http://www.netexperts.cc/~lambertm/Wood/lynnjig.html

This one looks pretty simple and straightforward -
http://www.grampasworkshop.net/jig4.html

Note: several of these are made for a sawbench with a dado blade, but the principle is the same for a router table.

Cheers,
Andrew
(who hasn't got around to making or using *any* of these as yet ....)

mikmaz1
3rd May 2003, 12:11 AM
hi derek,
in regards to the size of the fingers, 3/4 looks good on 3/4 stock 1/2 looks good on 1/2 stock so on.
i made my own 1/2 jig out of 6mm alum angle (i had access to cnc machinery) i use a 1/2" bearing cutter the bearing rides the alum fingers.
sorry boss i havent got around to cropping my photos yet!
seeyasoon mik.

Wayne Davy
3rd May 2003, 01:43 PM
Mikmaz,

Nice jig! How much did it cost to have the alum. plate cut?

derekcohen
3rd May 2003, 01:58 PM
Hi Mikmaz

I agree, that is a beauty! And it gives me pause for thought. While I can't machine a comb like yours, I could adapt the aluminium comb from my little-used dovetail jig to do the same thing. It would restrict me to 1/2" fingers, but that sounds right for my project. What is the longest length you can cut on yours? How (if you do) cut longer than that?

Regards from Perth

Derek

mikmaz1
4th May 2003, 12:54 AM
hi all,
thanks for the comments.
it didnt cost anything , did it when i worked in a machine shop.
derek, if you have got 1 of those 1/2 blind d/tail jigs then you can (i think ) adapt that to do fingers , just use a 1/2 bearing cutter.
measure the spaces & fingers with some verniers to make sure they are both 1/2",12.7mm to fit the cutter.
set up the jig so the stops on the front of the jig cuts a finger on 1 end & a slot on the other , using 2 pieces of wood inthe upright mode. you will have to use a piece of wood on top to stop tear out. you could also take off the finger template of the jig & use the same principal as i have. check the pic you should understand.
you can also make wooden hinges with this type of joint.
it can cut approx 4
00mm wide boards, the only way you could cut wider would be to join boards after cutting the fingers.
hope you understand my wording!
seeyasoon mik.