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Thread: Incra box joint jig - brilliant
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11th January 2023, 02:22 PM #1SENIOR MEMBER
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Incra box joint jig - brilliant
I would describe myself as a "box joint aholic". I've made dozens of boxes using them. I really like the final look and so does my family. Over the years I've made 4 jigs including my most recent, the one in the photo, based on this video ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aiqpKV0OnGY&t=1s ) which has adjustability by feeler gauges and yet all of them while doing a good job didn't give me the repeatability I was after.
I bit the bullet last week and bought Incra's box joint jig combined with Freud's box joint blades. I followed the instructions exactly which requires firstly that the pins need to be snug against each other and later the final pin width should allow a snug fit when the previous cut slot is placed on it, but was does snug really mean? I always ended up with the joint too tight. I then saw this video ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GszYAh0Yhg&t=13s ) which mentions the fingers should be 0.006" smaller than the slots so rather than following Incra's instructions I made a test cut using callipers, measured the slot and fingers and using the micro adjust on the jig, which allows for 0.001" adjustability, was able to dial in that 0.006" difference every time. Did another test cut to verify and the results are perfect every time. That 0.006" difference is a perfect amount for glue. Less than 0.004" difference made the joint too tight.
So I can now make any box joint any size (using Freud blades or dado stack) with dead on repeatability. As big Kev used to say years ago, "I'm excited"
jig.jpg
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11th January 2023 02:22 PM # ADSGoogle Adsense Advertisement
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17th January 2023, 08:44 PM #2
Same clearance as what this guy recommends.
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18th April 2023, 04:33 PM #3
Hi Barri and Treecycle
I have been using a finger joint jig similar to your old one in the photo Barri for some 20+ years except that I do the fine adjustment by the "tap and guess" method. I think that the use of feeler gauges is a good idea, and will try it next time.
That is a time honoured system that has been continuously refined over decades.
Then I note your enthusiasm for your new Incra finger joint jig; it certainly seems to work well. But I keep coming back to a nagging question: "How is it $369 better than your old jig?"
Maybe I am just a cheapskate?
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18th April 2023, 04:47 PM #4
I've one and love it. Highly recommend one.
I also made some massive MDF camping crates with it for a customer. For years he took them 4WD-ing with him and tossed all the pots, pans and kitchen gear in them. They were thrashed to all hell, but not one failed.
The jig made it dead easy.
I've also done tiny 5mm fingers and they are VERY popular.
camping box ropes.jpg camping box underside.jpg pillbox.jpg DSC06314.jpg
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18th April 2023, 08:30 PM #5SENIOR MEMBER
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It all depends on how many boxes you make and whether you have the surplus funds. I've found repeatability, accuracy and safety better on the Incra jig but I agree its not $369 better but sometimes its nice to splurge on a professional product especially made for the job at hand. Sort of like buying an Incra/Rockler sled with bells and whistles compared to a home made crosscut sled.
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16th November 2023, 02:28 PM #6
I think the iBox design and mechanism is probably what sets it apart from all the home made jigs. If I could make one I would have done but I really don't know how the pin mechanism works exactly until I get it. This combined with a small footprint, in my book is worth the money.
As for the Incra/Rockler sled, my design is based on both of these. I choose not to buy either as I knew my sled equals if not betters their design. Having said that my tablesaw sled is due for an upgrade very soon.
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16th November 2023, 02:35 PM #7
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16th November 2023, 05:50 PM #8
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16th November 2023, 05:52 PM #9
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16th November 2023, 06:11 PM #10
Can I ask what sawblades did you have for this? Dado, or something like https://www.timbecon.com.au/freud-8i...nt-cutter-set?
Tablesaw would give cleaner cuts on MDF than a router I think - MDF always tears out a bit when I do dovetails on Gifkins jig.
Cheers
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17th November 2023, 08:44 AM #11SENIOR MEMBER
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I use Freud's box cutter set but if I want larger than 3/8" I can use my Dewalt dado set but that's rare.
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17th November 2023, 09:26 AM #12
Thanks - that looked like the best option to me for box joints. If you have fine adjustability on the iBox, you don't really need it on the blade (a la dado). They even come in 5/8" arbor to fit my JET saw.
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2nd May 2024, 09:26 PM #13Novice
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@barri, I've watched the video link, taken the screenshot and cannot wait to try this on the weekend. I've had a Incra box joint jig for awhile - I tried it on the router with very average results. I've since bought a dado stack and haven't been in a hurry to try it out but with this new knowledge, I am looking forward to getting some better fitting joints. Thanks for taking the time to post the link.
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2nd May 2024, 10:24 PM #14
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3rd May 2024, 09:38 AM #15SENIOR MEMBER
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Good point!
Sometimes when I hold the timber I need to go back and redo some of the slots because I was either not pushing down hard enough over the pin or pushing to one side. The use of clamps really does help with precision. I use the wooden clamps as shown in Incra's videos
Also some dado blades leave what's called "batman ears" on the edges of the slots and not perfectly flat bottoms. The Incra box cutter set, in fact all the Incra sets and my DeWalt set do a great job.
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