Thread: Catchin the Rat........An Introduction to the Woodrat Joinery System

Well I'm *^&#%$

I put the mounting wall up today n m8 she was heavy. If anyone does a lot of heavy work like this alone (Like Me) these Bessey clamps are simply the best bit a kit I've come across in recent times.

I'm fair dinkum when I say they just allowed me to do the job of 3 men. I've used cleats to hold her up so I can ensure a square flat surface by shiming as required.

REgards Lou :eek::eek::eek:

As a seasoned rat user (almost 2.5 years now) I thought I'd say hi, well it's a little rat actually, not sure why I bought the smaller machine but haven't really regretted it well not for long anyway.

I've made so many things with this machine and it's starting to show it's age but I swear by it and at it some times too, but a few minutes spent scratching the head and rubbing the chin will generally solve the conceptual problems.

like you I found the need to adjust the height of the machine and did this by mounting it on the steps of a rarely used ladder to the mezzanine floor in my shed, giving me a wide range of heights.

I like the HSS bits but use tungsten bits mostly as often by the time I’ve reaslised that in particular the HSS dovetail bit is blunt its often already broken if you take my meaning.

Only major problem I've had was as a result of my own clumsiness, I somehow dropped the router with the sliding base attached and the base shattered, getting a new one wasn’t hard though and latter I managed to epoxy the broken one back together and now have 2 routers set up to run with the rat.

Incidentally ordering HSS bits and parts direct from the UK is a fair bit (pun) cheaper.

Cheers




Dave

Hi Davo, great to have another 'ratter contributing

Originally Posted by davo453

....like you I found the need to adjust the height of the machine and did this by mounting it on the steps of a rarely used ladder to the mezzanine floor in my shed, giving me a wide range of heights.

Seems everyone has their own take on the height problem. ive mounted mine soi i have a small amount of adjustment upwards but because its in superjaws i can hang it over a balcony or hole in the floor if necessary. i cant conceive of any reason in the short term that i will need to cut dovetails in anything over the 1.5 metres i can do and if its a tennon i will probably do it on the triton instead, so height doesnt really bother me at the moment. BUT, im sure the day will come when i try to do just that little bit more, like we all do.

Originally Posted by davo453

I like the HSS bits but use tungsten bits mostly as often by the time I’ve reaslised that in particular the HSS dovetail bit is blunt its often already broken if you take my meaning. Incidentally ordering HSS bits and parts direct from the UK is a fair bit (pun) cheaper.

Ive been getting mine from carbatec WA cos that seems to be the only polaace in aust that stock anything other than the basic machine, which i got in cartbatec brisbane, but thanks for the tip, i will no doubt outgrow the bits ive got, or wear them out

Gidday

Well today I did some test fits n adjustments. Made sure everything true n square then did a test fit with my Rat. Looks like shes coming together fine and will be rock solid.

My Rat is also set up to take advantage of the Bench real-estate I have to the left...... Should prove to be very versatile in this position!!

Not long till the big test run now!!!!

REgards Lou

Looking real nice Lou. good luck with the test run.

Great stuff Lou

its looking really good. Terrific article.

Maybe its time for a woodrat section on the forum.

What do others think??

You have really got my interest

Cheers sam

Gidday

Well done my last few checks and ensured everything is squared up n true!. I also did a test run of the Jig sliding along the tracks and I'm happy to say she worked fine

I've taken a few pics to show how all is fastened and THE RAT setup ready to go on her maiden run!!!

I must admit it seems like I've watched the WoodRAt demonstration vide0 a hundred times. This has given me a familiarity with this joinery system before I even touched it.

The first joint I've decided to study is the mortise and tenon. Bear in mind this is the first time I have ever used THE RAT.

I marked out made a few minor adjustments and away I went. All I can say is WOW! The first thing you notice once getting a bit of a feel for THE RAT is the precision its capable of.

This is no word of a lie I found myself taking cuts off my Markup Line with accuracy and precision.

Very impressive start considering this is the first tenon I have ever made using the WoodRAT

Lou this has been a fantastic thread to folow, and to see the first up results that you have achieved has finally made my mind up to go and get the Rat for myself.

Originally Posted by Simomatra

Maybe its time for a woodrat section on the forum.

What do others think??

might be time soon fo that Sam, at least it would move faster than the green woodworking section. would certainly be handy if the existing threads such as this one and a couple of others were transferred straight into the new forum. interest in the 'Rat is certainly gaining momentum

Gidday

Well I got a bit of time in the Shed this weekend so started developing my 'RAT NEST' :eek:

Double checked everything n made sure things were square for a couple more test cuts. I check for square using my favourate square edge n a torch. It helps pic up any gaps and once 'true' no light gets through between the square and edge being checked.

Test cuts confirmed my Rat was ready to Go!!!

As I hope this thread to be Handy for all RAtters During testing I was lucky to notice that a small lock nut for the cam clamps had worked its way loose falling to the floor (I was lucky I found it!!)

My solution was simply to apply some LockTight (HAndy stuff this) now there should be no more problems. I certainily recommend all RAtters do something similar as it would be a real pain to loose this and have one of your cam clamps go down (See Pics)

One to look out for on regular maintence checks!!!

Next I'll continue working on some tenons............................

Once again I have to stress that this is only the second time I have used my Woodrat!!! In continuing my attempt to master tenoning I thought I may as well go for it and try some quad tenons!!!

Not bad!!!

I had 2 attempts the first one was a bit rough but you can see an improvement in the second. Another thing about the RAT that I am getting my head around is that once you get an Idea of a few basic principles on how it works you start to learn FAST!!!!

I'll document my progression so that you guys can see the learning kerv!!!

Although at this stage the RAT seems really different and forign I am warming to it quickly and getting a feel for how it approaches Joinery

Once again I invate all RAtters to Join in on this Thread!!!

REgards Lou

Hey

Heres a pick of my 'RAT NEST' getting close to 'the zone' I starting setting everything up I think I'll be reaching for on a regular basis. This is where the real estate I have from my mounting block has been a real bonus

It also goes without saying that dust collection is a real must with any form of router based powertool use. I recently got my hands on an ex demo delta cyclone at a great price off the floor so was eager to set her up..............No more DUST WHOOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOO!!!!

Regards LOu