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J0B00 · 08-22-2007, 11:15 AM

I am new to this site and recently purchased the spacer fence finger joint jigs from Oak Park. My first try wasn't very successful and I can't figure out why. I'm thinking its probably my sub-par router setup. I have the Skil RAS4510 Table/Router combo that was given to me by my brother for my birthday a couple years ago. It is a pain in the a** to make adjustments with, and not very accurate. I'm thinking about purchasing a Dewalt 618 and getting a nicer router table. I really like the one from Oak Park.

Anyway, I really like how easy the spacer fences are to use, and upon looking at the Oak Park miter gauge system I had an idea. What if the spacer fence was combined into a system like the miter gauge? My problem working with the spacer fences is that I don't have good support behind the piece of stock I'm cutting. The way the miter gauge system slides on the guide bushing would be easy to use for finger joints if there was some sort of spacer block mounted on the miter gauge. You wouldn't have to make any adjustments to the fence at all. No clamping/screwing a fence to the table either. Just clamp the stock on, run it thru the router, unclamp, place the notch you just cut over the spacer block, clamp, and run it thru again, repeat till done.

I see that the fence part of the miter gauge is made of phenolic, as well as the base plate part. Are the two attached from the bottom with screws? If so, it would be easy for Oak Part to make seperate bottom plates for the miter gauge system that could be replaced for making finger joints.

What do yall think??

**Mike** · 08-22-2007, 11:45 AM

All you need is a push block to help guide your work across the jig. The method I use is a simple one. I took a piece of scrap 4 x 4 about 6" long and ran one pass over the jig. I set the groove on the fence and I have a nice stable guide to keep the wood in position. I also cut one piece at a time. The push block also helps prevent tear out on the back side of the wood. If you own more than one size jig simply rotate your 4 x 4 and repeat the process. Mark the size you are working with on top of the push block. There are photos of other fancier push blocks members have designed, and this is a matter of personal choice. What ever works best for you.

J0B00 · 08-22-2007, 12:22 PM

Thanks for the help Mike!

Joe Lyddon · 08-22-2007, 12:38 PM

W e l c o m e . . A b o a r d !!

Joe Lyddon · 08-22-2007, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike

All you need is a push block to help guide your work across the jig. The method I use is a simple one. I took a piece of scrap 4 x 4 about 6" long and ran one pass over the jig. I set the groove on the fence and I have a nice stable guide to keep the wood in position. I also cut one piece at a time. The push block also helps prevent tear out on the back side of the wood. If you own more than one size jig simply rotate your 4 x 4 and repeat the process. Mark the size you are working with on top of the push block. There are photos of other fancier push blocks members have designed, and this is a matter of personal choice. What ever works best for you.

Great minds think alike!

Dr.Zook · 08-22-2007, 03:52 PM

Welcome to the Router Forums JOBOO. Glad you found this site. Hope you get your router system going. Good luck.

Doyle · 08-22-2007, 06:26 PM

Welcom JOBOO
You have found a great place for loads and loads of information
And the members here are more than OK, A1plus, in my book.
Take care
Doyle

Doyle · 08-22-2007, 06:27 PM

That was ment to be WELCOME not Welcom
eee-gads finger slip
Take care
Doyle

rmaxa · 08-22-2007, 06:51 PM

Welcome to the forum JOBOO

**challagan** · 08-22-2007, 07:17 PM

Welcome Joboo. You can't go wrong with the Oak Park table set up. You don't have to have it to use the box jigs but it sure works nice and a simple and versatile table!

Corey

08-22-2007, 11:15 AM	#1
J0B00 Registered User New Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 6 View J0B00's Gallery	Report This Post! Finger Joints I am new to this site and recently purchased the spacer fence finger joint jigs from Oak Park. My first try wasn't very successful and I can't figure out why. I'm thinking its probably my sub-par router setup. I have the Skil RAS4510 Table/Router combo that was given to me by my brother for my birthday a couple years ago. It is a pain in the a** to make adjustments with, and not very accurate. I'm thinking about purchasing a Dewalt 618 and getting a nicer router table. I really like the one from Oak Park. Anyway, I really like how easy the spacer fences are to use, and upon looking at the Oak Park miter gauge system I had an idea. What if the spacer fence was combined into a system like the miter gauge? My problem working with the spacer fences is that I don't have good support behind the piece of stock I'm cutting. The way the miter gauge system slides on the guide bushing would be easy to use for finger joints if there was some sort of spacer block mounted on the miter gauge. You wouldn't have to make any adjustments to the fence at all. No clamping/screwing a fence to the table either. Just clamp the stock on, run it thru the router, unclamp, place the notch you just cut over the spacer block, clamp, and run it thru again, repeat till done. I see that the fence part of the miter gauge is made of phenolic, as well as the base plate part. Are the two attached from the bottom with screws? If so, it would be easy for Oak Part to make seperate bottom plates for the miter gauge system that could be replaced for making finger joints. What do yall think??
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08-22-2007, 11:45 AM	#2
Mike Senior Moderator Supreme Forum King Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Detroit, Michigan USA Posts: 3,378 View Mike's Gallery	Report This Post! All you need is a push block to help guide your work across the jig. The method I use is a simple one. I took a piece of scrap 4 x 4 about 6" long and ran one pass over the jig. I set the groove on the fence and I have a nice stable guide to keep the wood in position. I also cut one piece at a time. The push block also helps prevent tear out on the back side of the wood. If you own more than one size jig simply rotate your 4 x 4 and repeat the process. Mark the size you are working with on top of the push block. There are photos of other fancier push blocks members have designed, and this is a matter of personal choice. What ever works best for you. __________________ Mike Please edit your profile with a name and location so we can better assist you. Last edited by Mike; 08-22-2007 at 11:50 AM.
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08-22-2007, 12:22 PM	#3
J0B00 Registered User New Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 6 View J0B00's Gallery	Report This Post! Thanks for the help Mike!
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08-22-2007, 12:38 PM	#4
Joe Lyddon Banned Supreme Forum King Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Alta Loma, CA USA Posts: 2,168 View Joe Lyddon's Gallery	Report This Post! W e l c o m e . . A b o a r d !!
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08-22-2007, 03:52 PM	#6
Dr.Zook Official Greeter Supreme Forum King Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: New Lebanon, Ohio "USA" First Name: Dave or "Doc" Posts: 4,709 View Dr.Zook's Gallery	Report This Post! Welcome to the Router Forums JOBOO. Glad you found this site. Hope you get your router system going. Good luck. __________________ Dave the "Doctor" In woodworking there is no scrap, only firewood. Please edit your profile with a name and location so we can better assist you and make for a friendlier forum.
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08-22-2007, 06:26 PM	#7
Doyle Registered User Forum Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Mariposa California USA Posts: 195 View Doyle's Gallery	Report This Post! Welcom JOBOO You have found a great place for loads and loads of information And the members here are more than OK, A1plus, in my book. Take care Doyle __________________ Our tools and machines never take prisoners!
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08-22-2007, 06:27 PM	#8
Doyle Registered User Forum Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Mariposa California USA Posts: 195 View Doyle's Gallery	Report This Post! That was ment to be WELCOME not Welcom eee-gads finger slip Take care Doyle __________________ Our tools and machines never take prisoners!
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08-22-2007, 06:51 PM	#9
rmaxa Registered User Forum King Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Rochester, NY First Name: Rolf Posts: 562 View rmaxa's Gallery	Report This Post! Welcome to the forum JOBOO __________________ Rolf http://www.rochesterwoodworkers.org/index.html
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08-22-2007, 07:17 PM	#10
challagan Retired Moderator Supreme Forum King Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Iowa Posts: 4,002 View challagan's Gallery	Report This Post! Welcome Joboo. You can't go wrong with the Oak Park table set up. You don't have to have it to use the box jigs but it sure works nice and a simple and versatile table! Corey __________________ My Carving Website: The Iowa Woodcarver http://iowacarver.tripod.com/ My Shop Website - Woodshop 51503 http://woodshop51503.tripod.com/
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