Finger joint jig - one anoyone can make

nordhagen · 09-07-2008, 05:49 PM

OK, here it goes: My first post in this forum and my attempt to design a finger joint jig that's as cheap and simple to build as possible. I would really like it if you guys could take a look at it and tell me what you think, or even better; ways to improve it.

It requires a work table with a gutter in the middle and fixtures for the work piece, this is just an idea for a jig that will control the spacing of the fingers.

I've attached the drawing as a GIF-file, but you can also downlaod it as PDF: fingerjig.pdf

All white elements in the drawing are wood and so are the spacers as they are will have to be made to match the width of the router bit used. There are angle plates at the left side that serve as stops for the spacers and the cradle will be pushed against the spacers.

I'll see if I can find the time to bring the camera to the garage and take a few pictures of the finished jig. So what do you think? Could it work?

ajh359 · 09-07-2008, 08:51 PM

Looks very good would like to see your pic of it.

**harrysin** · 09-07-2008, 09:07 PM

Nord, I'm the last person to dampen anyone's enthusiasm, but regarding finger joints and their jigs, there are jigs available that are so low in cost and do such a good job that I haven't used my relatively complex home-made jig since being introduced to the simple Oak Park "spacer" jig. Oak Park by the way are the sponsors of this forum. There is of course no reason why something simple like this can't be made if it's inconvenient to shop overseas.
Here is a link to the thread I posted when first testing the Oak Park jig.

http://www.routerforums.com/table-mo...-park-jig.html

nordhagen · 09-08-2008, 01:56 AM

Thank you, harrysin. It sounds like the Oak Park jig does the job, but it looks like it requires a table mounted router, and I would like a jig that can be used freehand. The cheapest one I could find i Norway is $160 and I built mine for around $10, so still a bit cheaper I'd say :-)

**harrysin** · 09-08-2008, 02:35 AM

Few people use the router hand held more than me so you have aroused my interest. I look forward to seeing some photographs in due course.

nordhagen · 09-08-2008, 05:44 AM

I'll be testing it later today I hope. Photos after that or tomorrow :-)

Julie · 09-08-2008, 07:23 AM

Looks good to me, I look forward to seeing the photos.

~Julie~

**bobj3** · 09-08-2008, 08:47 AM

Hi nordhagen

I am also looking forward to your snapshots

I love to make jigs, I do try and use Bob R. rule keep it SIMPLE !

Finger joints are easy to put in if you have the right jig, one or a pair is not to hard but when you come up to 4 parts (joints) they must be all the same, or you end up with a box that looks like it was made in shop class 101.

The same thing is true when you cut the slots, it only takes one that's off by 1/64" and you will need a BIG hammer to put the box/joints together..

I will say the Oak-Park box jig is the best one I have and use ,you don't need a high end router table to use it just a flat board to hang the router from and a small hole for the bit and the Oak-Park jig,,you can sit/hang it on some saw horse stands and you can put out some great joints,,

It was the 1st. item(s) I got from Oak-Park and it's one of the best ones..

I will also say I have made jigs for the hand router and they just don't get the job done right...all in all I guess I have made 10 finger jigs and they just don't work or they are are a real pain to use ( simple thing again) ,,

as well as the Oak-Park ones...

Here's a snapshot of the ones I use...see below,the last and the next to last picture is the Incra Jig that can do it all...

http://www.routerforums.com/jigs-fix...ush-block.html

http://www.routerforums.com/jigs-fix...ter-table.html

If you don't want to buy one from Oak-Park you can buy one in the states..

http://eagleamerica.com/box-joint-an...ig/p/400-1251/
http://eagleamerica.com/product.asp?...cd2=1220885023
http://eacmedia.net/manuals/shared/034.pdf

http://www.newwoodworker.com/bxjntjig.html

==========
Incra Jig
http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?p...4&filter=incra
================

Quote:

Originally Posted by nordhagen

OK, here it goes: My first post in this forum and my attempt to design a finger joint jig that's as cheap and simple to build as possible. I would really like it if you guys could take a look at it and tell me what you think, or even better; ways to improve it.

It requires a work table with a gutter in the middle and fixtures for the work piece, this is just an idea for a jig that will control the spacing of the fingers.

I've attached the drawing as a GIF-file, but you can also downlaod it as PDF: Attachment 14894

All white elements in the drawing are wood and so are the spacers as they are will have to be made to match the width of the router bit used. There are angle plates at the left side that serve as stops for the spacers and the cradle will be pushed against the spacers.

I'll see if I can find the time to bring the camera to the garage and take a few pictures of the finished jig. So what do you think? Could it work?

nordhagen · 09-08-2008, 03:16 PM

OK, here are some photos of the finished jig. Sorry about the lousy picture quality, I only had my camera phone with me. I haven't gotten around to actually try it yet because I'm working on the doors and drawer fronts for my kitchen on order from the misses. I'll post some results once I get to trying it out.

**bobj3** · 09-08-2008, 03:51 PM

HI nordhagen

Thanks for the pictures, they are fine but I don't see how you hold the boards in place to put the slots in..
Or is the fixture/jig hanging over your bench vise.. ?

How about just making a simple box and show how it works with a picture of the box when your done..

==========

Quote:

Originally Posted by nordhagen

OK, here are some photos of the finished jig. Sorry about the lousy picture quality, I only had my camera phone with me. I haven't gotten around to actually try it yet because I'm working on the doors and drawer fronts for my kitchen on order from the misses. I'll post some results once I get to trying it out.

LinkBacks (?) LinkBack to this Thread: http://www.routerforums.com/jigs-fixtures/9457-finger-joint-jig-one-anoyone-can-make.html
Posted By	For	Type	Date
Woodworking \| The Nordhagen	This thread	Refback	10-14-2009 03:39 AM
Jig \| The Nordhagen	This thread	Refback	05-29-2009 03:47 AM
Finger joint router jig - one anyone can make \| The Nordhagen	This thread	Refback	04-02-2009 10:52 AM

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