How do I route a mortise on the router table

RichardPauli

Hi - I am the new guy and relatively new to woodworking - Can I use the router table (easily) to cut a series of 1" x 3/4" mortises on what will be the corner posts of a pressure treated flower box?
Thanks for the help,
Rich

Advertising



Remove these advertisements by registering for your free RouterForums.com account today!

bobj3

Hi Rich

You bet,you may need to use a plunge router bit to get the job done..

Plunge Cutting Straight Router Bits

MLCS plunge cutting straight router bits

=======

__________________
MLCS Instruction Pages & Videos
plus FREE MLCS Project Plans
http://www.mlcswoodworking.com/shops.../instruct.html

Part Finder
find parts for your power tools
http://www.ereplacementparts.com/
Need some help replacing the parts
http://forums.ereplacementparts.com/

Many Router Tips from RWS
http://www.routerworkshop.com/router_tip_glossary.html
http://www.routerforums.com/email-ro...-members-only/

Router Tables ,Ready to use
http://www.rt1000.com/
http://rt1000.com/_wsn/page2.html

Bob J.

westend

An alternative, if you don't have the plunge bit, is to drill a hole to accomodate a straight bit.

__________________
Sawdust is not dirt

AxlMyk

Don't take off more than 1/4" at a time.

__________________
.
Never, under any circumstances, combine a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night.

Mike - Retired FoMoCo Tradesman
My Gallery @ http://www.routerforums.com/axlmyks-stuff/

dustmaker

Welcome to the forums, Rich. A very timely question, I am about to perform the same operation on what may be the same or similar project. Did you by any chance download your plan from PlansNow? This is my first attempt at a mortise on the table; up to now I have usually just used a biscuit joint but I think the mortise and tenon is warranted for this project. At first I thought I would use a forstner bit on the drill press, but that sounds like a lot of work and the potential for errors...2 boxes x 4 posts x 4 mortises each = 32 mortises total. Here is how I plan to proceed: Setup the fence to land the mortise at the correct distance from the edge. Place stop blocks on the fence such that the start and end of the mortise coincide with my layout marks. While holding the piece against the fence and lower stop block, tilt the piece into the bit. Push the piece toward the opposite stop block and make the cut. Raise the bit 1/4" at a time and repeat until you reach the desired depth. Should make a nice, repeatable mortise. I plan to round the tenon to fit, or you can chisel the corners of the mortise square. Should be easy-peasy...just waiting on the lumber to dry out...

__________________
- Frank
Woodworking is more than a hobby.
It is a journey of discovery,
An application of innovation and creativity,
And an opportunity at self improvement.

Noob

Alternatively to the router table, you could make a jig for this also. It could be as simple as routing a slot in a piece of wood and using router bushings that ride inside the slot. Or make one where the base hits some stops to dictate the size like this:

or

Here is another one that could be made by looking at the pic: Shop Notes Mortising jig LINK

I thought I would add that if you are new to woodworking that making loose or floating tenon joints would be easier to make. For one, you rout the mortise on the parts then make separate tenons to fit your mortise. Secondly, you don't have to use as much math by having to add the length of the tenons to your part.

dustmaker

Here is an article that describes it better (with pictures) than I could:

Woodworking Tip: Mortising on a Router Table

I have used this technique to route slots for jigs and it works well once you get the hang of it. It does require that you have a bit with the correct mortise width.

__________________
- Frank
Woodworking is more than a hobby.
It is a journey of discovery,
An application of innovation and creativity,
And an opportunity at self improvement.

derek willis

Rich, look in my gallery, quite near the begining, for my mortise jig, very easy to make and one hundred per cent accurate.

__________________


A friend is a good egg even if they are slightly cracked!

Derek

RichardPauli

Since I asked the question, I haven't had time to work on the project. Plus it has been raining and I am working outside on this one.

Dustmaker: This project might very well be one that is on Plans Now. I have a book of "outdoor projects" that I got from the book club and the plans in it seem to be some of the same ones that I see on Plans Now.

Sorry it took me so long to acknowledge your replies - but I forgot my login info!!
Rich

bobj3

Hi Rich

Here's a small tip, don't log off the web site (RWS) ,just move to one other web site or just close it,, the cookie will stay in place and will be set to run when you come back the next time..

=======

"Sorry it took me so long to acknowledge your replies - but I forgot my login info!!
Rich"

__________________
MLCS Instruction Pages & Videos
plus FREE MLCS Project Plans
http://www.mlcswoodworking.com/shops.../instruct.html

Part Finder
find parts for your power tools
http://www.ereplacementparts.com/
Need some help replacing the parts
http://forums.ereplacementparts.com/

Many Router Tips from RWS
http://www.routerworkshop.com/router_tip_glossary.html
http://www.routerforums.com/email-ro...-members-only/

Router Tables ,Ready to use
http://www.rt1000.com/
http://rt1000.com/_wsn/page2.html

Bob J.