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How To: Make a DIY Box Joint Jig

by on Jan 13, 2006

Today we’re learning how to make a box joint jig. Read on to learn how! 

Box joints, also called finger joints or comb joints, are really quite strong and have an attractive, handmade appeal which looks good on, well, everything.

And you’re welcome to cut and chisel each one by hand…but, with this easy jig, you don’t have to, and unless you’re a purist, there’s no reason not to crank them out by the dozens. This is designed for a router table, but the same approach would work for a table saw and dado blade.

**This jig is designed for 3/8″ square joints, and thus uses 1/2″ plywood. Adjust your measurements accordingly.**

How to make a box joint jig

1. Place your fence at it’s furthest position from the front of the table, and add an inch to create your length. Cut two pieces of 1/2″ ply at this length by 5″.

plywood sheets

2. From the same plywood, cut two more lengths, with one 1 1/4″ width and one 1″ width.

3. Assemble the two large pieces at ninety degrees (glue, with very tiny fasteners, if any), with the vertical face on top of the base. Then add the 1″ strips behind the 90-degree edge, as shown in the photo.

created on: 01/10/09

4. Cut a 7″ inch rail that fits inside your miter gauge slot, and glue it into place.

created on: 01/10/09

4. Chuck a 3/8″ bit (the size of your intended joints) into your router, and set the height at exactly 3/8″. Like, EXACTLY. Don’t mess this up.created on: 01/10/09

5. Turn on the router, and push the jig into the blade around an inch…don’t go as far as the support strips on the back of the joint.

created on: 01/10/09

6. Now, create a 3/8″ square plug, about 1″ in length, and glue it EXACTLY 3/8″ to the left of the slot…it’ll look like this:

created on: 01/10/09

7. To make your joints, line up the edge of your stock (which is 3/8″, or 3/4″, or another multiple of 3/8″ in width, and in length) with the pin, and make a cut. Then, place the pin in the slot of the first cut, and cut a second slot. Then just continue as necessary.

 

Buy or DIY? If you don’t want to make your own jig, this Rockler Router Table Box Joint Jig will do the trick.

 

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1 Comments

  1. Why are your photos all so close? A little wider of a shot and this would’ve been much better. Thanks for the info though.