Routing New projects

“There is a need to re-think how the router can be used”. When designing a project we must consider how the material is to be held secure.

One method I have developed, is the ‘Jig Holder’, capable of holding the material and the template securely in position, without nailing them both together. Jig holders are designed to suit the size of the material to be cut. Some are long and narrow others are small rectangular or square. Other ‘Special’ Jig Holders and Jigs are constructed for special projects i.e. inserting hinges,/ routing mortice and tenon joints,/ cutting circles with the router,/ routing elliptical shapes,/ Routing a tapered leg, etc. Each jig is designed to make routing Safer, and produce the project quicker and more accurately, and in most instances with a better ‘finish’ eliminating a great deal of sanding. It will be necessary to have a number of template guides at your disposal to complete the projects.

Photographic samples of projects are published here simply to demonstrate there is a need to construct the Jig Holder (Box) to hold the jig,/ material,/ and template secure, if you wish to produce projects of this type. (How else can it be achieved?)

Cams: In many of the projects shelf supports have been shown to hold the material secure during the routing process. Latest method of securing the material is to produce eight ‘Cams’ and place two at each corner. The development of the cams will enable a greater variety of material of different sizes.

Here the cams are positioned in readiness to rout the twelve sided clock. (See the article on the 12 sided clock)

Small Cabinet doors
The CNC router has introduced a number of projects which were considered impossible to achieve with the standard plunge router. The kitchen cabinet doors are a typical example of one of the projects. With an increase in the size of the standard jig holder shown previously, it is possible to produce doors 720mm high and 450mm wide. Once the use of the template guide has been mastered there are numerous other designs to choose from. The procedure adopted is the same no matter what size of door is required.

Small Boxes
The construction of the small boxes will require a number of templates and a number of new routing techniques if they are to be constructed with safety. See the article on routing the small boxes

Partitioned ‘Heart’ shaped boxes can be cut from solid timber with the aid of the same standard 400 x 300mm Jig holder. This box requires a number of template to be produced to complete the project

Making or Buying Jigs:
Jigs may not be available for purchase to complete the project you may wish to produce, therefore it will be necessary to design and construct you own. Jigs templates and template guides will introduce greater Safety Awareness and improve the standard of finish on many projects.