I’m pretty new to using the router table, but I’m trying to learn to do rabbet joints and make a simple box.
When I tried to use the router table to cut the joints, I couldn’t figure out how to make my cuts more precise with regards to the depth of the cut and how high the blade is above the plane of the table. As far as I could tell, the best way was to eyeball when the blade was level with the table, and then crank it up from there (and measure using the dial on the table). Or eyeball whether the fence was even with the edge of the blade, then try to measure how far I pushed it back.
Any advice or tricks here? I feel like there’s probably something ridiculously simple that I’m missing.
Cool, thanks for the reference! Looks like all of those classes are full now, but I’ll keep an eye out. And I’ll just keep experimenting with the router table until then, see what I can figure out via Youtube.
In short… get close with a measuring tool but not too high, then sneak up on your precise dimension. Test fit often, and also have a backup piece specifically for tests.
The exception is with something like a dovetail bit. If you’re too low and then move up to the right height, you’ll have made your dovetail socket too wide. In these situations you really need to have a milled up piece specific for tests.
Cam, I’m generally in the wood shop most mornings and would be happy to help and/or teach you how to set up the router and make the cuts safely. Let me know if this is something you’d be interested in and we can work out a time.
