working with

multi-sided Glue Joint Bits Cutting gap-free joints for multi-sided projects can be difficult to get right. Here are a few bits that it every time.

Chances are, you’ve got a reli- Getting the angles right for HOW THEY WORK. With a tradi- able method for cutting 45° miter multi-sided creations doesn’t tional miter joint, both work- joints. There are plenty of ways to have to be baffling. While dialing pieces are mitered. For example, do so. But when you’re building in the angle on a table can be by cutting two 22.5° angles, you a multi-sided project, like a box, a challenge, a set of router bits can end up with a 45° corner for an a planter, or a column with more take care of the setup for you. All eight-sided project. than four sides, things can get you need to do is install one in the But these bits work differently. tricky. It’s especially true when router table, and you’re off. Well, Only one edge is routed, creating the joints will all be visible and almost. There are a few things you an angled pocket. The other edge on display for close examination. need to know. is left to fit into the pocket. Because the angle of the cut is 8-Sided bit already determined by the bit, all Must match you have to worry about is sizing thickness of workpiece the pocket to match the thickness TOP VIEW of your workpieces. 8-sided box Outside face In addition, these bits make it easier than ever to up the Pockets align parts for assembly for a seamless fit. The easy glueup Remove material pocket prevents the workpieces in multiple passes from shifting when you add glue. Setup for 8-sided box A band clamp is all it takes to assemble a flawless joint.

42 Woodsmith No. 210 Setup for 6-sided box

Fence Outside face } A six-sided column TOP VIEW can be routed and 6-sided box assembled in no 6- or 12-Sided time with perfect- bit fitting joints.

Setup for 12-sided box Fence Inside face

TOP VIEW 12-sided box

Hardboard

MuLti-Sided. Before we get into and adjusted the fence until the The process is similar when the how to use the bits, there are a exposed edge matched the thick- workpiece needs to be cut using couple of things to point out. The ness of my workpiece. the lower portion of the bit, as with set shown here contains three Then with the bit set low, I the 12- and 16-sided setups. For 1 bits. One is for eight-sided assem- made a series of cuts, raising these, I used a piece of ⁄4" hard- blies, one will do both six- and the bit between each pass until board as an auxiliary surface on twelve-sided assemblies, and one I created a knife edge along the the table. This lifts the workpiece is for sixteen-sided projects. top. This is the final position of up so the knife edge rides higher Although all the bits work simi- the bit and will create a pocket on the fence. Without it, the edge larly, in some cases you’ll be cut- that matches the thickness of the can get wedged between the bot- ting on the “top” of the bit, with mating workpiece.When you get tom of the fence and table. the workpiece face up. In other it right, keep your test pieces to Since these bits are between 1 3 cases, you’ll be cutting on the bot- use as setup blocks for future proj- 1 ⁄4" and 1 ⁄4" in diameter, I like tom of the bit, with the workpiece ects. From here you’ll leave the bit to slow the speed down to about face down. The six- and twelve- height set and readjust the fence 15,000 RPM. Once the cuts are sided bit shown above illustrates for a shallower cut. complete, it’s just a matter of glu- the different setups. You can begin to make a ing up the assembly. SETUP. As I mentioned earlier, the series of cuts on your work- If you’re ready to add a new angle of the cut is determined by piece, shifting the fence back dimension to your woodworking, the router bit. So all you have to slightly between each pass until these bits can open the door for a do is set the bit height and fence the bit creates the knife edge on little creativity. And you can mas- position to control the depth of each workpiece. ter them in an afternoon. W the cut. For any particular stock thickness, there’s only one combi- 16-Sided bit nation that will work. Setup for To find the correct setup, it’s best 16-sided box to have a number of test pieces Fence Inside face handy that are the same thickness as your workpieces. And be sure to close the fence opening to cre- TOP VIEW ate a smaller clearance for the bit 16-sided box (main photo). Test Cuts. As a starting point, I rested the edge of the workpiece against the cutting edge of the bit

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