Joinery routing guide

 

Hold a workpiece against the edge of
the first dado pass and score the jig
Then measure to position the other
guide.

Positioning the guides

Note: Before making the first routing pass, consult your router owner's manual and center the router baseplate around the collet. Or make a mark on top of the router base and hold that mark against the jig guide when making each pass. That way, the bit travels the same distance from the guides as you rout.

Chuck a 1/2" straight bit in your router set to cut the rabbet or dado depth. Hold the router base against the guide and cut the first pass across both fences and the test scrap.

To position the second guide, hold your mating workpiece (or a scrap the same thickness) against the edge of the dado, as shown in photo. Use a craft knife to score its thickness on the edge of the fence. Then measure from the edge of the guide to the nearest edge of the dado. Measure that distance from your score mark to a point along the fence. Drill and screw the second guide there, 90° to the fences.

Now rout a second pass holding the router against the second guide and check the fit of the dado using the mating piece from your project. Adjust the second guide if necessary.

Buy a 1/2" straight router bit

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