Router Table Joinery
George Vondriska- In-depth Instruction; over 136 mins
- On-demand video access anytime
- Bonus downloadable PDF resources
- Access to class Q&A
In this opening session, you’ll hear about the variety of joints that you’ll learn about in the class, and how your router table can be a great jointer.
Even if you already own a jointer, it’s worth learning how to joint on the router table. You’ll benefit from the router’s high rpm, spiral cutters, and carbide tipped tooling. Carbide tooling is especially important if you’re jointing man-made materials, and spiral cutters are a big help on curly material that’s prone to chipping.
One of the more common applications of a tongue and groove joint is breadboard ends on furniture. This is a great way to cover end grain, and keep large panels flat. Whether your preference is to use a dedicated tongue and groove cutter for this operation, or standard straight bits, we’ve got you covered.
If you want to make frame and panel doors, the router table is the way to go. Whether you want to use a reversible bit or matched set of cutters, we’ve got you covered. Our shop-made sled provides a great way to make the end grain cuts safer, and prevent chipping on the exit side of the cut.
A staple of furniture work, you need to know how to create this joint if you want to build tables or chairs. The key to the strength of this joint is a good fit between the mortise and tenon. In addition to teaching you how to achieve that fit, we’ll provide you with the proportions between the tenon and rail that give this joint the proper structure.
Looking for a rock solid, and fast, means of putting drawers together? Drawer locks are the answer. Whether you make the joint with a slot cutter or drawer lock bit, once it’s set up you can produce incredibly strong joints and a room full of drawers in no time. The slot cutter method even allows you to cut the groove for the drawer bottom as part of the joinery process.
Lock miters have a reputation of being fussy, and very difficult to set up. Our secret is working in one plane, not two, while setting up the bit. Once you’re set in one plane, which is simple to do, you’ll see how easy it is to get set up in the second, vertical, plane. You’ll come to love using a lock miter.
George wraps up this Class with a reminder to practice the joinery skills you learned on the router table – and you’ll be on your way to using these techniques for many years.
It’s hard to beat the across-the-board versatility of joinery that can be done on a router table. With this online video class, your arsenal of woodworking joints will grow. We’ll teach you how to use the router table to:
- Joint edges
- Cut tongue and groove joints
- Make cope and stile joints for frame and panel doors
- Create mortise and tenon joints
- Craft rock solid boxes with a drawer lock joint
- Finesse the elusive lock miter joint
Teaching from the ground up
In this Router Table Joinery class you’ll learn to master each of the joints listed above. Bit selection, shop-made jigs to help with the machining process, tips for setting up the router bits — no part of the process has been left out. This is the surest way to help guarantee your success with these joints. Once you have the joints mastered they’ll improve your skills and project quality in furniture making, cabinet making, drawer boxes, and more.
Alternative approaches
Realizing that not all woodworkers have the same tools, we provide you with different methods of working through the joints. If your router table fence doesn’t offset for jointing, no problem; we show you a shop-made version. Tongue and groove joints can be cut with dedicated tongue and groove cutters, or with simple straight bits. You’ll see both methods. For cope and stile we teach you how to use a reversible bit and a two-piece matched set. The drawer lock joint can be created with a slot cutter, or with a dedicated bit. We show both methods.
In addition to the detailed video help you’ll receive, this class provides downloadable resources and helpful information to print and keep, including a detailed Class Guide you can follow and use as a reminder for the key points of the class instruction, and a resources document that will give you information on the products you’ll see in the class.
George Vondriska
Formally trained in technology education, George Vondriska has been teaching woodworking since 1986. He has been the managing editor of Woodworkers Guild of America since 2007. In addition to classes at his own Vondriska Woodworks School, George teaches at woodworking shows across the country and has taught woodworking for the Peace Corps, Andersen Window, Northwest Airlines and the Pentagon.
Bonus materials available after purchase