Comments on: Miter Lock Router Bit http://toolmonger.com/2008/02/12/miter-lock-router-bit/ All tools. All the time. Your source for news, information, and reviews of hand tools, power tools, and tools of all kinds. Wed, 03 Dec 2008 02:27:31 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: Fred http://toolmonger.com/2008/02/12/miter-lock-router-bit/#comment-232213 Fred Wed, 13 Feb 2008 18:38:45 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2008/02/12/miter-lock-router-bit/#comment-232213 There are folks who sell setup jigs for their profile bits. I think that I've seen them at Price-Cutter and Eagle. I've used these and drawer lock bits - both after creating a setup jig to gauge the final result. If your cutting a few joints it may not be worth the trouble - but for dozens - the joints look neat and tidy and are plenty strong for many applications. For drawer fronts, however, I like dovetails. There are folks who sell setup jigs for their profile bits. I think that I’ve seen them at Price-Cutter and Eagle. I’ve used these and drawer lock bits - both after creating a setup jig to gauge the final result. If your cutting a few joints it may not be worth the trouble - but for dozens - the joints look neat and tidy and are plenty strong for many applications. For drawer fronts, however, I like dovetails.

]]> By: Stuart Deutsch http://toolmonger.com/2008/02/12/miter-lock-router-bit/#comment-232139 Stuart Deutsch Wed, 13 Feb 2008 17:01:47 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2008/02/12/miter-lock-router-bit/#comment-232139 Generally speaking, a well-glued joint will be stronger than the base material itself. The greater the gluable surface, the stronger the joint will be. But you're right, similar or at least sufficient strenght can be achieved by combining glue and pocket screws, or turning to other jointing methods. The beauty of a miter lock joint is that it is incredibly easy to create, once you get the hang of it. Multiple passes are always advised when dealing with large router bits, and this one is no different. The most common complaint when using these bits for the first time is that the setup is difficult. A few scrap pieces of wood and a set-up jig makes the process move much easier, and subsequent joints are easier to setup and cut once you get the hang of it. Generally speaking, a well-glued joint will be stronger than the base material itself. The greater the gluable surface, the stronger the joint will be.

But you’re right, similar or at least sufficient strenght can be achieved by combining glue and pocket screws, or turning to other jointing methods. The beauty of a miter lock joint is that it is incredibly easy to create, once you get the hang of it.

Multiple passes are always advised when dealing with large router bits, and this one is no different. The most common complaint when using these bits for the first time is that the setup is difficult. A few scrap pieces of wood and a set-up jig makes the process move much easier, and subsequent joints are easier to setup and cut once you get the hang of it.

]]> By: Keith Melton http://toolmonger.com/2008/02/12/miter-lock-router-bit/#comment-232101 Keith Melton Wed, 13 Feb 2008 16:18:11 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2008/02/12/miter-lock-router-bit/#comment-232101 I don't see them adding that much strength either, but logically these would lead to easier assembly of a miter joint wouldn't it? But yeah, watching the setup video for this and the multiple passes involved to get the cut correct just made me think it was not worth it. I don’t see them adding that much strength either, but logically these would lead to easier assembly of a miter joint wouldn’t it?

But yeah, watching the setup video for this and the multiple passes involved to get the cut correct just made me think it was not worth it.

]]> By: AZ_Engineer http://toolmonger.com/2008/02/12/miter-lock-router-bit/#comment-232071 AZ_Engineer Wed, 13 Feb 2008 15:32:49 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2008/02/12/miter-lock-router-bit/#comment-232071 I have a miter lock router bit, and a miter lock shaper cutter. Frankly, I haven't found them terribly useful. If you look closely at the picture about, your will notice that the grain runs across the tongue right where the stress would be. I don't think I've noticed any increase in strength when using them, and they are a bit of a pain to setup. You have to find the right fence setting by trial and error to get the joint to fit just right. Just my experience, your experience may vary I have a miter lock router bit, and a miter lock shaper cutter. Frankly, I haven’t found them terribly useful. If you look closely at the picture about, your will notice that the grain runs across the tongue right where the stress would be. I don’t think I’ve noticed any increase in strength when using them, and they are a bit of a pain to setup. You have to find the right fence setting by trial and error to get the joint to fit just right.

Just my experience, your experience may vary

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