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lock miter on router table

detailedbuilder | Posted in Construction Techniques on June 5, 2007 08:26am

Yesterday I had a question about lock miter for  box beams.

I want to go ahead and  do it with a router table, but I was wondering if any of you have heard of a two piece set  lock miter router bits (one the reverse of the other) so both cuts can be done with the board flat on the router table and not having to run one vertical against the fence.  I know this means twice adjusting the router bit. For me it would sound much easier than running a 6″ board up against the fence.

Has anyone had experiance running boards for this application when they are long (up to 20′) without an elctric feder and had success?

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Replies

  1. FHB Editor
    JFink | Jun 05, 2007 09:37pm | #1

    two-piece sets do exist: http://www.mlcswoodworking.com/orderstatus/html/smarthtml/pages/bt_lockmiter.html

    never had a need to route 20' at one time - so I can't help you much there.

    Justin Fink - FHB Editorial

    Your Friendly Neighborhood Remodelerator

    1. detailedbuilder | Jun 05, 2007 10:10pm | #6

      I checked out the link you gave me and the 45 deg lock miter is only a one piece bit. the Two Piece was only for the 22-1/2º Lock Miter Set. Do you have any other ideas where I could find ?

      1. FHB Editor
        JFink | Jun 05, 2007 10:17pm | #7

        oh, I'm sorry. Didn't read it carefully enough. That's the only source I can find, sorry to disapoint.Justin Fink - FHB Editorial

        Your Friendly Neighborhood Remodelerator

      2. User avater
        jagwah | Jun 05, 2007 10:42pm | #8

        I really like the lock-mitre joint and use it as often as I can but I agree with Sphere your going to have a few issues.

        Why not consider a splined mitre. This way you could run the mitre with a hand held router using an edge attachment. 

        1. detailedbuilder | Jun 05, 2007 11:05pm | #10

          what do you mean by splied miter? reg 45 cut with biscuts?

          Do you know of  2 piece set router bits for lock miters (one the reverse of the other, so both cut can be done with board flat and not on edge?

           

          1. User avater
            jagwah | Jun 05, 2007 11:16pm | #11

            A splined mitre in your case is simply two opposing 45 degree edges dadoed to receive a continous splined.

            This photo shows a different use for a splined mitre.

             

            Edited 6/5/2007 4:17 pm by jagwah

          2. detailedbuilder | Jun 05, 2007 11:27pm | #12

            thanks for picture. Do you know of a router bit that cuts the 45 with a groove for the spline? how do you make your groove?

             

          3. User avater
            jagwah | Jun 06, 2007 01:14am | #13

            Sorry

            not to be insulting or anything but if your not already familiar with these terms and tools your not going to succeed at all, and probably get hurt. 

            Router bits that do a 45 are readily available at any good lumber yard or online. The spline or dado cut can be done with a router bit as well.

            Hiring a good trim carpenter who's old enough to have done a lot of different work might be a big help for you.

            Count his fingers though and if he has fewer than 9 he has to much experience! 8) 

  2. User avater
    Sphere | Jun 05, 2007 09:46pm | #2

    Where ya gonna find a dead nuts straight edge on a 20' er? A lock miter NEEDS that to work. I hope ya have a really good jointer.

    "you are dead a lot longer than you are alive"
    Noah Aaron MacKenzie, 1990.

    1. detailedbuilder | Jun 05, 2007 09:56pm | #3

      I was going to cut  straight 6" boards out of 1X8" (or two 1X4" glued) using a straight edge and a a skill saw.

      1. User avater
        Sphere | Jun 05, 2007 10:00pm | #4

        Good luck with that...I think you are in for an education in how to exercise your futility.  The lock miter is way too much trouble."you are dead a lot longer than you are alive"Noah Aaron MacKenzie, 1990.

        1. detailedbuilder | Jun 05, 2007 10:06pm | #5

          It's for making Box beams, and I do want to use the lock miter joint. What are you forseeing as the bigest problem? I should mention that some of the box beams are not as long but the longest is 20'

          1. User avater
            Sphere | Jun 05, 2007 11:01pm | #9

            I've been wood working for over 20 yrs. and I'd not consider it as an easy or fool proof option. Lumber is not gonna stay consistant enough for your attempts.

            We read all the options yesterday no?  Biscuts, splines, butt joints...all are more proven methods. Lock miters are for drawers, boxes...things of that nature, not huge long running joints.

            One of the many things I have made are wind trunks and pipes for Pipe organs..wind trunks 12"x14"  x  12' long ( and other sizes) Pipes...12x12 inches by 20' tall...All airtite and butt joints."you are dead a lot longer than you are alive"Noah Aaron MacKenzie, 1990.

          2. IdahoDon | Jun 06, 2007 08:20am | #15

            I almost cringed when I heard it was for a long board.  I agree with you it's not a place for the lock miter.

            Biscuits would be much faster and look better. 

            Beer was created so carpenters wouldn't rule the world.

  3. User avater
    IMERC | Jun 06, 2007 05:45am | #14

    make sure yur stock is straight...

    use several feather boards to hold the stock to the fench / cutter..

    Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming

    WOW!!! What a Ride!
    Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!

  4. ELoewen | Jun 06, 2007 08:34am | #16

    "I want to go ahead and do it with a router table, but I was wondering if any of you have heard of a two piece set lock miter router bits (one the reverse of the other)"

    Not to insult, but if you look at the profile of the miter lock bit you should see that this is not possible

  5. choadsy | Jun 07, 2007 12:28am | #17

    Make a mortise table where the router mounts horizontally.

    http://www.mlcswoodworking.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/smarthtml/pages/horiztabl.html

    you don't have to buy this but hopefully you get the idea.

    Ignore the negative comments and safely try what you want to do, but please report on how it turns out.

    Route a squirrel

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