Shopsmith Forums

I was just looking at the pictures again and see you don't have a backer board for the bit to cut into after the work piece. You might want to see if you can work that in to keep the blowout in check. Or use wider boards and just rip the edge off after you have the joints cut.

Ed

Ed, that is a concern. Luckily, these boards are milled plenty wide. That's probably going to have to be my go to method. One other trick might be to use De Staco clamps on the present backer to hold a sacrificial stick. We'll see how it goes.
I plan to cut or plane some small amount away from the joint area to ease the bit path. That might help.
The plan was to run a few test pieces yesterday but, I ran into a problem with my Jessem plate inserts. The hole in my largest one isn't large enough for the bit and the Infinity set up gauge to fit. So, I sacrificed one of the blank ones and, using a hole saw, made an insert that is just barely big enough. Spent most of the day on that.

I got my bit before they started with the gauge and I have long wished I had the gauge. It looks like it will make the setup a slam dunk. Much better then the way I have to do it. I don't have the infinity bits either so I doubt the gauge will work on my bits........ did you get both sizes of bits?

I'd very much like to here how the setup gauge works for you. I don't have a project in mind right now but if I did I would be tempted to get the infinity set...... of course that is a major cost item so it may never happen.

Ed

I'm using a freud bit and the setup gauges fit fine. In the process of dialing it in right now. I'm doing something wrong. Not quite a good fit...yet.
I caught a sale a few months ago and got the two piece set for $45.00.

After a few missteps, everything finally clicked and I cut my first perfect lock miter joint. The jigs worked like a charm. My problem was poor eyesight. As Ed said, alignment is super critical. Finally gave in and used my new lighted magnifier head set. I was off about 3.5 hairs. Got that corrected and it went great from there.

Gene Howe wrote:After a few missteps, everything finally clicked and I cut my first perfect lock miter joint. The jigs worked like a charm. My problem was poor eyesight. As Ed said, alignment is super critical. Finally gave in and used my new lighted magnifier head set. I was off about 3.5 hairs. Got that corrected and it went great from there.

Looks like you earned your "Lock Miter Joint" badge!

Ed

reible wrote:

Gene Howe wrote:After a few missteps, everything finally clicked and I cut my first perfect lock miter joint. The jigs worked like a charm. My problem was poor eyesight. As Ed said, alignment is super critical. Finally gave in and used my new lighted magnifier head set. I was off about 3.5 hairs. Got that corrected and it went great from there.

Looks like you earned your "Lock Miter Joint" badge!

Ed

Yeah and, the guys at Ace will be impressed when they see it, too. The clerks at the grocery, not so much.

Congrats. You have more perseverance than me. I gave up on lock miter bits and now use these Lapped Miter joint bits.

https://www.infinitytools.com/routing/r ... -bits-3149

They produce a nice tight joint with an easy set up but won't get you Ed's Lock Miter Joint badge.