This jig, which I designed to cut mitered biscuit slots with a router, has eliminated my struggles with miter joints. It consists of a hardwood base, which bolts to my workbench, and an angled Plexiglas slide, sized to fit my router base.

To cut the slot, I use an Eagle-American biscuit cutter that has a ball-bearing limiter. The short shank on these bits limits the distance the cutter can be safely extended from the chuck. You can center the biscuit slot in 3/4-in. stock; in thicker stock, you’ll have to accept a biscuit slot nearer to the outside of the joint.

Mounting the 45¡ Plexiglas slide is critical because the recess in the Plexiglas must fit the mitered corner of the workpiece perfectly. To aid in this assembly, place a mitered workpiece in the jig to register the Plexiglas in the right position as you mark the mounting holes. Make the mounting holes slightly oversized, so you can adjust the slide if necessary.

Francis Chan, Nassau Bay, Tex.

Fine Woodworking Magazine, April 1993 No. 99

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