As a full-time box maker, I often use finger joints. So I was intrigued to learn that Forrest Manufacturing is now making a finger-joint set (part No. FJ0824) that cuts two common widths: 1/4 in. and 3/8 in. The set has a couple of advantages over a regular sawblade or a dado cutter. First, it reduces tearout. And, second, it produces a flat surface at the top of the cut. Dado sets often create a less-than-square surface at the top of the cut, resulting in small gaps even after clamping.

The set consists of two 8-in.-dia. blades that butt together side-to-side, with the teeth on one blade fitting into the gullet on the other. Switching from one cutting width to the other is done simply by changing the order in which the blades go on the arbor.

I made finger joints in heavily grained, brittle sassafras. The set produced a square cut at the top and little tearout. It sells for about $130. For information, go to www.forrestblades.com.

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