Better Jig for Shelf-Pin Holes
Here is an improvement on the standard shelf-pin drilling jig. It uses a plunge router with a spiral carbide bit to make clean holes for shelf pins in the sides of cabinets.
Like other jigs for this task, this one is a template that clamps to the workpiece, with a line of evenly spaced holes to locate the router for each cut. This jig’s unique feature is the 1⁄2-in.-wide by 1⁄16-in.-deep groove that runs the length of the jig exactly in line with the holes. The groove captures the bottom of the guide bushing, letting me lift it from one hole and slide the router to the next hole without any fumbling around to find it.
I made the guide from 1⁄2-in. MDF, cutting the groove on each side with a dado cutter on the tablesaw, and then drilling a series of guide holes to fit a 1⁄2-in. guide bushing. That size bushing combined
with a 1⁄4-in.-dia. bit allows enough clearance between the bushing and the bit for the vacuum attachment on my router to clean out the chips. I drill the guide holes on a drill press using a plywood base with a short length of 1⁄2-in. dowel sticking up to serve as an indexing pin for consistent spacing. Use the groove as a reference when setting up the fence on the drill-press table.
Gerry Tetrault, Bristol, VT
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