Making a Jig for Straight Cuts

In this book we suggest using a simple right-angle jig on

several occasions. The jig ensures straight cuts.
Cut base from 3/ 4"-thick melamine stock. Keeping two
perpendicular factory edges intact, cut the base about
12" wide and 2" longer than the width of your shelving
stock. Cut a straight piece of 1 x 2 cleat to match width
of base.
Using a Biscuit Joiner
For making drawers (see page 10) we recommend
using biscuits to join drawers and shelves on occasion.
A biscuit joiner provides professional application of
biscuits.This tool has a small circular blade tucked into
a housing at the front of the saw. When you press the
spring-loaded tool against the edge of a board, the
self-registering blade emerges from the housing and
engages the board edge, cutting a perfect slot.
-.
Set the height of the
fence on the biscuit
joiner to one-half of
the thickness of the
material to be joined.
Turn the blade depth
adjustment knob
to the appropriate
biscuit size for
the project.
Fasten cleat flush along
the short factory edge, using
glue and wood screws (driven
through countersunk pilot
holes so the screw heads are
slightly below the surface).
Make sure the cleat is straight
and perfectly flush with
base's edge.
If desired, mark the long
factory edge so you'll know
which one is your guide edge.
Clamp the first workpiece to a flat work
surface, and align the registration mark on the
biscuit joiner with the cutting line. Cut the first
biscuit slot by pressing the joiner firmly into the
edge of the workpiece, keeping a firm grip on both
to avoid slipping out of alignment. Cut a slot in the
mating workpiece the same way.
A ccesso ries 139