Articles
One Great Tip » Drawer Joinery Using A Slot Cutter
Drawer Joinery Using a Slot Cutter
by George Vondriska
Photos by George Vondriska
Posted: August 24, 2010
Here’s an easy way to create a rabbetted drawer lock joint, using only a 1/4" slot cutter. One set up will do all the joinery and allow you to cut the grooves for the drawer bottom. It’s easy and it’s fast. Here we go! Be sure to check out the companion video for this article.
The Bit
This process relies on a 1/4” slot cutter router bit. They’re pretty common, handy to have around, and not too expensive. See Sources.
The Set Up
First machine your drawer box pieces to size. The joinery process creates some blow out, so it’s best to leave the parts too wide, then cut them to finished width after the joinery is complete.
When using a 1/4" slot cutter the box parts need to be a perfect 1/2" thick. You can use this joinery technique with other size slot cutters. Just make sure your parts are exactly twice as thick as the dimension of the cutter. Take your time and make sure the thickness is correct.
Set the height of the cutter so it’s even with the top of the material you’re machining.
Position the fence so the bit penetrates the material by half the thickness, in this case 1/4". I like to use brass bar stock for this type of set up, see Sources. Make the tip of the cutter even with the bar stock.
Test Cuts
Make test cuts in scrap. Machine one piece with its face against the fence.
Machine a second piece with the face down on the table. The test pieces need to be the same thickness as your project pieces.
If the horizontal cut leaves a “feather” on the board, your material is too thick.
Test the fit. If the fit is too loose, you need to raise the bit. If the fit is too tight you need to lower the bit.
You’ll eliminate a lot of chipping on the drawer sides by making a zero clearance fence. With the cutter running, push the infeed side of the fence into the bit.
Machine Drawer Parts
Machine the drawer sides with their inside faces against the fence. Use a push pad to hold the material, and cut both ends of both pieces.
Machine the fronts and backs with the inside face down on the router table, again using a push pad to hold the material.
After these cuts are complete cut the parts to their final width, which will also eliminate any chipping that occurred on the outfeed side of the cut.
Cut The Groove
Cut the groove for the drawer bottom in all four pieces. Be sure the inside face of each piece is against the fence.
Assemble
Cut a bottom to fit, brush glue into the joint, and assemble. You’ve made a one-set-up drawer on the router table.
Sources
1/4" Slot Cutter
#822.364.11
(888) CMT-BITS
Brass Set Up Gauge Set
#144932
(800) 225-1153
Related Videos
11 Comments
I would be inclined to use a straight bit and run everything flat on the table, no vertical cuts.
I like it!! Now I have to go out and buy a router table......... Sure makes a task I have planned to do more simple (KISS).
George, Hope you enjoyed Atlanta, but as for rubbing elbows with the famous, I expect they want to rub elbows with you.
i have always used dovetail jointery, but i need a change i think i can learn to use this techinic on some new drawers i am building thanks it looks really simply.
John You could do this with a straight bit, but you won't be able to do it in one set up. The fence position that's correct for cutting the dado across the face of the sides is not the same as the position for rabbetting the ends of the front and back. G
George, Thanks for this. Who makes a good slot bit? Also, you once told me that you can use your router table as a jointer....maybe a video of that??
Thanks George. I'm going to try this.
Could you prevent blow out by using a backup board?
I used this technique to make lock rebates for the drawers in my tool cabinet ... works like a charm! I did use a back board to prevent blowout ... also used a push block with a cleat to improve control of the workpiece.
When I didn't need/want to go the 'extra mile' of doing dovetails I use this same joint but have always usually done it on the table saw. As mentioned - that takes moving the guide a couple of times. Recently bought a t&g cutter (which can double as a slot cutter). Trying this technique today -- liking it very much.
Made this today. Nice strong joint. A drawer joint for the rest of us!