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Here is a good view with the braces installed. I left room at each end for the C-clamps to
hold the jig in place. The center section is also free from a brace so that the bit hole
can be routed.
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While the MDF is a smooth surface, I like to add matte white Formica on all shop surfaces. As I said in the beginning, I am making this fence to be used over and over again. |
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The fence is now in place on my router table and I am mounting the locking miter bit in my Hitachi M12V. This is a great router for this application. Between the horsepower and the variable speed control, it works well for this and all raised panel construction work. |
I am using a Woodhaven table and it comes with several inserts for different bit widths. The CMT bit is 2-inches and this insert is 2" also. It is a tight fit; too tight to use without a little "widening." I install the insert with the bit lowered. |
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Then I clamp a piece of wood over the insert to hold it down while I raise the spinning bit through the insert. With that done, I have a good and safe zero-clearance insert. |
The next thing to do is to cut a hole for the router bit. I started by tracing an outline around the bit and then I used a saber saw to cut out the opening. This opening could have been made by pushing the fence into the spinning bit but because of the contour of the bit, I opted to cut a more approximate opening. |
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Here is the hole from the rear. I purposely enlarged it so that there would be room to exhaust the sawdust. I will make a dust port in this section later. |