Project - Stickley Style Writing Desk  - Cutting Biscuit Slots

	There is nothing new about biscuit joinery. Biscuits are particularly useful when you are gluing together a number of boards to make a table top, or a writing desk top as I am doing now.    What is new for me is to use the router table to make the slots. I have two, top quality biscuit cutters and they work well, but it is up to me to have the tool aligned carefully with the board. Sometimes, that is where error creeps in.    It makes a lot more sense to lay the board flat, and move it into the router bit. I hadn't done it before, but I sure was pleased with my first results.
So this is where I started. I ordered a new slotting cutter. It is a 5/32" cutter that is recommended for biscuit cutting.  As you can see, I have an auxiliary fence for the router fence, one that I made for another project.
	Of course I am going to show you the bent wrench. I love all tools, but that one takes the prize in my shop.
I have marked the sample board with a centerline. Since you are always going to be cutting from one side of the board, this mark isn't critical. I have brought the cutter up to that point.
	On the fence, I mark lines where I need to cut out to allow for the shaft top.    Important: make the marks 3/4" apart so that the edges can be used as stop/start guidelines — more on that in a minute.
At the table saw, I cut between the lines, having set the blade to the height I had marked to allow for the slot cutter shaft.
	The Incra fence provides a T-track for attaching supplemental fences, but I find it quicker to clamp the fence on, when the clamps won't interfere with the operation. I have centered the fence on the bit.
To cut the profile of the slotter in the fence, I turn the router on and very carefully and slowly move the fence into the router. Since the Incra fence is not locked, there is a little play that I use to my advantage. I carefully move the fence within the range of the play to widen the aperture ever so slightly.
	I now have a "zero clearance" fence opening for this bit. In future biscuit cutting sessions, I will use this fence and set the bit height to match the opening.
I now set the fence depth by bringing the bearing flush with the front. This bearing is designed to match the depth needed for #20 biscuits. Rather than to change guide bearings for other size biscuits, I will adjust the fence using the Incra scale. For the most part, I use #20 biscuits.