Project - Stickley Style Writing Desk  - "Making the Top"...continued

	Earlier in the week, I had time to figure out how to use the router table for making biscuit joints. (If you haven't seen that page, click here.) Now is the time to use what I learned.    At the router table, I install the 5/32" slotting cutter. As with all the bits, I press the bit until it seats in the collet. Remember, I have placed two "O"-rings in the collet to serve as the spacer that is required. (This was discussed in an earlier site - click here to go there.)
I place the auxiliary fence on the table and set the router bit height to the opening. This fence opening was cut for centering the slot on 3/4" stock, so this should work fine for the table top.    The Rout-R-Lift height adjustment is very fine. Turning the crank one revolution raises or lowers the bit 0.05". This makes fine tuning the bit height a breeze.
	With the bit in the opening, I know the fence is centered so I clamp it here. Note that I have added spacer blocks between the auxiliary fence and the Incra TS III fence. This allows for me to wedge a vacuum pick up in between the fences. As I said earlier, I plan to make an auxiliary fence that will connect directly to the dust collector.
I use a straight edge to align the cutter's bearing with the edge of the fence. Using the Incra TS III's micro-adjust knob (insert) is so much easier and more exact than "nudging with a hammer."
	Even in this very dense oak, it takes no time to make perfect biscuit slots on all the edges. Remember, the bottom of the table is facing up. The table top is face down on the router table. That should give me perfect alignment on the top face even with boards that may differ slightly in thickness. We will soon see.
At my work table, I have set the top panels in order on two Bessey K clamps and am now starting to glue.
	As I finish brushing the glue on the edges and the biscuits, I piece the boards together with hand pressure only at this point. The PVA glue has quite a long "open" time — approximately 15 to 20 minutes. That is plenty of time for this table top to be assembled.
I only want to clamp with enough pressure to get some squeeze out. The boards were so well fitted, that more pressure isn't necessary. Over-tightening will weaken a joint.
	The top is glued up. Note that I have added a third clamp on the other side. These boards are very well aligned and are not cupping, so this third clamp isn't really necessary but is good to do as a matter of practice. It does make it possible to stand the assembly up while it dries.    With a damp cloth, I wash away the squeeze out. I can do this with out negatively effecting staining later on, since I will not be using a penetrating stain. I will discuss this more when I start the finishing process.    I will do the legs, with sliding dovetails, next week.