Box Joints - TS v. Router Jig

[Jeffrey Schronce]

I am looking for the collective opinion of the group. In you opinion which method has the best ratio of quality to speed? I have never used my PC 4212 to cut box joints, rather I use the TS with a jig. The project I am thinking about will fit the contraints of the 12" PC jig. With a nice whiteside straight bit do you think I will have better results versus using dado blade on TS? These are figured woods, so I think router may be better. Set up would be longer on router jig for each piece, but actual cutting time would be shorter. Of course router jig is much messier and noiser.

[ragswl4]

I have cut box joints with the BT3100/shop made jig and using a router with an Incra Jig. I have found the quality of the cut on the router to be far superior to the TS. Not only are the cuts smoother but more accurate when using the router/Incra. Of course with the Incra Jig/fence there are templates that provide exact movement of the fence. Initial set up takes a little time but after that, the cutting of the joints goes pretty fast. Make sure you use a sacraficial board behind your cuts to prevent tear out. One tear out and trash the board.

I think with the right jig and the right blade the TS could produce good quality box joints. I could never quite get the jig/saw aligned in such a way to give good repeatable joints. Probably my lack of attention to detail.

For figured woods I make sure I have a sharp bit and go slow at the end of the cut. I have a set of whiteside bits especially made for the Incra Jig. They perform excellent. Original set was from Grizzly....well, they are in the tool cabinet.

[Black wallnut]

I've had such excellent results making them on my router table with a shop made spacer fence jig that I've never done it any other way. http://www.blackwalnutjigs.com/boxjointjig.asp

[Ken Massingale]

Your site seems to be having problems, Mark.

[JimD]

I've never had success with the table saw techniques. I will try a Grizzly guide for my Harbor Freight dovetail jig next time I try box joints.

Jim

[John Hunter]

I have made them both ways. The best IMHO is the router table with the Incra jig.