Rail and stile jig

[clintholeman]

Here are some pix of my rail and stile jig.  I have 2 - the other I use for pieces less than 2 inches.  It is very simple - it is made of MDF for the base and mostly plywood scraps for the alignment pieces and back support pieces.  I'm a little embarrassed at how shoddy it looks - and, as I said it is very simple - takes about 10 minutes to make one.

The strips/pieces in back are there to support the FesTool rail.  I think that is one of the keys to the jig - the gude rail is well supported.

The key is to make sure the base strip is accurately aligned and cutting the 2 inch [actually 51mm] pieces so they as exactly the width you want them - one for each end.  Clamp on the guide rail - which is nicely supported and you're off to the races.

In use, the biggest problem is to make sure that no sawdust gets between the piece you are cutting and the butting strip - as usual, the FesTool system dust collection [my CT-22], works very well - but double check to make sure.  Even a little can make a pretty big difference [ahh, yes, the voice of experience talking...].

 

[mysterium]

I like you jig & follow what you are doing except one "key" point... 

Or as you said it "The key is to make sure the base strip is accurately aligned and cutting the 2 inch [actually 51mm] pieces so they as exactly the width you want them - one for each end.  Clamp on the guide rail" 

How do you align for repeat cuts... 

Do you measure & mark the 1st piece & clamp the rail, thus the remaining pieces to be cut are slid under the clamped rail. 

Or are you using a 2" gauge block to set & clamp the rail?  After the initial set up, do you slide the piece in under the rail or use the block & clamp each time?

Thanks, jim

 

[clintholeman]

Or are you using a 2" gauge block to set & clamp the rail?  After the initial set up, do you slide the piece in under the rail or use the block & clamp each time?

That's what I do - set up the first piece using the gauge blocks, cut, double check for accuracy, then start ripping for real.  I loosen one of the clamps if I need to and recheck with the 2" gauge block, just to be sure.  Usually, I don't need to do anything but slide the piece in.

 

[mysterium]

Great tip Clint!!

"Thank You"  That's a jig that will come in "handy"

jim

 

[Deanuk]

Here are some pix of my rail and stile jig.  I have 2 - the other I use for pieces less than 2 inches.  It is very simple - it is made of MDF for the base and mostly plywood scraps for the alignment pieces and back support pieces.  I'm a little embarrassed at how shoddy it looks - and, as I said it is very simple - takes about 10 minutes to make one.

The strips/pieces in back are there to support the FesTool rail.  I think that is one of the keys to the jig - the gude rail is well supported.

The key is to make sure the base strip is accurately aligned and cutting the 2 inch [actually 51mm] pieces so they as exactly the width you want them - one for each end.  Clamp on the guide rail - which is nicely supported and you're off to the races.

In use, the biggest problem is to make sure that no sawdust gets between the piece you are cutting and the butting strip - as usual, the FesTool system dust collection [my CT-22], works very well - but double check to make sure.  Even a little can make a pretty big difference [ahh, yes, the voice of experience talking...].

Have you still got the photos?

 

[boblenz]

Yes, I would like to see the photo's also please.