Lock Miter Router Setup

Simple steps for airtight joints.

Lock miter router setup.

There are two sizes of the lock miter master jig. Set the approximate fence depth by visually. A lock miter bit is one of the most challenging router bits to set up. That is the fence would never be set that far back.

Note that the markings are for reference only and particularly in the case of the fence location don t precisely represent the actual set up. In an effort to not completely derail that thread i thought it would make sense to have a dedicated thread to discuss tips and tricks to setting up a lock miter joint on the router table. One is for smaller router bits cutting 3 8 to 3 4 thick stock the other is for the larger bits cutting 5 8 to 1 1 8 thick stock. Once it does it delivers a very strong and elegant miter joint that is virtually impossible to detect from the outside and offers the additional advantage of being self.

Check out our guide to learn the r. 45 lock miter router bit instructions set bit height and fence depth 1. Router bit item 55 502. You need to get both the fence position and the bit height exactly right in order for this joint to work.

A lock miter router bit cuts a 45 degree miter with a tongue and groove. Align the midpoint of the lock miter cut with the centerline of the workpiece. When correctly cut the parts go together at a perfect 90 degree angle and the interlocking tongues and grooves make for lots of mechanical strength and glue surface area. In woodworking circles the lock miter is often referred to as a trick bit by a feat of geometric genius the bit creates both halves of a mitered corner complete with interlocking tongues and grooves with a single router table setup.

On the thread mentioned above there were many good suggestions for setting up the lock miter. With the lock miter master jig you can set up a lock miter bit in no time at all.