Upgraded Box Joint Jig – Rod runners, Cleaner Cuts + Pro Tips

I modified the typical jig used for routing straight finger joints — the classic woodworking box joint jig for making wooden boxes — to make it slide better on the router table.
The idea was to reduce the friction that happens when a sled made with a sheet of plywood slides on a table top also made with plywood.
So I slightly raised the base of the jig above the surface of the router table.
Also, instead of using wooden strips as runners, I used wooden rods, which have less contact surface and therefore less friction.
And I thought this box joint jig would be even more versatile if I made three interchangeable jig fronts to work with three different router bit diameters. So now I can route finger joints of different sizes.
This way, I can make wooden joints with different sizes of teeth and slots, depending on the width and thickness of the boards I use in my woodworking projects.
And while I’m at it, I show you a few interesting tips when making these box joints, like how to use it to center the pins and the sockets.
One extra trick is to avoid the wood splitting when routing. And another one is to prevent a tooth or slot from ending up too narrow at one end of the boards.

Watch how I built the router table shown in the video (on my other channel with no comments):
   • The Easiest Router Table to Make with an I...  

I also made another router table, this time routing a recess to fit the insert plate (with comments):
   • Tips for Routing,  in Sections, the Cutout...  

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