Woodhaven 4556: Portable Box Joint Jig - Manual (Page 4)

Fine adjustments:
Fit the finger of one test piece in the notch of the
other. Measure the gap between them using a feeler
gauge (not supplied) or pieces of paper (1 thickness of paper =
approximately .002"). Joints that are glued should have a “slip”
fit (approximately .005" of gap) to allow room for the glue.
If the parts don't fit together, readjust Stationary and
adjustable Stops to the right slightly and recut the test joints.
The final fit of the joint is adjusted by slightly increasing
or decreasing the distance between the right side of the
Stationary Aluminum Stop and the left edge of the work. Move
the Stop left or away from the work to tighten joint. Move
the Stop right or closer to the work to loosen joint.
It's easier to measure a joint that's too loose using a feeler gauge
or pieces of paper, than it is to measure a joint that's too tight, which
requires a caliper. We recommend making test cuts that are slightly
loose to make it easier to figure the amount of adjustment necessary.
Very often the joints will fit just right using the Setup Jigs we supply.
Before making any adjustments to tighten the joint, clamp one
of the test pieces back in it's original position on the jig. Loosen both
the Adjustable and Stationary Stops and slide them away from the left
edge of the test piece. Using the feeler gauge or piece(s) of paper from
above, set them against the left edge of the test piece, then slide the
Stationary Stop so the feeler gauge or papers are sandwiched between
the right side of the Stationary Aluminum Stop and the left edge of
the test piece. Reset the gap between the Stationary Stop and the
Adjustable Stop using the Setup Jig and make new test cuts.
Part Cutting:
On your first workpiece, cut along the entire width of the work, hop-scotching the Jig/Stops into each freshly cut notch to
reindex the Jig for the next cut. Always make sure the Stops are fully in the freshly cut notch before cutting the next notch.
To make the mating cuts on the second workpiece line up with those on the first workpiece,
you need to offset the first cut on the second workpiece by the width of the joint.
To do so, take your first workpiece and flip it edge for edge so its first notch
is between the Stops. Butt the second workpiece against the edge of the first
workpiece and clamp it in place. Remove the first workpiece and make the first
cut on the second workpiece, then continue cutting the second workpiece by hop-
scotching the jig from notch-to-notch the same as you did the first workpiece.
©Copyright WOODHAVEN INC. 9/18/13
(800) 344-6657 or WWW.WOODHAVEN.COM
3
8
9
Measure joint gap
with Feeler Gauge
First
Edge
Second
Edge
Workpiece
One
Workpiece
Two