How to cut box slots for splines on a box without a table saw?

[Cordy]

I use this easy method with a 6 mm flat top saw blade

 

[akirk]

I have a rockler spline jig - very simple and not expensive - works well...
purchased from ebay - one example on there:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/26484525...Y59MGWKxH5dxU5oqzhwqW53K4=|tkp:Bk9SR-jlwPSlYQ

 

[scubadoo]

@Cordy that looks like a great technique. I don't have a table saw but have a tracksaw and mitre saw.

@akirk That jig looks really simple to use, thanks.

 

[Junah]

THey look perfect, I'll see if i can get some for tomorrow. Thanks!

Don't suppose you'd have a link to which arbor you used?

https://www.wealdentool.com/acatalog/Online_Catalogue_Arbor_Standard_133.htmlI use the 1/2 inch ones with a couple of different lengths. If I were to buy now, I would probably get the heavy duty ones as they give you a greater diameter but they use a thicker arbor.
https://www.wealdentool.com/acatalog/Heavy_Duty_64.html

 

[Junah]

https://www.wealdentool.com/acatalog/Online_Catalogue_Arbor_Standard_133.htmlI use the 1/2 inch ones with a couple of different lengths. If I were to buy now, I would probably get the heavy duty ones as they give you a greater diameter but they use a thicker arbor.
https://www.wealdentool.com/acatalog/Heavy_Duty_64.html

 

[furnace]

Of course , it is the glue line that adds strength. You could just use a tenon saw and let in slips of veneer.

This works really well and I've used it on small boxes. I made a small thicknesser to work with a No4 plane. It adjusts to enable thin pieces to be safely and accurately planed to a precise thickness - quite handy if you have quite a few to make.

 

[Orraloon]

I have tried a few ways. Router table and tablesaw using a jig that holds the box at 45*. Table saw being easiest but you are stuck with the kerf width. I guess you could make a fancier jig but I am lazy. So lately I have resorted to (the delicate may as well get a cup of tea now) a dado blade to get different widths.
I guess with care they can be done by hand. I would likely need to invest in a very fine saw. Making the keys I would plane the wood strip down to just slightly oversize then rub them down on a sanding block to get final fit. In fact I sometimes have to do that anyway.
Regards
John

 

[scubadoo]

View attachment 149413View attachment 149414

Great thank you. That's what i ordered and they arrived today. That is one beautiful box!

 

[Peter Sefton]

Images from our box making course with 1/4 sawn English Oak, Burr Walnut and African Blackwood splines, finished with shellac and wax. Spaces available in Feb if anyone is interested.

https://www.peterseftonfurnitureschool.com/courses/box-making-course/

Cheers

Peter

 

[Hornbeam]

The only problem with cutting on a router table using a slotting tool and an arbor is that you are limited to the distance in from each end you can cut the spline slots
Its fine if you just want the splines at the top and bottom as per Peters photos but if you have a deeper box and you want them all the way down then I think its the tablesaw or a tracksaw and a jig to hold the track over the corner
Wider splines can be cut on the router table taking passes but I think 3mm is as thin as you can go and there is still a possibility of cutter breakage

 

[Peter Sefton]

Over the top of the table saw could be quick if you make up a jig and use a flat top blade to ensure the groove is ready to except the spline, but not something we could teach or do in a commercial workshop as it's deemed unsafe and breaking regs.

Cheers

Peter

 

[furnace]

Images from our box making course with 1/4 sawn English Oak

You had me at the Lurpak........

 

[mikej460]

Images from our box making course with 1/4 sawn English Oak, Burr Walnut and African Blackwood splines, finished with shellac and wax. Spaces available in Feb if anyone is interested.

https://www.peterseftonfurnitureschool.com/courses/box-making-course/
View attachment 149519View attachment 149520View attachment 149521View attachment 149522View attachment 149523View attachment 149524

Cheers

Peter

That is one very shiny LN Peter! Lovely box mind you...

 

[Junah]

That is one very shiny LN Peter! Lovely box mind you...

Looks like a wood river to me?

 

[mikej460]

Looks like a wood river to me?

Yes you're right, I didn't look at it close enough!

 

[Ollie78]

Biscuit jointer.

 

[scubadoo]

The only problem with cutting on a router table using a slotting tool and an arbor is that you are limited to the distance in from each end you can cut the spline slots
Its fine if you just want the splines at the top and bottom as per Peters photos but if you have a deeper box and you want them all the way down then I think its the tablesaw or a tracksaw and a jig to hold the track over the corner
Wider splines can be cut on the router table taking passes but I think 3mm is as thin as you can go and there is still a possibility of cutter breakage

I got the long arbor from Wealden that has a total length of 107mm, i think that would give plenty of scope for positioning the splines. The set up worked really well.

 

[scubadoo]

@Peter Sefton Thanks for posting those photos Peter, really lovely box and i like the set-up you have for cutting the spline material.

I got the box finished, not in time for Christmas sadly but in time for New Year. It was a great project and packed in lots of skills and learning. Helped me get to grips with my new bandsaw too and convinced me that i definitely want a planer/thicknesser as i started off with a twisted board and had to plane everything by hand. I didn't quite get the piston fit I wanted on the trays and i think that was due to cutting the mitres on a router sled that ending up shortening the pieces slightly. My daughter was so pleased with it and kept give me hugs all day so I'm very pleased with the project. Will probably post in the things you've built section but thought it would be nice to post some here for the people who helped me with this. Cheers all.

Am i right in thinking the sides are Sapele? just seemed much darker and more brown than what i've used before.