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Tiny finger joints on oak, and a woodworking quiz!

I have several new things to report today, from teeny tiny finger joints, a new router table, a woodworking quiz in the video above, sharpening hand plane irons, and a new camera (GoPro).

Router table: As I mentioned in an earlier post, I bought the Rockler HPL router table top with phonolic plate. However, Rockler replaced the plate with the aluminum plate, because one of the screws used to secure the round insert stripped the threads. Rockler provided terrific Customer Service, replacing the insert plate via overnight delivery.

I used the new RTJ400 dovetail and finger joint jig from Leigh Industries to machine tiny finger joints with a 3/32-inch router bit; for this I had the e10 guide bushing mounted on the router table insert.

The results are terrific. The joint fit like a glove – you can see the results starting at 3:25 minutes in the video.

I have included something new in the video – a QUIZ! Put simply, I wanted to find out how much attention readers gave to the details in the video. I won’t give away prizes for perfect answers; but you can take the quiz as many times as you wish. This video is not hosted on YouTube, due to the requirements of the quiz embedded in the video.

I am now either ripping boards with hand saws, or using hand planes to get them to the proper width to get symmetrical joinery. And I use hand planes to get the proper board width. I love it! Heck, I even sharpened four hand plane irons yesterday, using scary sharp (sandpaper), and WD-40 as the lubricant. Highly recommended.

Lastly, I now use a GoPro camera to shoot videos in HD. I hope you like the better quality of this video. Let me know if you think this is better. Thanks!

— Al Navas

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Have you ever made a box with 3/32-inch finger joints?

3-16 inch router bit mounted on table

Router bit is 3/32″. Gnomon is shown for scale only; each alternating block is 1-inch walnut and 1-inch white oak.

It’s very much like getting a new toy. I have never (ever!) made a small box with tiny finger joints. Now that I have the Leigh RTJ400 jig, I will play a lot, until I know how to set up every joint option in my sleep.

A box made with 3/32″ finger joints is perfect for small gifts. I will use a variety of hard woods, to determine best settings for good fit.

I will have some video in the next few days. Trying to show detail in a video with something this small is difficult, especially when using the MP4 capability of my smartphone. So I am in the market for a good HD video camera. I hope I have not missed any good Black Friday – Monday – week deals!

— Al Navas

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Machining three sixteenths finger joints on the RTJ400 jig


I did not edit this video, other than adding titles and notes to the photos at the end.

Why? Because I wanted everyone to see how easy it is to machine these joints on the new RTJ400 dovetail and finger joint jig from Leigh Industries.

It took me two trial runs to get the joints dialed in. I am still learning the features of the new router table. One big thing I learned today: I must secure the insert plate with the two machine screws provided, as it was probably moving too much, and causing problems with the fit. That was the main reason it took me three runs to get a joint with a nice fit. I will confirm this over the weekend.

At the end of the video I share two other tips: 1) to ensure a near-square saw cut, check the reflection of the board on the saw plate – and 2) ensure board width is the correct width for the number of finger joints you plan to make. I should add a third tip: Use a shooting board to true the cut to 90°; all boxes you make will thank you.

— Al Navas