Rockler half lap jig

[lardy1]

https://www.rockler.com/rockler-router-table-half-lap-jig

I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with this product. I have a bunch of cabinet doors to make and my current method of half lap is pretty crude and not particularly safe in that my fingers are the only thing holding the material. It doesn't take long for the arthritis to start screaming. I built my own jig but this has the clamping feature that should alleviate the pain somewhat.

Anyone?

 

[cgrutt]

Haven't used it but looks like a nice jig. Looks like you could also use that to cut tenons as well. Not thrilled how workpiece is suspended above table during cut. I might experiment with adding a piece that clamps to table and runs parallel at same height as jig to allow the piece to run flat against it and over bit to prevent tearout.

 

[shoot summ]

I wouldn't cut half laps on a router.

I would use a table saw, 2 cuts, all pieces cut at the same time, way faster. Set up for the shoulder, make all of the cross cuts, then set up to take the lap portion off, piece standing. A tenoning jig could be used for that operation.

If holding is an issue a simple jig could be made to hold the pieces.

 

[Old tool guy]

I can see it being useful for the initial cut to establishe the … depth? Not the thickness of the tenon but how far back from the edge. But do you have to reset the clamp every time to make the full width cut!

 

[lardy1]

I watched the video and it will be a lot of clamping and releasing as the cut is limited to the diameter of the bit. I'm kind of OK with that. Not ideal but I've played with doing it on my table saw and haven't had much success with accuracy and consistency. I worked in a laminate shop building laminated cabinets with poplar face frames back in the day. We half lapped with dado heads mounted in radial arm saws that were dedicated to the task. Those were incredibly sloppy joints but the laminate covered it.

 

[rharman]

If you want to buy, be sure to use the 20% off discount. Free shipping on $49 and over too.

 

[Jswain]

I think I'd rather a decent mitre gauge and a dado stack on a tablesaw. Or a nice tenon jig. Both you can get with clamps if holding the stock is the issue

 

[jar944]

Any specific reason for half laps on the doors? Cope and stick would faster and easier to both cut and assemble.