1 Building the jig
Featuring a fence and tilting table, the jig shown at left enables you to raise panels using a router without mounting the tool in a table. The jig is clamped in a bench vise. Cut all the pieces of the jig from %-inch plywood; the dimensions suggested in the illustration will work well with a typical workbench. Start assembling the jig by screwing the brackets to the underside of the table at one end, then cut adjustment slots through the arms. Secure the top ends of the arms to the brackets and the bottom ends to the fence using hanger bolts, washers, and wing nuts. Attach the table to the fence with a piano hinge positioned about 6 inches below the top of the fence. To prepare the fence for your router, bore a hole just above the table level to accommodate the largest J£-inch vertical panel-raising bit or straight bit you will be using. Screw the guard to the fence above the hole. Finally, cut a notch in the bottom end of the fence to clear the workbench’s vise screw. Install the bit in the router and screw the tool to the jig fence so the bit protrudes from the hole.
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Raising a panel
Secure the jig fence in the vise with the table at a comfortable height. Adjust the bit for a shallow cut, turn on the router, and make a test cut in a scrap piece. To adjust the bevel angle, turn off the tool, loosen the wing nuts securing the arms to the fence, and tilt the table up or down. Raise the ends of the panel before routing the sides; this will reduce tearout. Feed the panel across the table face-up, keeping your fingers well clear of the bit. Test-fit the panel and increase the cutting depth slightly to make a second pass (right). Continue until the panel fits in the grooves.
