comb
jointing
Secrets revealed! Comb and Finger
Jointing techniques can be mastered.
Jeremy Broun tells you how.
s well as being simple to cut,
the comb joint is a strong
and attractive alternative to
the dovetail joint for the making up
of both small and large carcasses. It
is also ideal for other applications
such as drawer and box construction
where the finger or comb pattern can
be used as a decorative feature.
A
The comb joint is a natural for
trinket boxes, musical instrument
cases and small tool cabinets using a
table mounted router fitted with the
Trend comb jointing cutter set.
Alternatively, joints for larger work,
for example, blanket boxes and chests
can be cut using the Trend DJ300
Dovetail jig fitted with the
appropriate finger template.
Comb joints can also be cut by using
a simple home-made jig and an 8mm
two flute straight cutter ref. 3/4 from
the Trend range.
Gone are the days when the dovetail
was considered as the only reliable
joint.
A
B
22
When constructing a box, the four
sides (A&B) can be cut at the
same time. One piece (B)
is then turned edge to
B
edge in order to leave
flush top and
bottom edges
when the box
is assembled.
INProfile
A
Jeremy is a renowned furniture
designer and router instructor.
He is the author of several books
and has produced three videos.
by Jeremy Broun
The comb joint, sometimes referred
to as a finger joint, offers a similar
extended glue line and by using a
superior modern glue achieves
virtually the same strength as a
dovetail and can look just as
attractive. It is possible to use the
joint with good effect in a variety of
contrasting timbers and there is
scope to use the joint and its jigs and
cutters imaginatively.
Using the Trend Comb
Joint Set
This cutter set enables comb joints in
timber up to 40mm wide (double
that if you turn the wood over) to be
cut. A heavy duty router mounted in
an inverted router table such as the
Trend Craftsman table or Routerack
is required. A simple jig is used to
hold the workpieces square to the
fence while cutting the joint profile.
This runs either in the existing sliding
bevel fence groove or against the
edge of the table, keeping it square to
the fence. This jig can be made using
MDF and softwood, glued and pinned
together.
Preparing the timber
The workpieces (i.e. the uncut sides
and ends) must be accurately planed
to size, finishing it flat with parallel
sides and faces. The timber thickness
for this cutter is between 3mm and
9.5mm, matched to the appropriate
diameter guide bearing. Maximum
material width is 40mm.
It is important that the ends are true
square either straight off a dimension
saw or a disc sander. Avoid using
bowed wood as joint inaccuracy and
Basic finger or comb joint
Alternative
decorative use of the
comb joint profile,
separating the
members by
inserting loose
tongues.
Autumn 1998