What is a spline jig?

Easily cut slots for splines with this tablesaw jig. Build the jig from 3⁄ 4 ” MDF. Bevel one end of the rear cradle at 45-degrees, then glue it to the upright at a 45-degrees angle to the bottom edge of the upright.

What is a splined miter joint?

PRIMARY USES. Providing registration and mechanical reinforcement to mitered corners in frames, small boxes, and large cases. The trouble with a basic miter joint is that it’s more beautiful than brawny. On its own, an end grain-to-end grain glue joint is inherently weak.

How do I make my miter joints stronger?

Improve your chances of making a strong mitered joint with woodworking glue by generously brushing glue sizing—one part glue mixed with three parts water—onto the joint faces to seal them. After the sizing dries, glue the joint, as usual. Epoxy works well for gluing mitered joints and doesn’t require sizing.

How do I strengthen my Mitre joints?

Splines add face-grain gluing surfaces as well as mechanical reinforcement to strengthen a mitered joint. Outside splines serve as decorative elements, too, especially if you use a contrasting wood species. The grain for inside or outside splines must run across the joint for maximum strength.

Are spline joints strong?

It’s an inherently weak joint because you’re gluing end grain to end grain. In addition to providing mechanical strength, a spline offers mating face-grain-to-face-grain contact, which gives glue something to hold onto.

Why do you need a corner spline jig?

The corner splines I often see people use on decorative boxes and picture frames aren’t just decorative. They actually make the mitered joint much stronger! I knew then and there that I had to start by making a spline jig for my table saw. Watch the step-by-step video, or read on!

How to make a spline jig for picture frames and boxes?

This spline jig is a real simple and easy to make jig that rides along your table saw fence and allows you to cut splines in picture frames and boxes. Just using glue on mitered corners may seem good enough but over time as the width of the wood expands and contracts with the seasons the joints will eventually break.

How to make a simple table saw spline jig?

Make a Simple Spline Jig 1 Make a Box for Your Fence. The jig starts by making a box that will slide snugly on your table saw’s fence. 2 Make It Bigger. Since I will be using this jig mostly for picture frame splines, I wanted the face of my jig to be large enough to accommodate 3 Add the 45 Degree Supports. 4 Using the Jig.

How do you use the spline jig on a miter?

To use the jig, make a mark on the bottom of the corner receiving the spline to indicate the depth of the kerf. Place the project in the cradle, and raise the blade so its highest tooth just touches that mark, as shown in the photo. Slide the jig back from the blade and reposition the rip fence to cut the kerf for the spline.