Woodworking Tips | Slot Cutter vs. Plate Joiner

Woodworking Tips . Slot Cutter vs. Plate Joiner

I saw an ad for a slot-cutting router bit. I have a router and buying the bit instead of a plate joiner would save me a lotof money. Is there a downside to this cheaper option?



It depends on what kind of joints you plan to make.A slot cutter does a good job with flat edge-to-edge or
end-to-end joints (Photos 1, 2 and 3). Other joints can present some problems:
-- A butt-corner joint (Photo 4) can be made, but requires the extra step of clamping a support board to the piece with the face slot. This gives your router a broader surface to rest on.
-- On a tee-butt joint (Photo 5) you can rout the end slot but it is impossible to cut the face slot in the other board.
-- A corner miter (Photo 6) is best handled using the slot cutter in the router table with an angled jig to
hold the work. If your pieces are very big this can get quite cumbersome.
-- A plate joiner (photo at right), on the other hand, will make all of these joints with ease. It also has built-in
dust collection

Woodworking Tips

1 Edge-to-edge joint
Slot cutter: Yes
Plate joiner: Yes

2 .Flat-tee joint.
Slot cutter: Yes
Plate joiner: Yes

3. Flat-end miter
Slot cutter: Yes
Plate joiner: Yes

 4. Butt corner joint
Slot cutter: Yes, but difficult

Plate joiner: Yes

5. Tee-butt joint
Slot cutter: Not possible
Plate joiner: Yes

6. Corner miter
Slot cutter: Yes, but difficult
Plate joiner: Yes

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