The Woodworker & Woodturner – September 2019

http://www.getwoodworking.com September 2019 The Woodworker & Good Woodworking 75

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TREND APERTURE & RADIUS JIG

USEFUL KIT/PRODUCT

If you need a jig specifically for routing apertures
or adding curved corners to worktops, this product
from Trend will do the job extremely well. Made
from 12mm thick high pressure laminate (phenolic
resin), it measures approximately 1,000 ×
390mm. It’s certainly substantial, weighing 4.6kg.
With one straight slot, maximum routing
capacity here is about 840mm, more than enough
for most standard width worktops, which tend
to be around 610mm deep on common kitchen
units. Anything wider than this and you simply
fit a guide clamp across the surface and run the
router against that.
The bulk of the jig consists mainly of slots for
radiused corners, consisting of 40, 60, 80, 100,
150 and 250mm radii. There’s also a 90° corner
slot (for apertures), plus 50, 100 and 200mm

radius outer curves only. Each curve is engraved

with its size, though on one side of the jig only.

There’s also a pair of circular cut-outs (35

and 26mm diameter) for routing holes in doors

or carcass sides to suit standard cupboard hinges.

Lastly, a 45° straight corner is included. Each slot

has an etched sight line at either end (at 90° to

each other), to help align the jig with pencil marks

on the worktop. These allow for the offset created

when using a guide bush and bit together. Sight

lines appear on both sides of the jig and are used

mainly for internal radii.

Locating pins

What makes most worktop jigs like this reliable

are the tapered locating pins. Four are provided

and fit through any of the 16 holes around the

template. You push a pair of pins through the

appropriate holes for your selected slot (external

radii only). This enables you to locate the jig

against the relevant edge of the worktop, the

pins acting as stops. Holes are recessed, so

the pin heads will sit flat with the jig, meaning

there’s nothing to obstruct the router base

moving across the surface.

Line up the marks, cramp the jig and you’re

ready to rout. It’s essential the jig is cramped

securely, as a big router and guide bush could

knock everything out of kilter, resulting in the

cutter taking an unwanted step in the timber

or laminate. As the jig sits across the worktop

at 45° for most corners, I found it important

to check positioning with a mitre or set square

before cramping.

In use

Make a series of plunge cuts down through

the worktop (no more than 10mm depth at

a time) and allow the cutter to stop before

removing the router. For sink or hob apertures

you rout the corners first. Once cut all the way

through, corner slots are joined by routing straight

grooves between them. The process does take

far longer than simply sawing an aperture with

a jigsaw, but results should be pretty good.

With a couple of curved units in my new

kitchen, the jig’s 250mm radius was a pretty

close match. Together with a new cutter it gave

a really clean curve to both oak worktops, with

very little sanding required.

Conclusion

It may be pricey, but this is an excellent jig for

routing consistent curves and apertures. To avoid

creating stepped cuts in the edge, always ensure

you check with a mitre square when cramping

at 45°, though.

You push a pair of pins through the appropriate
holes for your selected slot (external radii only)

It’s essential the jig is cramped securely, as a big

router and guide bush could knock everything out

of kilter

Make a series of plunge cuts down through the

worktop and allow the cutter to stop before

removing the router

With a couple of curved units in my new kitchen,

the jig’s 250mm radius was a pretty close match

SPECIFICATION

Corner angle: 90°

Slot length: 830mm

Radius curves: 40, 60, 80, 100, 150 & 250mm

External radius: 50, 100 & 200mm

End cut: 45°

Kitchen hinge recess: 26 & 35mm

Length: 1,000mm

Thickness: 12mm

Width: 390mm

Weight: 4.6kg

Typical price: £123.60

Web: http://www.trend-uk.com

THE VERDICT

PROS

(^) Reliable, consistently accurate curves
CONS
(^) Routing an aperture can take ages
RATING: 4.5 out of 5