WOOD Magazine – October 01, 2019

56 WOOD magazine October 2019

Customize half-laps for a variety of looks

without sacrificing strength. For example,

make one pair of frame pieces slightly

thicker to create a frame where the rails or

stiles stand proud of the mating pieces [Photo

M]. Or cut dadoes, rather than rabbets, to

create a frame with rails and stiles extend-

ing past the mating pieces [Photos N, O].

Move the stopblock back from the blade. Cut one shoulder with the workpiece

butted against the stopblock. Make additional cuts to remove the waste until the

piece butts against the rip fence.

To cut and align dadoes, clamp to the fence a stopblock the width of the

workpiece less the width of the blade. The gap between the blade and stopblock

determines the length of the “ears.”

Thicker stiles (or rails) keep

the back faces of the frame

pieces flush so you can rout a rabbet

for the photo or artwork.

N

O

Ears

M