Kerfmaker

Bought a Kerfmaker KM-1 from Bridge City Tool Works after learning about it from the Wreck. It does everything its maker says it will do. I was able to make the best half lap joints I ever did.

I guess this falls into the catagory of the old cliche of building a better mouse trap.

Joe G

Reply to
GROVER
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Now if they'd only make a BIGGER one (rat trap?).

Reply to
keithw86

It can be used with wider stock and/or kerf if you use a piece of the crosspiece stock along with the KM-1 - alternatively, there's a how-to for making a quick and dirty (but equally accurate) lap joint jig at

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by Bridge City KM-1 tool.)

Reply to
Morris Dovey

IN addition to a wider kerf (3/4" would be nice), I'd like the business surfaces to be larger so I could use 3/4" blocks.

Reply to
krw

Do you have one? How wide of a dado do you want to make?

Reply to
Leon

Yes, but haven't used it other than to play.

3/4" would be nice. 23/32" is a popular size. ;-)

Like I said, allowing 3/4" stop blocks would make it easier to use too.

Reply to
krw

If you are using this on a TS and use a stacked dado set simply using a stacked set up to 1/2" you can cut a 3/4" dado easily with the minimum of 2 passes. Technically you should be making a minimum of 2 passes anyway.

I am a bit confused about wanting a 3/4 block? What would that be for?

Reply to
Leon

Sure, the KM-1 sets up the two passes. My stacked dado goes well over

3/4" (limited by the arbor, actually).

The KM-1 stop block. 1x material is too thick for the stop block. A

1x doesn't fit in the notch under the gold piece (don't remember the surface IDs).

BTW, the stop block clamped to the fence rail works great.

Reply to
krw

Unfortunately the Kerf Maker is only designed however to work with "up to" a

1/2" kerf. But that should basically get up up to ~1" with only 2 passes.

Oh, you are talking about the short step that has to be used for the 2 cut positions. Normal stock you have around the shop would be too thick. Yeah, that could be a bit taller than 3/4" but that would make the jig larger and in turn easier to find when misplaced and in turn fewer "replacement of lost jig" sales. :~) I always have a lot of scrap 1/2" Baltic Birch so that is not a bid deal for me. In fact my Kreg miter gauge stop works well as is, instead of flipping the kerf maker 180 degrees I go 90 degrees so that the longer end is up.

Reply to
Leon

Yes, I did read that part before I bought it, too. ;-) In reality, for most uses 1/2" (w/two passes) is enough. I'd still like it to be a bit (~50%) larger.

I suppose a larger device would cost more to produce but it's not like these things were given away as show trinkets.

Where I always have scraps of 1x and 3/4" ply laying around.

Reply to
krw

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