making pen boxes - how?

[Frank Fusco]

I have been wanting to make some of my own pen boxes but am stumped as to how to make the groove. I have routers and a small shaper. Making a groove the full length of a piece of wood is no problem. But making that groove without running out the ends is what I can't figure out how to do. Have considered using the drill press but all ideas I have come up with require at least one more hand. Using a dado on the table saw presents it's own set of problems as well. Ideas SVP.<!-- Signature -->

[tod evans]

router table, corebox bit, stops.....02 tod

[Jim Hinze]

Ditto....

Core box bit is the way to go... router table with stops would be prefered (just do it in multiple cuts depth wise to avoid tearout & burning).

Alternatively, you could do it with a plunge router on a work surface... sandwhich it inbetween 2 like thicknessed pieces to provide support for the router, then have at it...

[Cliff Rohrabacher]

Yah use a router If no router try drilling a line of holes and use chisels

[Mark Patoka]

Using a jig would be easiest with a plunge router. Set up a dado type jig so it can't move sideways and can only go so far each direction.

[Gary Breckenridge]

Yes, use the router and stops. But do it just after you get the stock cut to length and width and run more than one. Tearout at this stage will ruin the box.:D