Help w/ Freud Drawer Lock Bit....

[Edward Garrett]

I am making some pull-out shelves/drawers on a cabinet using 3/4" (11/16") plywood for the drwer face and sides....after 40 minutes of test-cutting, I still have not gottent the front and side pieces to line-up correctly and "lock" together.

Can anyobody give me some hints/advice on how to correctly line-up the Freud drawer lock bit??

Many, many thanks in advance....

[glenn bradley]

Just as with other interlocking joint bits; higher = tighter, lower = looser. Once you have that magic fit, run the bit down the edge of a piece of hardwood and save it as a setup block. This will speed you along next time. On 1/2 material, which is where I use this bit the most. I leave 1/8" tongue on the "fronts" and adjust for that on the "sides".

These sites should get you there.

http://www.cheyennesales.com/catalog/cmtdlock.htm

http://www.woodshopdemos.com/cmtdrw1.htm

http://www.jesada.com/instructions/drawer_lock.html

P.s. To avoid tearout I score the line where tearout may occur. I also use oversized pieces and then rip to width eliminating any ugly exit wounds.