Pathfinder instructions - The WoodRat

emaining corners.
Box with a Box Lid
The usual method of cutting off the lid part of a box through a
large pin is impractical with the Pathfinder.
You can cut the wood first and make two boxes one for the box
and the other for the lid, but you must be sure to make each part
to the same overall dimensions.
Alternatively, you could make the cut through one of the tails
between the pins.
A variation on this is to use the full MB3 MitreBox and Mitre the
tails so that the lid and box can be fitted together by rebating/
rabetting the lid into the box.
Grooves for Bottoms and Lids
The RP3 router plate has the usual slot on the left-hand side so
that it can act as a normal router plate when doing non-pathfinder
work.
So, when grooving for the box bottom and lid, simply place one of
your Starknobs (from the WoodRat/LittleRat kit) in the M8 tapped
hole in the HalfPlate and screw the plate down where you need it.
Take out the Cheeks etc. Place the Brush, and feed each piece
through by hand.
Remember: feed on the up-cut if widening the groove.
When feeding small pieces, you’ll need the blue block placed
in the yellow dust chute to stop the workpiece pushing into the
cutter gap.
To make a stopped cut to avoid the groove showing on the outside
off the joint, set the brush down a little from the bit (for protection),
and carefully lift the workpiece up into the cutter at the beginning
of the slot. Feed the workpiece along under the plate cutting the
groove, and drop it when it reaches the end of the groove before
it breaks through the joint.
This takes a little practice, so try it on some scrap first.
Thicknessing the Bottoms
Having run the groove you can thickness the box bottom to fit
the groove by resetting the bit and running the bottom past the
cutter to rebate it, as for normal Woodrat practice.
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