Table Clips with the 2-Step Router Bit

Attaching a top to the apron of a table requires that the top can move with seasonal changes in humidity and temperature, and MicroJig’s 2-Step Router Bit gives you a couple of different ways to address this. Grooves cut along the inside of the apron accept slotted table clips or stretchers that will hold the top while allowing for movement. Screws through the counter-bored slot made with the 2-Step Bit keep the top tight to the apron and prevents splitting the top.

Cut the tenons to start making the clips. Set the blade to 1/4” (6mm) high with the LEFT side of the blade at 1/4" (6mm) away from the rip fence. Nibble away at both sides of the 3/4" (19mm) stock on both ends to finish the tenons. It is perfectly safe to use the fence and miter gauge together here because the blade is not cutting through. Start with stock at least 3” (75mm) long and 10” (250mm) long to make multiple clips. Rip this board into 1-1/4” (32mm) wide strips. The extra length makes it safer to hold the parts when routing the slot as you will see.

Mount the 2-Step bit into your router table and set the speed for 12,000 rpm. The height is adjusted to the set line on the bit which is 1-1/8” (28.5mm) to the tip, and the fence is set to half the width of the blank. The FitFinder 1/2 Gauge is excellent for setting the fence to the middle. I recommend adding a stop block to the outfeed fence to limit the length of the slot cut, but I left it off for these photos.

Start the router and slide the end of the stock straight into the bit. Cut the slot 3/4" (19mm) to 1” (25mm) long. Prevent burning by pushing the blank firmly along the fence then withdrawing it quickly once the cut is done. This bit is perfectly capable of making this cut in a one pass, no need to make multiple depth cuts. When routing small parts, it is safer to mill them as a long part before cutting them to length.

Crosscut the table clips at 1-1/2” (38mm) long to remove them from the longer board. The MicroJig Dado Stop makes an excellent crosscut stop so the parts can’t be trapped between the blade and rip fence. This setup made 4 clips from the 3” (75mm) by 10” (250mm) stock, but the leftover can be milled the same way to make at least 4 more if needed.