I need to make rabbets about 1/16" deep by about 3/8" wide in a bunch of pieces of 1x3, likely poplar (to be decided by others). It's for a stage set and need only pass the "30 foot" test, meaning, it will look OK to the nearest audience member.

The 1x3s will be either 16" or 50" long. I have a 1/2" x 3/8" rabbeting bit. So which of these is the better way to do it, with the 1x3 laying on the table:

https://flic.kr/p/2o5V6FE

or "standing up" against the fence:

https://flic.kr/p/2o5V6FE

Thanks in advance.

Greg Guarino

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On Wed, 14 Dec 2022 12:35:42 -0800 (PST), Greg Guarino
<gdguarino@gmail.com> wrote:

I need to make rabbets about 1/16" deep by about 3/8" wide in a bunch of pieces of 1x3, likely poplar (to be decided by others). It's for a stage set and need only pass the "30 foot" test, meaning, it will look OK to the nearest audience member.

The 1x3s will be either 16" or 50" long. I have a 1/2" x 3/8" rabbeting bit. So which of these is the better way to do it, with the 1x3 laying on the table:

https://flic.kr/p/2o5V6FE

or "standing up" against the fence:

https://flic.kr/p/2o5V6FE

Thanks in advance.

Greg Guarino

I'd just use a straight bit and fence. You can cut the rabbit in
either orientation, whatever's easier.

A rabbiting bit is overkill. If you use the fence, too, you may have
troubles.

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On Wednesday, December 14, 2022 at 3:35:46 PM UTC-5, gdgu...@gmail.com wrote:

I need to make rabbets about 1/16" deep by about 3/8" wide

I'd do it standing up with a bearing guided bit set a 64th proud of your router table fence. If you do it flat and the boards are cupped a bit they could drop a bit as you near the end of the cut. I wouldn't personally use featherboards to me they just
create more fuss and waste time for this operation.
-JP

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