Just did this today. I was looking at another video about making a jig, but saw yours and did that instead. Saved me a bunch of time and trouble, and worked perfectly!
Professional cabinet maker here where saving time means higher margins/take home. Don’t do a lot of splines so this saved me at least an hour if not more by bypassing the building and testing of a jig. You are a Rockstar!
Brilliant video, I was just about to do some splines on a box I made, something I don't normally do, and I was going to make a jig but now I'll do it your way. Thanks!
This works great. I saw this a year ago I think. Have used it on several projects. I like to clamp something like a 1/4" piece of plywood as the stop block (actually I have a 6 inch by 4 inch by 1/8 inch piece of white oak scrap which allows room for two clamps so is really solid). For tall tippy things like frames, I like a feather board to hold the bottom tight to the fence and a tall fence I can hold the frame against by hand, to keep it from tipping going in or coming out making sloppy slot. The idea in this video has been super helpful for me.
Just made 3 picture frames using this technique. This and the spline cutting videos are fantastic. Keep up the great work . . . you're a gifted teacher and yours is one of my go-to channels for instruction!
I really like using the saw without needing to keep up with another dedicated jig. I'm running out of space. Your videos are straightforward and comprehensive.
Brilliant. You made me realize that the little void due to the curvature of the blade within the spline is hidden and actually doesn't matter that much.
You should look at testing strengths of joints. Glued Miters were stronger than dove tails, pocket hole screws and box joints. Stop block clamped to fence would be better
Jodi I used your trick to make picture frames for my family over Christmas and it saved me so much time not having to construct a jig that’ll only take up space in my basement. This video just showed back up in my news feed, so I thought I’d share that. Had to watch again!
simple jig requires two parts: one that rides against the fence, and a block that sits at 45deg to brace your work. With genuine respect to this awesome content creator, a jig takes less time to make than this video.
Genius is really about doing a more or less complicated operation in a simple way; not just coming up with a jig to do the job. Very intelligent method. 👍🏻
Don’t know how I missed this vid a year ago - another winner, brilliant in its simplicity and opens up more opportunities for weekenders like me 👍 -Oh, and I hope your left hand found gainful employment after this!
It works! I just used your idea to put splines in a picture frame measuring over 3.5 x 4+ feet. I did build a jig for the spline slot cutting so it was your layout and saw positioning explanation that that helped me.
Literally just built a spline jig yesterday 🤦 lol. Like most of the others have said...your videos contain a lot of nifty (why didn’t I think of that) solutions to be a better woodworker. Thanks! :)
Thanks for this, I have been putting off building a jig and now I know why. great tip. wish I could send a photo of how mine came out. Thanks again for a great and helpful tip.
Thanks! This video saved me a lot of time and hassle. Setup took me about five minutes and the plus is I will never have to build a jig to cut external splines in mitered joinery. I also used your internal spline along with your external spline you show on this video on my present project. I subbed.
I was just setting up to cut splines in a picture frame. The way I was setting up the cut didn't feel very safe, so I searched UA-cam for "cutting a spline freehand." This was nearly the first video that came up. Holy crap, was it useful. I just did this and it worked perfectly. Took about 30 seconds to set up and just do. Thanks!
I’ve been woodworking for over 50 years. I’m by no means an expert but consider myself pretty good at what I do. Ive watched hundreds if not thousands of UA-cam videos and I have to say that you are in my top 5 woodworking video channels that I enjoy watching each time you post something new. I like you clear description on how to do things and appreciate very much very much you sharing with this channel. Thanks so much. T
Awesome! So far it's the one tip I liked the most! Fast and precise, no jigs, no muss no fuss! But actually, I'm gonna be working with hexagonal pieces! Will that work too? Thank you so much for the video! 😉👍🏻
This is a fantastic bit of information. I am near the point on a project where I'll be adding splines. There will be 48 in total so I may still build the jig. Maybe not; as I think about it, the fence would only have to be set 3 times so this may work just fine. Using various sized splines would make it a little trickier I guess?
Your simple way of making a spline cut just saved me from making a jig, literally! I was going to make one this week. Thanks again for your great ideas!
This is such a helpful video, combined with your one on spline cutting were just what I needed, no nonsense plane and easy to follow, no jigs, and messing around, I've just made 4 different sized picture frames, with accurately cut splines and cuts for them to go into Many thanks and kind regards Rob 🇳🇿
Thank you! Times 5 😅. Quick, Easy, Safe, Comprehensive, and will not only add strength but also give the look I’m trying to achieve. All without a jig!! Can hardly believe it. This is definitely why I’ve subscribed.
What a great idea. Much easier than building a spline groove cutting jig. Going to give this a try on my first ever spline box. I also like using walnut dowels on my non mitered boxes.
Tried your method on my first box using splines and it worked out great. Being educated in engineering I naturally had to use my drafting board and drew everything out to actual size and figured what my blade height would have to be for my particular situation. Plan to make computations for different blade diameters and wood thickness and then I can just look up the needed blade height, Also sprang for a nice 10 inch Freud flat grind rip blade and I really like the quality for only 50 dollars. Thanks again for the video.
I really appreciate your instructions. You are a consummate woodworking instructor. Thanks for looking beyond the obvious and arriving at a new way to perform a task.
Brilliant, thank you! I was proud of myself several years ago making a really nice spline jig. Of course it was for the 90 degree angles of a common rectangular box. Today I started making a hexagonal box which will require splines at the 60 degree corners. Oh no, what to do? Well, six minutes of you video solved my problem. Pretty sure I can use your method on my project. I have worked with wood since 1952 and have never seen this simple technique. Bill
YES!!!! Thank you for this! I am having to add splines in a project for strength of which I had not intended to do so originally and the thought of building a jig caused me to lose motivation as I want to be done with this particular project. Thank you Thank you THANK YOU!!
very clever as usual! I like that the blade leaves a concave bottom in the slot, which lets the outside corners of the spline make contact and leave no gaps. The concave also leaves space for the glue to help drive in the spine all the way.
👍 Thank you. Great tip. Just thinking about the geometry. Since these joints form a 90 deg, doesn't it make sense, that the sweet spot on the blade is at the 45 deg point as viewed from the side. The 45 should match out the midpoint of the spline at the box. You adjust the blade height to get to the midpoint of the spline. Make sense? You could mark your blade 90 (top), 0 (horiz, below the table) and 45 degrees.
Thanks for the vid. I normally use a jig for putting splines in my smaller builds but this approach is great for larger pieces that aren't well suited to balancing on a jig at 45degrees
Perfect timing. I'm getting ready to make the hexagonal wine bottle holder that Woodworking Source showed. And I've never done a spline before. Easy enough, but practice makes perfect. So now I can try it out on some scrap wood to get comfortable. Between this video and the "perfect shim/kerf" video, Bob's Your Uncle!!! Thanks again.
Getting ready to make my first splines on a box. Was looking for how I wanted to do this. Was ready to make a spline jig, now I am rethinking if that is needed. Tanks for the insights.
Thanks you!! Your videos have created a lot of “so that’s why” moments for me. I like your unique spin on some basic techniques and the way you simplify your explanation that makes it easy for a beginner woodworker like me to understand. Thank you so much and look forward to more videos.
Jodie you won't go wrong with either of the cheaper blades, the Freud and CMT are both very good blades. I use them both (at 84 I have to watch my outflow closely so the Forrest is out for me). I prefer the CMT.
This is so brilliant and simple! Exactly the kind of innovation that a creative woodworking brain just lives for. Also, for some reason I find the word “spline” inherently funny, so I definitely got a huge kick out of hearing your say it over and over!
Outstanding technique. I really appreciate the "no-measurement" videos. I have experimented and I seem to be more precise using those techniques than the more conventional ones. This is probably due to my "casual woodworking skills" but regardless, getting the job done is what ultimately matters. Thank you!
Thanks! Just what i was hoping for, accurate spline cuts without having to make a jig. I probably will one day when there’s more time. Liked and subscribed!
You never stop amazing me with your ideas - it is really "Inspiring" !! BTW, I haven't seen any latest videos from you of late. I hope you are doing alright. Take care .....
Thank you so much for posting this alternative approach to adding splines to miter joints! Just goes to show that there is always more than one way to get the desired outcome in woodworking.
Well, this is a timely video! I just happen to have a spline jig in my shopping basket at Rockler I was going to purchase, so you just saved me $50.00! I don't know why I didn't think of this myself it's so easy and an obvious solution. I feel pretty dumb right now, lol. Thank you for sharing your ideas with us!!
Hey Jamie! I really enjoy your ability to break down the instruction of your projects into easy to understand methods. By the way. I bought those pencils that you use,..great suggestion!
This is probably the most useful splined miter joint video on the internet.
Just did this today. I was looking at another video about making a jig, but saw yours and did that instead. Saved me a bunch of time and trouble, and worked perfectly!
The smartest thing i've ever watched without a jig. hahaha, took me all day to make one.
Professional cabinet maker here where saving time means higher margins/take home. Don’t do a lot of splines so this saved me at least an hour if not more by bypassing the building and testing of a jig. You are a Rockstar!
I like this approach because it still has maximum side contact and yet has a slight depression for excess glue.
Are you referring to the deplete portion of the cut? As the blade is rounded it’s just slightly deeper in the middle? Just wanting to understand.
@@Eric-469 🙂yes sir
@@mightyporkygotcha. Thanks !!!
Super simple way to make spline joints, thank you sir!
One of the most useful woodworking videos I’ve ever seen. Thank you!
The two videos that I watched of yours show your cleverness for solving a problem.Thank you.
Really enjoying your practical approach to solutions in the shop.
Brilliant video, I was just about to do some splines on a box I made, something I don't normally do, and I was going to make a jig but now I'll do it your way. Thanks!
This works great. I saw this a year ago I think. Have used it on several projects. I like to clamp something like a 1/4" piece of plywood as the stop block (actually I have a 6 inch by 4 inch by 1/8 inch piece of white oak scrap which allows room for two clamps so is really solid). For tall tippy things like frames, I like a feather board to hold the bottom tight to the fence and a tall fence I can hold the frame against by hand, to keep it from tipping going in or coming out making sloppy slot.
The idea in this video has been super helpful for me.
Just made 3 picture frames using this technique. This and the spline cutting videos are fantastic. Keep up the great work . . . you're a gifted teacher and yours is one of my go-to channels for instruction!
I really like using the saw without needing to keep up with another dedicated jig. I'm running out of space. Your videos are straightforward and comprehensive.
Brilliant. You made me realize that the little void due to the curvature of the blade within the spline is hidden and actually doesn't matter that much.
You should look at testing strengths of joints. Glued Miters were stronger than dove tails, pocket hole screws and box joints. Stop block clamped to fence would be better
Jodi I used your trick to make picture frames for my family over Christmas and it saved me so much time not having to construct a jig that’ll only take up space in my basement. This video just showed back up in my news feed, so I thought I’d share that. Had to watch again!
simple jig requires two parts: one that rides against the fence, and a block that sits at 45deg to brace your work. With genuine respect to this awesome content creator, a jig takes less time to make than this video.
Genius is really about doing a more or less complicated operation in a simple way; not just coming up with a jig to do the job. Very intelligent method. 👍🏻
Don’t know how I missed this vid a year ago - another winner, brilliant in its simplicity and opens up more opportunities for weekenders like me 👍 -Oh, and I hope your left hand found gainful employment after this!
It works! I just used your idea to put splines in a picture frame measuring over 3.5 x 4+ feet. I did build a jig for the spline slot cutting so it was your layout and saw positioning explanation that that helped me.
Literally just built a spline jig yesterday 🤦 lol.
Like most of the others have said...your videos contain a lot of nifty (why didn’t I think of that) solutions to be a better woodworker.
Thanks!
:)
Thanks for this, I have been putting off building a jig and now I know why. great tip. wish I could send a photo of how mine came out. Thanks again for a great and helpful tip.
This is a highly underrated video, thank you for sharing this!
Best woodworking channel
Thanks! This video saved me a lot of time and hassle. Setup took me about five minutes and the plus is I will never have to build a jig to cut external splines in mitered joinery. I also used your internal spline along with your external spline you show on this video on my present project. I subbed.
I was just setting up to cut splines in a picture frame. The way I was setting up the cut didn't feel very safe, so I searched UA-cam for "cutting a spline freehand." This was nearly the first video that came up. Holy crap, was it useful. I just did this and it worked perfectly. Took about 30 seconds to set up and just do.
Thanks!
Genius Sir! Love this! Thank you!
Just about to make a outside frame gonna do this great idea
I’ve been woodworking for over 50 years. I’m by no means an expert but consider myself pretty good at what I do. Ive watched hundreds if not thousands of UA-cam videos and I have to say that you are in my top 5 woodworking video channels that I enjoy watching each time you post something new. I like you clear description on how to do things and appreciate very much very much you sharing with this channel. Thanks so much.
T
O U T S T A N D I N G !!!
Well done, simple and easy to do.
I had to try it right away, perfect 👌
Will
USN Ret.
You have a great manner and clarity and you do inspire me to give it a go!
Awesome! So far it's the one tip I liked the most! Fast and precise, no jigs, no muss no fuss! But actually, I'm gonna be working with hexagonal pieces! Will that work too? Thank you so much for the video! 😉👍🏻
This is a fantastic bit of information. I am near the point on a project where I'll be adding splines. There will be 48 in total so I may still build the jig. Maybe not; as I think about it, the fence would only have to be set 3 times so this may work just fine. Using various sized splines would make it a little trickier I guess?
This is the exact method I also came up with when I needed to do these. Works great!
Your simple way of making a spline cut just saved me from making a jig, literally! I was going to make one this week. Thanks again for your great ideas!
This is such a helpful video, combined with your one on spline cutting were just what I needed, no nonsense plane and easy to follow, no jigs, and messing around, I've just made 4 different sized picture frames, with accurately cut splines and cuts for them to go into
Many thanks and kind regards
Rob 🇳🇿
Genius. I've been avoiding certain projects because I didn't want to deal with making a spline jig. Thanks!
This is WAY better than all those fancy jigs everyone else makes. Good job! Subbed 👍
Thank you for this... I was really stumbling over building the jig.
I knew there was a way, I just hadn't taken the time to figure it out. now I don't have to!! thanks jody! you are quite the teacher!!
I hate building redundant jigs. This is a good idea. Thanks for the tip
Thank you! Times 5 😅.
Quick, Easy, Safe, Comprehensive, and will not only add strength but also give the look I’m trying to achieve. All without a jig!! Can hardly believe it. This is definitely why I’ve subscribed.
Best video. Thanks. I’m making boxes tomorrow and now I don’t need a jig!
And this is how a smart person think! Thanks
What a great idea. Much easier than building a spline groove cutting jig. Going to give this a try on my first ever spline box. I also like using walnut dowels on my non mitered boxes.
Tried your method on my first box using splines and it worked out great. Being educated in engineering I naturally had to use my drafting board and drew everything out to actual size and figured what my blade height would have to be for my particular situation. Plan to make computations for different blade diameters and wood thickness and then I can just look up the needed blade height, Also sprang for a nice 10 inch Freud flat grind rip blade and I really like the quality for only 50 dollars. Thanks again for the video.
As a novice woodworker brilliant , I’m a new subscriber to your channel .
This looks like such a simple way to make splines. Just what a new woodworker like myself needs. Thank you.
I really appreciate your instructions. You are a consummate woodworking instructor. Thanks for looking beyond the obvious and arriving at a new way to perform a task.
One of the best videos I have watched!! Thank you and keep ut the great work,
You have saved me a days work making a jig. Thanks.
I’ve been looking at spline jigs for picture frames I’m making but I can’t believe how easy this is! You saved me a bunch of unnecessary work!
I mused to use "V Nails " but this is far stronger for picture frames
You have seriously saved me hours making a spline jig, love your work fella!!
Brilliant, thank you! I was proud of myself several years ago making a really nice spline jig. Of course it was for the 90 degree angles of a common rectangular box. Today I started making a hexagonal box which will require splines at the 60 degree corners. Oh no, what to do? Well, six minutes of you video solved my problem. Pretty sure I can use your method on my project. I have worked with wood since 1952 and have never seen this simple technique.
Bill
YES!!!! Thank you for this! I am having to add splines in a project for strength of which I had not intended to do so originally and the thought of building a jig caused me to lose motivation as I want to be done with this particular project.
Thank you
Thank you
THANK YOU!!
very clever as usual! I like that the blade leaves a concave bottom in the slot, which lets the outside corners of the spline make contact and leave no gaps. The concave also leaves space for the glue to help drive in the spine all the way.
Wonderful! I didn't want to build yet another jig. This is perfect.
Great information from someone that can explain it clearly! Thank you!!
👍 Thank you. Great tip. Just thinking about the geometry. Since these joints form a 90 deg, doesn't it make sense, that the sweet spot on the blade is at the 45 deg point as viewed from the side. The 45 should match out the midpoint of the spline at the box. You adjust the blade height to get to the midpoint of the spline. Make sense? You could mark your blade 90 (top), 0 (horiz, below the table) and 45 degrees.
This is great for a quick and easy project. Thanks.
Thanks for your brilliant notion. Such a great tip.
This is exactly what I've been looking for all evening haha. Thanks dude!
Nice tip! Just your eyes, measurements, stop block and that's it! Thanks for sharing
Thank you so much for sharing it with us! I watched all your videos - about how to cut splines, half lap joint and you got new subscriber here.
Thanks for the vid. I normally use a jig for putting splines in my smaller builds but this approach is great for larger pieces that aren't well suited to balancing on a jig at 45degrees
Thank you for the tip. This just saved me from buying a biscuit joiner.
Each one pf your video teaches me something new. Thanks for sharing!
Very nice & simple. Beautiful splines made easy.. Every video I've seen has good practical useful info, even for a novice like me. Thank you.
Excellent technique as always
Awesome no nonsense guide!
Perfect timing. I'm getting ready to make the hexagonal wine bottle holder that Woodworking Source showed. And I've never done a spline before. Easy enough, but practice makes perfect. So now I can try it out on some scrap wood to get comfortable. Between this video and the "perfect shim/kerf" video, Bob's Your Uncle!!! Thanks again.
"Bob's your uncle" makes me smile every time I hear it. I want to use it too but of course I'm not Canadian. 😂
Getting ready to make my first splines on a box. Was looking for how I wanted to do this. Was ready to make a spline jig, now I am rethinking if that is needed. Tanks for the insights.
Great simple idea of cutting the miters without a jig! Thanks!
Thanks you!! Your videos have created a lot of “so that’s why” moments for me. I like your unique spin on some basic techniques and the way you simplify your explanation that makes it easy for a beginner woodworker like me to understand. Thank you so much and look forward to more videos.
That sir is a very clever way of cutting splines. I have learnt another gem of knowledge from you. Thank you 👍😎🇦🇺
That is a fantastic tip! Thank you so much, and keep up the great work on your videos.
WOW what a great method. Thanks for showing it. I will have to check out more of your channel!!
Another brilliant method, you are ace at making complex joints easier!
Very clever. I have a jig I made early this year, but this is so simple. I will try it next time I need a spline.
So simple. I seriously should've thought of this myself! Good tip
Jodie you won't go wrong with either of the cheaper blades, the Freud and CMT are both very good blades. I use them both (at 84 I have to watch my outflow closely so the Forrest is out for me). I prefer the CMT.
You're definitely a thinker, young man. This was very good. I never even considered your method, because how could it possibly work! :-)
Nice! I already knew this method and it's a great trick. I just didn't understand the need of the step described from 2:30 to 3:15.
This actually works. Thanks for the awesome tip, saved me a lot of time.
it's very important to me that so easy to understand thanks
This is so brilliant and simple! Exactly the kind of innovation that a creative woodworking brain just lives for. Also, for some reason I find the word “spline” inherently funny, so I definitely got a huge kick out of hearing your say it over and over!
jigs are nice and all, but... This is perfect for what I am working on. cheers!
Great jig what a great diy keep up the great work
Love it man! Thanks a bunch, I made my first splines after watching your video. I really like how you don’t need to make a jig.
I have a large chest that’s mitered. Was just going to build a jig. You saved the day !
Brilliant!!!! I have procrastinated trying these because making the jig is another whole project in itself. Love this idea! Can't wait to try it
Needed to get a project done quick and did not have time to make a jig, This came through big time.
Mega clever dude! I'm seriously gonna start writing all these tricks in my shop notebook.
Great video! This deserves more views!
You're saving me time thank you
Outstanding technique. I really appreciate the "no-measurement" videos. I have experimented and I seem to be more precise using those techniques than the more conventional ones. This is probably due to my "casual woodworking skills" but regardless, getting the job done is what ultimately matters. Thank you!
Thanks! Just what i was hoping for, accurate spline cuts without having to make a jig. I probably will one day when there’s more time. Liked and subscribed!
You never stop amazing me with your ideas - it is really "Inspiring" !!
BTW, I haven't seen any latest videos from you of late. I hope you are doing alright.
Take care .....
Nice one, that's so simple! I can't believe I've never seen anyone else do it.
Great video! Great channel!
I added splines to dress up a fancy cutting board a couple days ago. Worked perfectly!
Thank you so much for posting this alternative approach to adding splines to miter joints! Just goes to show that there is always more than one way to get the desired outcome in woodworking.
Just used this and it worked beautifully!
Well, this is a timely video! I just happen to have a spline jig in my shopping basket at Rockler I was going to purchase, so you just saved me $50.00! I don't know why I didn't think of this myself it's so easy and an obvious solution. I feel pretty dumb right now, lol. Thank you for sharing your ideas with us!!
Hey Jamie! I really enjoy your ability to break down the instruction of your projects into easy to understand methods. By the way. I bought those pencils that you use,..great suggestion!