I've done that style directly on the router table with straight bits, though
this would speed things up and ease the setup (one less pass). I'm especially
wondering if anybody's compared these to the (slightly different style) drawer
lock bits that Veritas sells (slightly cheaper).

Not sure why this would line up any more square than other methods, but it is
a convenient and strong approach for drawers. Best I've seen for assembly,
though, was two dozen drawers I made with sliding dovetails. The dry fit was
so good I just squirted in some thin "chair lock" glue instead of bothering to
take them apart, and not having to clamp that many drawers was real nice, and
in this case the joint forces it square. (You could say a drawer lock does
too, but not without clamps, and the same could then be said about many other
joints.)

Anyhow, while fine for drawers, I don't think I'd recommend this for general
use. For some cases, yes, but you'd have to closely look at the expected
stress. And of course this bit has its counterpart in the lock miter bit. Also
interesting that Infinity has one that handles 1-1/8. Thanks for mentioning
them.

(The above are comments on a well presented tool report, opinions and
alternatives, and do not constitute criticism, per se.)
GerryG

On Mon, 28 Feb 2005 04:02:43 GMT, "Edwin Pawlowski" wrote:

I was debating whether or not to invest $40 for a drawer locking router bit.
I decided to take the plunge and see if it really does do a good job, so I
ordered on from Infinity Tools on Thursday. It was in the mailbox on
Saturday. FWIW, Infinity gives a $3 discount for web orders.

The instructions are simple on how to do the setup. For some reason though,
it took a few tries for me to get the fence set properly to do drawer sides.
I finally took a break, looked at the picture and DUH, it was really that
simple.

I cut 20 pieces of wood. Four to house the drawers, then 8 deep and 8
shallow for the two sizes of drawers I'm going to make. I did all of the
fronts and back, then the two sized of the cabinet. Moved the fence and did
the rest of them. It was quick and easy. Best part though, was assembly.
The drawers lined up square. It is, by far, the most accurate setup for
drawers I've ever done.

Only thing I'd do different is to leave the shallow drawer parts wider to
make it easier to push through against the fence. Rip them to size later.
Though called a drawer locking bit, it can be used most any time you want to
join wood at right angles.