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A fitted base and sliding carriage let a plunge router rough a symmetrical hollow into a chair-seat blank. WOOD Magazine contributor Bob Hockema described the jig as a quicker alternative to roughing a seat entirely with an adze, scorp and curved-bottom plane, but the article reports no timed comparison or measured time savings. The approach is best understood as a way to guide rough shaping—not as a finished-seat shortcut.
How the seat-sculpting jig works
The jig constrains the router’s movement in two directions. Curved base rails shape the router’s path across the seat, while a sliding upper carriage lets the router move from side to side and then advance toward the next cut. The arrangement is intended to produce a consistent hollow across a centered seat blank.
Hockema’s WOOD Magazine how-to, published March 27, 2018, describes a plunge router fitted with guide pins made by passing two-inch machine screws through steel sleeves. The base, made from 3/4-inch MDF, fits around the seat blank. The carriage rails capture the router’s pins but allow them to slide; notches in the carriage bottom fit over the base rails while permitting front-to-back movement.
The rail curves are shaped for the particular build. The article describes curves that run from zero depth at the ends of the arcs to 3/4 inch at the middle, and cautions that shaping the rails and carriage may take trial and error. Treat those dimensions as details of this shop tip, not as a universal seat profile.
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#1 Best Overall
2-in-1 Router Jig for Slotting & Positioning, Heavy-Duty Aluminum Adjustable Bracket for Invisible Fasteners & Edge Grooving, Compatible with Most Routers (0-2 Inch Capacity)
- "【Bullet Point 1: Dual-Function Precision Router Jig】 Unlock professional-grade joinery and edge work with one versatile tool. This 2-in-1 woodworking trimmer slotting auxiliary positioning bracket functions as both a precise slotting jig for invisible fasteners and a stable positioning bracket for decorative grooving. Perfect for creating clean slots and dados in hardwood, plywood, and composites, elevating your cabinet and furniture projects."
- "【Bullet Point 2: Micro-Adjustable Clamp for Rock-Solid Stability】 Achieve flawless, repeatable accuracy on every cut. The jig features a precision micro-adjustable clamping mechanism with a 0-2 inch capacity, securely gripping material of any thickness. Combined with the heavy-duty, reinforced aluminum alloy base, it eliminates workpiece movement and vibration, ensuring razor-sharp, perfectly straight slots every time."
- "【Bullet Point 3: Industrial-Grade, Durable Construction】 Built for the demands of the workshop. Manufactured from aerospace-grade aluminum alloy and reinforced composites, this router guide is designed to withstand rigorous daily use. Its heavy-duty components maintain precise tolerances for long-term reliability, making it a professional-grade woodworking assistant that won't let you down."
- "【Bullet Point 4: Universal Router Compatibility & Secure Locking】 Transform your router into a dedicated slot-cutting machine. Designed with a 65mm inner diameter to accommodate most standard routers. The secure locking system firmly attaches your tool, eliminating any play or vibration during operation for consistent, smooth, and precise grooving and slotting results."
- "【Bullet Point 5: Essential Tool for Cabinet & Furniture Makers】 Optimized for the needs of serious woodworkers. This specialized cabinet maker's tool is ideal for furniture construction and cabinet installation, where exact joinery is critical. Its compact design offers easy shop-to-jobsite portability, providing workshop-level accuracy for tasks like invisible screw fastener installation and decorative edge detailing, all with one sturdy, adjustable router bracket."
Set up the router and workpiece
- Fit the router with guide pins. Use the machine screws and steel sleeves described in the article. If the router base does not have four tapped holes, the instructions suggest drilling and tapping them or making a subbase. Exact screw threads and sleeve dimensions are not specified.
- Make the base and carriage fit the seat. Cut the 3/4-inch MDF base around the seat blank and shape the curved rails and carriage to suit the intended hollow. Check that the guide pins stay captured and slide freely, and that the carriage can travel front to back over the base rails.
- Secure the setup. Clamp the base to the workbench and use double-faced tape to hold the centered blank, as the article describes.
- Install the specified bit. Hockema’s procedure uses a 1/2-inch straight bit. Verify that the bit shank matches your router’s collet and that the router and bit are compatible.
Route the hollow in repeated passes
- Set the bit for a cut of about 3/16 inch, the pass depth described in the 2018 article.
- Move the router side to side across the seat. After each pass, advance the upper carriage forward so the next pass overlaps or adjoins the previous cut across the work area.
- Continue across the seat. The article estimates about 30 passes to cover its seat; the actual number depends on the blank and jig dimensions.
- Lower the bit another 3/16 inch for the next round of passes, repeating until the desired hollow is roughed in.
These are source-specific process figures, not independently tested settings for every wood, router, cutter or seat. Keep the workpiece secure and follow the router and bit manufacturers’ instructions; adjust the setup and cut to the actual work rather than assuming the stated depth or pass count will suit every project.
Plan for hand finishing
The router does most of the rough sculpting, but it does not eliminate refinement. Hockema says a scraper or power sander is still used to fine-tune the surface. The amount of hand work depends on the result of the rough cuts and the seat shape you want; the article does not quantify finishing time or specify a final surface standard.
Rank #2
Milescraft 1219 Circle Guide Kit- Precision Router Circle Cutting Jig For Cutting/Routing Circles From 1.5” Up To 52” with Offset Base
- LARGE CUTTING RANGE: Small circle router guide jig cuts circles from 1. 5" To 12" In diameter; Large circle Jig cuts circles from 10" To 52" In diameter
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How this differs from other seat-shaping approaches
| Approach | How it shapes or guides the seat | How it addresses depth and symmetry | Finishing described |
|---|---|---|---|
| Router carriage jig (WOOD Magazine, March 27, 2018) | A plunge router travels on guide pins in a sliding carriage over a fitted base with curved rails. | The carriage and rail geometry guide the router’s path; the source gives no measured symmetry tolerance. | Scraper or power-sander fine-tuning remains. |
| Hand shaping with a depth gauge (Fine Woodworking, March/April 2019) | Michael Burt describes shaping a rocking-chair seat with a grinder and using a gauge made from scrap with dowels at two-inch intervals, marked in quarter-inch increments. | The gauge helps check depth and symmetry during hand shaping; it does not guide a router or remove material by itself. | Hand shaping is part of the method; the tip does not quantify remaining finishing work. |
| Production CNC roughing followed by hand shaping (Thos. Moser) | The manufacturer says a CNC router automated rough-form cutting for its Continuous Arm Chair. | The account describes automated roughing but does not specify a depth- or symmetry-checking gauge. | Hand-sculpting with a grinder remains part of shaping the seat highlight and saddle. |
These accounts describe different shop contexts, not a controlled comparison. They do not establish which method is faster, more accurate or better for a particular chairmaker.
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Imbot Router Circle Cutting Jig Adjustable Woodworking Cabinet Hardware
- 4-in-1 Functional Design: The Imbot Router Circle Cutting Jig combines four essential functions—circle cutting, arc routing, groove milling, and guide bushing—into one versatile tool. Perfect for both DIY enthusiasts and professional cabinet makers, it simplifies your woodworking tasks.
- Wide Cutting Range: Equipped with a dual-scale ruler (metric and imperial) for precise adjustment, the woodworking router’s guide rails accommodate workpieces ranging from 7.08 inches to 48 inches. This exceptionally wide adjustable range makes it easy to handle woodworking projects of all sizes, offering outstanding versatility.
- Solid Aluminum Alloy Construction Built with high-grade, thickened aluminum alloy, this router milling groove bracket is built to last. The one-piece construction delivers superior rigidity and minimal flex, ensuring cleaner, more precise cuts every time.
- Wide Compatibility：Featuring multi-hole layout, this adjustable router jig fits most handheld routers on the market. Simply measure your router base plate and align it with matching holes for stable, wobble-free mounting. Engineered for quick, hassle-free setup, this circular cutting positioning jig lets you kick off your woodworking projects right away.
- After-Sales Service: If you are using an extra-large or non-standard milling machine, please contact us before placing your order to confirm compatibility. In the rare event that the base mounting holes cannot be aligned during installation.
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5 In 1 Router Circle Cutting Jig For Cutting/Routing Circle,Aluminum Router Milling Groove Bracket for Straight Or Cylindrical Edges,Adjustable Router Jig and Guide for Woodworking Edging Projects
- 【5 In 1 Router Circle Cutting Jig】-This upgraded router circle jig is specially designed for router tools which can not only milling circles,but also carving centers,grooving straight grooves,straight edge grooves,round edge grooves and measuring.Integrated multi-functions in one,capable of completing various woodworking projects.
- 【Functional Large Base】-The detachable aluminum large base can be mounted with the plate to snuggly fit to the edge of wood to trim or mill a circle groove,a straight groove or an arc groove.When removing the plate and equipped with the rod,you can easily cut a circle,milling a circle groove or carve centers according to your needs,supporting cutting diameters ranging from 10 in to 34 in, meeting the diverse needs of daily woodworking tasks.
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- 【Cutting and Milling Grooves with Precision】-The circle cutting jig features easy-to-read Imperial and Metric measurements,enhancing precision for woodworking projects.The bright red design with white measurements enhances visibility,particularly for users with visual impairments.
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Milescraft 1224 Edge & Mortise Guide - Universal Router Guide for Straight or Cylindrical Edges - Built in Mortise Guide - Bonus Offset Base
- Compatible with plunge and fixed base routers
- Straight edge has a maximum Travel of approximately 5-1/2″
- Plate Opening Sized to 1-3/16” for PC Style Bushings
- Depending on router, base may only connect with 2 or 3 opposing slots.
- Router guide has a large surface area for straight and curved edges for radial cuts
Sources
- WOOD Magazine: “Seat-sculpting jig saves time and keisters,” March 27, 2018.
- Fine Woodworking: “Depth Gauge for Chair Seats,” March/April 2019 shop tip.
- Thos. Moser: “The Thos. Moser Continuous Arm Chair”.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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