To cut mitered ends on small project parts, use a 45-degree chamfer bit with a same-size plywood or MDF template taped to the workpiece. The template gives the bit’s bearing a surface to follow after the cut removes the workpiece’s flat edge. Set the fence and bit height to suit both pieces, and use a scrapwood backer block to help keep the stock steady.
What you need for the template method
- A router table and 45-degree chamfer bit.
- Plywood or MDF cut to the same dimensions as each workpiece.
- Double-face tape to attach the template to the workpiece’s good face.
- A scrapwood backer block to support the workpiece during the cut.
In WOOD Magazine’s method, the chamfer bit forms the miter angle. The template is a functional guide: it preserves bearing contact where the workpiece’s original flat edge is cut away. This is a technique for small project parts, not a measured guarantee of accuracy. WOOD Magazine’s router-table miter method describes the approach.
How to cut the miters
- Size the parts and template. Cut the workpieces to their final width and length. Cut a plywood or MDF template to those same dimensions.
- Attach the template. Apply double-face tape to the workpiece’s good face and position the template on it. Keep the template’s ends and edges flush with the workpiece.
- Set up the router table. Adjust the fence so it is flush with the bit bearing. Set the bit height to cut through the full thickness of the workpiece without cutting into the template. Check the relationship between the fence, bearing, workpiece and template before machining.
- Support and cut the first end. Use a scrapwood backer block to help keep the workpiece steady as you make the cut.
- Cut the opposite end. Rotate the workpiece and machine the other end. For identical parts, reuse the template.
WOOD Magazine Staff characterized its method this way: “For cutting miters in small project parts, nothing matches the dead-on accurate results of a router table equipped with a chamfer bit.” That is the magazine’s editorial assessment, not a published comparative measurement.
What to do if one pass cannot cut the full thickness
If your router cannot make the full-depth chamfer cut, make a template for each workpiece and cut all the parts at a partial depth. Raise the bit incrementally, then make another pass on every part. Repeat the sequence until the cuts reach final depth. Keep the fence and support arrangement consistent as you work through the parts.
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Should you use a lock-miter bit instead?
A 45-degree chamfer bit cuts a mitered edge; a lock-miter bit cuts a different, interlocking joint. These are distinct setups, not interchangeable instructions.
| Option | What it does | When it fits | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| 45-degree chamfer bit with template | Cuts the miter angle; the template provides bearing contact. | Small or repeated parts where a straightforward mitered edge is wanted. | Requires a same-size template, tape, careful fence and height setup, and support. WOOD Magazine |
| 45-degree lock-miter bit | Cuts an interlocking joint; one board is routed flat and its mate vertically. | Projects where interlocking geometry and self-alignment are desired. | Uses a different joint design and setup. Fine Woodworking describes the joint’s larger glue surface and self-aligning parts; those benefits do not make it a substitute for the chamfer-bit method. Fine Woodworking; Infinity Tools |
Fine Woodworking also describes removing most waste before finishing a cut with a router in its lock-miter workflow. That is part of its separate method, not a step in the WOOD Magazine template procedure.
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Safety and setup limits
The cited method does not establish a universal router speed, maximum stock thickness, or compatibility for every bit and router. Follow the specific router and cutter manufacturers’ instructions for speed, capacity and safe use. A fence, template and backer block help control the work, but do not replace model-specific guidance. For general router-table fence and support considerations, see Woodcraft’s router-table setup guide.
Quick Recap
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