Making the cuts

With the jig adjusted, make a test joint to check the fit. Your goal is to get the fit nice and snug. If the joint is loose, the pins are too small

(slide the key away from the blade). If they don’t fit, they’re too big (slide the key toward the blade).

For the first cut, push the edge of a top/bottom part ( A) flat to the table and against the key and make a pass ( Photo 3). Make a reference mark on the front and back of this pin to help set up the cuts for the sides. For the rest of the cuts, fit the socket over the key, hold it in place and make each pass slowly ( Photo 4).