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IntroductionThanks to all of you who have been hammering me for the pics. What I did not realize, the original drawings were not appearing for you either! Turned out I had a bit of a code problem that does not show up on my test server. What About My WoodRat Review After a year of working with the beast, I do have some very strong opinions! Not to worry, the WoodRat is the only machine/tool/jig (what the heck is it?) I have come across that has virtually unlimited uses and seems to grow with you, not against you! There is a learning curve, and be prepared to work with a machine that is not necessarily "turn-key". I believe the time and effort spent towards taming the WoodRat is well-worth the investment. Is the WoodRat Right For You
The WoodRat is not a box joint jig nor is it a dovetail jig, or a mortise and tenon jig. It is a very unique router-driven machine, similar to Machine Shop Mill, but for woodworking. Will it do box, dovetail, and mortise and tenon joints? Yes, and with more varieties than any jig currently available. But if you're looking for a turn-key jig, perhaps you should consider something else--the WoodRat does require some experimentation. A Few Words of Advice
WoodRat Links
WoodRat Installation - The WallThere is no arguing that the WoodRat should be installed on a wall. Those without walls, cob up something to attach the WoodRat to a workbench. This works, but if you spend anytime at all with the WoodRat, you soon wish for a wall. Our shop has absolutely no open wall space, and I did not want to attach the WoodRat to one of our workbenches, so I decided to hang a "wall" suspended from the shop ceiling. The design allows me to swing the WoodRat wall up to the ceiling when the WoodRat is not in use while providing a perfectly stable and flex-free wall for the WoodRat when needed. I used construction 2 x 6 lumber for the basic frame and the ceiling bases, planed and jointed for appearance. I used lag screws to mount the frame to the ceiling joists. I used 3/4" material for the support arms--nothing more substantial is required. I used 3/4" melamine for the "wall" surface. It provides a solid, stable surface, that I can write on, clean, etc. I used 3/8" bolts to join the wall frame, ceiling base, and the support arms. Once tightened down, there is absolutely no flex whatsoever to the unit. I made the WoodRat mounting bracket to the specifications described in the WoodRat guide. I planed and jointed construction pine to 2" x 5" and crosscut it to match the length of the WoodRat (36"). I mounted the bracket to the melamine using four 3/8" bolts. I produced the WoodRat hangers to the specifications described in the WoodRat guide, except, I made mine 10" long rather than 9" long. I milled the required rebate to 6mm x 12mm and mounted the hangers to the bracket as described in the WoodRat instructions. The following are a few drawings I worked from to build the WoodRat wall. Slide OneThe basic frame is made from 2 x 6 material, planed and jointed to 1-3/8 x 5". The ceiling bases measure 5" x 60" and are mounted to the ceiling joists using 4 lag screws. The wall frame measures 39" x 60" and fits between the two ceiling bases with a tight fit.
Slide TwoThe wall frame is mounted to the inside of the ceiling bases using 3/8" bolts, washers, and nuts.
Slide ThreeThe wall is 3/4" melamine cut approximately to 39" wide by 36" tall. It is screwed to the wall frame using 1-5/8" countersunk square-drive screws. The angled support bracket is 3/4" thick by approximately 58" long and is mounted to the wall frame and ceiling joists using 3/8" bolts, washers, and nuts.
Slide FourThe WoodRat bracket is planed and jointed to be square and flat--fabricated to the dimensions provided by WoodRat (2" x 5" x 36"). It is mounted to the melamine wall using (4) 3/8" bolts, washers, and nuts.
Slide FiveThe WoodRat hangers are planed and jointed to be square and flat, again, fabricated to the dimensions provided by WoodRat (1" x 2" x 10"). Actually, WoodRat specifies a 9" length dimension, I made mine longer because (add your best reason here). I rabbeted the hangers as specified by WoodRat (6mm x 12mm). The hangers are attached to the bracket using #8, 2-1/2" wood screws, with the cull of the rabbet located 25mm below the top of the bracket.
Slide SixThe WoodRat fits tightly over the hangers and bracket. The top surface of the WoodRat is approximately 50" from the floor, which is approximately 18" from my eye-level.
Slide SevenThe WoodRat wall swings up and out of the way to clear the area when needed.
Installation PhotosPackaging![]()
Photos of the Front![]() ![]()
Photos of the RearThe rear provides storage for templates and the WoodRat accessories I have accumulated from ChipsFly.com. ![]()
Other WoodRat TidbitsBlu-Tak Elmer's Tack 'N Stick Reusable Adhesive, Stock Number #98610 WoodRat Brush RubberMaid G192 Vegetable and Hand Brush Erasing Pencil Marks Comments / QuestionsWas this article helpful? Do you have any questions? E-Mail Us! We would love to hear from you! |