Introduction

Thanks 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
My honest and thorough review of the WoodRat is on the way. Tons of projects, trips to Brazil and PA, a spot of bad health (lower back problems was actually a huge kidney stone stuck between the kidney and the bladder), and problems getting non-WoodRat cutters and accessories to work with the WoodRat have all combined to delay my review. Thanks to all the patient folks out there, especially WoodRat who entrusted me with Rat!

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
I am often asked whether or not purchasing a WoodRat is wise. If you want a turn-key jig to produce box joints or dovetails...NO.

However, if you want a tool/machine/jig that will produce virtually every common cabinetmaking joint and you don't mind fiddling around a bit...YES! The WoodRat is especially beneficial to those who want the hand-tool look and quality, with production-capable repeatability.

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
A few bits of advice to those starting out with the WoodRat:

1. Purchase the WoodRat video and watch it a dozen times.
   
   
2. Read the manual through several times and then proceed through it (making the joints), front to back, it's laid out the way it is for a reason.
   
   
3. Start with the standard WoodRat cutters for dovetails. The Rat can use virtually any cutter, but I had better success with the standard cutters.
   
   
4. Purchase accessories as your expertise grows and projects require them. For instance, ChipsFly.com sells many fine and well-designed accessories for the WoodRat, but for the most part they are not required to do the basics. Learn the basics of the machine, then invest in the accessories. I spent considerable time with the accessories and non-standard cutters before learning the WoodRat and paid for it in lost time and some frustration.
   
   
5. With that said, two accessories that I do recommend right off the bat: The WoodRat plunge bar and an eliminator chuck for your router. The plunge bars allow for one-handed plunge operations and greatly simplify most plunge - router operations. However, the plunge bars make it more difficult to replace cutters. Plus, the router sits vertically affixed to a phenloic plate in the WoodRat making cutter changes even more difficult. For this reason I recommend the purchase of an eliminator chuck, such as the Eliminator RC product ChipsFly.com offers. I have not purchased this accessory yet, but plan on doing so. It sounds trivial, but changing cutters on the WoodRat has caused me to release a few choice words in the shop. As soon as I obtain an eliminator chuck, I will let you know how well it works.

WoodRat Links
A few key Woodrat Web links:

• WoodRat
  The Main WoodRat site.
  
  
• WoodRat Forum
  A great place to get information regarding the WoodRat.
  
  
• USA WoodRat Dealer - Demonstrator
  Aside from Martin Godfrey, probably no one supports or demonstrates the WoodRat more than Lewis Stepp. If you're in the U.S.A, you will find this is the place to purchase your WoodRat and accessories. If you're not in the U.S.A, it is still a great source of information and place to purchase accessories.
  
  
• Aldel's Personal Site
  Another great place to get information regarding the WoodRat.

WoodRat Installation - The Wall

There 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 One

The 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 Two

The wall frame is mounted to the inside of the ceiling bases using 3/8" bolts, washers, and nuts.

Slide Three

The 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 Four

Slide Five

The 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 Six

The 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 Seven

The WoodRat wall swings up and out of the way to clear the area when needed.

Installation Photos

Packaging

Photos of the Front

Photos of the Rear

The rear provides storage for templates and the WoodRat accessories I have accumulated from ChipsFly.com.

Other WoodRat Tidbits

Blu-Tak
Looking for "blu-tak"? You can purchase the Elmer's version in the U.S. at virtually any large stationary store, or even the stationary section of department and grocery stores. I purchased two packages at Office Depot for $1.30/pkg. By the way, other adhesives that you might try: rope caulk, Hot melt glue....

Elmer's Tack 'N Stick Reusable Adhesive, Stock Number #98610

WoodRat Brush
ChipsFly.com offers a replacement brush that conveniently fits a 2x6 for $15.00. If you want a less-expensive option, check out the Rubbermaid G192. They come two to a package for about one dollar. However, it is smaller than the ChipsFly.com offering and has a plastic handle/base.

RubberMaid G192 Vegetable and Hand Brush
FDC-G192-D3, Bar Code: 41301 00804

Erasing Pencil Marks
You want a good eraser for removing pencil marks from the WoodRat's aluminum face? A simple Papermate Pink eraser works just fine.

Comments / Questions

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