A Fluting Jig for Turned Spindles

Several years ago I built a jig for my router so that I could cut flutes in spindles that were turned on the lathe. I did this because I needed to make a fluted split turning for an antique clock. It worked great.

The jig is simply a box with rabbets cut in the top edge to accept my router's base. One end is fixed and the other end is adjustable using the two slots cut in the sides.

There are two screws in each end. The top screw is screwed into the center of the spindle. The bottom screw is for locking the spindle in place for fluting. I mark lines on the spindle where the flutes need to be and align them with a mark on the end plate. Then tighten the bottom screws to lock it in place and rout the flutes.

On the spindles I did for the clock I needed tapered ends to the groove. I built a tapered jig that sits on top of the router jig and which are clamped in place.

The router simply rides up the ramp and the bit comes out of the work at the end of the flute.