Making a bowtie (butterfly key) with a router and template

How to make a butterfly key using a router and the math behind it

[@ChrisHornberger]

Quite literally the only video I've seen on it that doesn't overly complicate it, or just brush over the basics of bushing selection. Good balance of technical info and how-to simplicity. Well done.

[@GaraWoodWoodworking]

Thank you very much for the comment....appreciate you watching

[@garywalker479]

Thanks for your help! I couldn’t find a template small enough for my project. I knew I could make one but the concept of using 4 separate pieces made it SO much easier than accurately cutting out out of a single piece of plywood. 👍

[@stuffoflardohfortheloveof]

Nice one! You’re the first I’ve found that showed how to ‘inlay’ with two different bushings instead of removing a brass collar from one bushing only. Been scratching my head about how to do it with my bushing set and your diagrams were key in getting the penny to drop. The key for me was that you used the 1/8th router bit, making the maths easy. Thanks 👍

[@GaraWoodWoodworking]

No problem, glad to help. Thank you for watching

[@GaraWoodWoodworking]

You bet - glad this helped!

[@caroljohnston4563]

Thanks for this video. I was asked to make bowtie inlays for a client's butcherblock counter top. I had to add pieces to an 8 ft. top to make the top 122" long. He wanted to add bowtie inlays where the tops were joined on each end for decorative purposes. I had an acrylic template, but hadn't used it in years. I also had the 3/8 and 5/8 bushings. They turned out great! There were several videos showing the procedure, but yours was perfect for what I needed to do. The only thing I had to buy was a 1/8 router bit because the one I had wasn't very sharp. Thank you!!

[@GaraWoodWoodworking]

Right on - I am glad this helped! Hope the table turned out well. Thank you for watching.

[@John33gfed]

Dude thank you . Best video I've found on making perfect inlays! Love that you showed the math ( why it works) and the proper guides/ bit to use! You are a pro!

[@jbb5470]

Outstanding video! I really appreciate how you explained the math and how it relates to the bow tie! Excellent!!

[@GaraWoodWoodworking]

Thanks for watching!

[@Grumpyneanderthal]

Simplest solutions are always the best. You’ve solve a problem for me with that split plywood. I couldn’t see it but it was so obvious. Thanks

[@GaraWoodWoodworking]

Thanks for watching!

[@gavadams7383]

Very informative video, first one I've found that explains the guides properly. Thanks!

[@GaraWoodWoodworking]

Thank you very much - thank you for watching. Glad I could help

[@tjuelk]

Just used your technique. Worked great! Thank you for posting.

[@GaraWoodWoodworking]

Thanks for watching

[@orlanjackson3423]

Great instructions!

[@GaraWoodWoodworking]

Thanks for watching

[@BeyondF1]

Very well demonstrated, extremely helpful. Thank you.

[@GaraWoodWoodworking]

Glad I could help, thank you for watching.

[@robertscott5124]

Very good instruction and demo. Thanks.

[@GaraWoodWoodworking]

Thank you for watching!

[@misiacs3346]

Yours is the best explanation. Thanks!

[@IRONMANMETALBILLDANKANIS]

Great video. Made it easy to understand the math behind the training. Subscribed too. Thanks

[@pacoclbhs]

I needed someone to explain this. Thank you so much!!!!

[@GaraWoodWoodworking]

You bet!!!

[@vieuxacadian9455]

Ancient cultures used butterfly keys to lock stonework together . Thanks for sharing Your build .

[@GaraWoodWoodworking]

I have seen some images...crazy hey!!

[@thebobloblawshow8832]

Great tutorial. 👍👍

[@tommcnally3646]

Thanks for the detailed breakdown

[@GaraWoodWoodworking]

Thanks for watching

[@bitmasters]

Thank you very much for this informative video, much appreciated!

[@mikedisimile2478]

Nice job explaining everything thank you

[@GaraWoodWoodworking]

Really appreciate you watching

[@johntildesley2907]

Hi, loved the video but do have a query. I find that when I use my template the socket hole has rounded corners because I'm cutting with the outside edge but, when I cut my bowtie because it is the inside edge doing the cutting the corners are square. Am I doing something wrong? Thanks, John

[@GaraWoodWoodworking]

Hi John. They should both be the same.....Can you send me a photo? [e-mail]

[@johntildesley2907]

Hi, I sent a photo yesterday to the email address you forwarded. I'm not chasing but not sure if it landed in your junk. Thanks for your help, John

[@rustythecat2163]

Good idea well taught! Thank you very much!

[@matthew8239]

Very helpful, thank you

[@zakorkaz]

Just saved your video. I’m going to try this over the weekend. I’m sure it’ll work great.

[@GaraWoodWoodworking]

Best of luck!!!!!

[@GaraWoodWoodworking]

Right on!!!

[@zakorkaz]

GaraWood Woodworking I bought an upcut bit with a cutting depth of 1/2”. I guess my bow tie will be slightly shallower than yours unfortunately since I can’t find a deeper cutting bit online.

[@GaraWoodWoodworking]

@@zakorkaz How deep can you make it? I have made some that are about 3/8" deep

[@zakorkaz]

@@GaraWoodWoodworking I was actually able to get the bow tie cut out to be 1/2" thick. I cut out the bow tie hole in the table 1/16" shy of 1/2" and it made the bowtie insert stand out 1/16" proud. Your instructions worked like a charm. Wish I could show you pictures. Table looks gorgeous.

[@Durrttyy]

Thank you sir. Great video!

[@rothfam55]

Awesome explanation! thank you! I almost spend $80 on a template kit but it didn't allow you to cut the bowtie inserts. Can you use the same 2 bushing sizes to cut different size bowties?

[@MrJbunch1]

Best explanation ever

[@halwoolley7760]

Well explained and well executed!

[@GaraWoodWoodworking]

Thank you very much!

[@KariJacobsen-o4z]

Or, to simplify the math: Bushing 1 - Bushing 2 = 2(bit diameter)

[@dannyfernandez526]

You are a magician . 😂

[@GaraWoodWoodworking]

Hahaha thank you!!!

[@elmerfudd835]

Wouldn't the jig allow you to cut that bowtie out perfectly? Chisel work seems very satisfying, but it leaves so much room for a mishap

[@Kocsis_Robert]

the way you cut out the bowtie... SMART!!

[@SAWimp1]

you round over the corners of the key instead of squaring off the corners of the mortise? might want to include that step for some of your viewers

[@ranhaber1]

Great video 👌 What kind of bit do you use ? Straight, up/down spiral ?

[@squidink7073]

Great video but I have one simple question that will help me with my seriously bad math skills. If I want a 6" x 2" finished bowtie, how big would I make the template? In other words, how big does the cutout area of my template need to be? Would I add 1/4" and male my template 6.25" x 2.25"? Or am I off in my thinking (highly likely).

[@clemenswiedlroither9103]

You are a genious!

[@GaraWoodWoodworking]

Hahahaha, thanks!!

[@BigNicky77]

Wow! Excellent demonstration, thank you. Definitely got a sub from me👍👍

[@GaraWoodWoodworking]

thank you - really appreciate you watching

[@snturner10]

Thank You!

[@GaraWoodWoodworking]

Thanks for watching

[@johnbarker8733]

I can't get my math to work. I have a 1/4 up spiral bit and several bushings, but every time I try to calculate which bushings to use, the numbers do not match. I would have thought a 3/8 and 5/8 bushing would have worked, but I seem to be missing something. Which bushing would you use with a 1/4 bit?

[@GaraWoodWoodworking]

so when i do the math....If I used a 3/8" with a 1/4" bit I would use a 9/16" brass for the other cut....I hope I have that right??

[@huffyboy01]

@@GaraWoodWoodworking I came up with 7/16" brass for the other cut? My head hurts!

[@codygscarpentry2829]

I used 1” with 1/2 for the 1/4 bit, it worked. Not sure how it worked out that way.

[@paulsmith1141]

Worked great, curious how you rounded/softened the corners on the key. I just rounded them with a little hand sanding and they fit great. Thanks

[@GaraWoodWoodworking]

Thats exactly what I did too! Works great

[@craigwesson1788]

Now that you have made a few this way. how best to remove material ? router or chisel.

[@GaraWoodWoodworking]

I like using the router but some people prefer a chisel....Preference I guess.

[@dozukime]

@@GaraWoodWoodworking I think the router method will give a more precise depth.

[@GaraWoodWoodworking]

@@dozukime I agree with that

[@deanhauser1838]

how do you clamp that size of a template down on a large table where the clamps won't reach?

[@GaraWoodWoodworking]

That is tough one....Generally the crack are at the ends. But I did have this situation once....I made long strips of wood and glued it to the edges of the template and made them so the clamps could reach. Wasnt ideal but it worked. I just had to be gentle not to hit the template too hard.

[@johnmclain6535]

So I did this to the letter. My key turned out fine but didn't fit in the cutout. Not sure what I'm doing wrong. Help?

[@GaraWoodWoodworking]

How much is it off by?

[@GaraWoodWoodworking]

What part isnt fitting?

[@johnmclain6535]

@@GaraWoodWoodworking ideas the key itself is a bit long and wide. I thought about sanding it down but it wasn't just a tiny bit in one spot. Should I try a smaller bushing than the 5/8 inch?

[@GaraWoodWoodworking]

@@johnmclain6535 That does sound like a bushing or bit issue - are you confident you have the correct sizes? I wouldnt recommending sanding it down. (how much is it off by?)

[@johnmclain6535]

@@GaraWoodWoodworking the bit is brand new so I doubt that's it. I may try a slightly smaller bushing than the 5/8's tomorrow

[@romeliapolly2519]

I did it with Stodoys.

[@salvatoregagliardi48]

4 people don't know how to use a router!

[@GaraWoodWoodworking]

Hahaha