What is Chop Service routing?

When you order a frame on our Chop Service you'll see the option to 'Add Routing Service'.
 
This means you'll receive the frame with routed slots in each mitred face - they allow you to join the frame with the supplied dovetail keys, instead of on your underpinner. It's also handy if you don't have an underpinner in your workshop or studio.
 
Routing service takes the hassle out of joining moulding, and is especially useful on tall, narrow profiles, and hard woods like Ash, Oak and Black Walnut. Even the best underpinners and most skilled operators can struggle with joining dense, hard woods because the v nails can’t displace the timber fibres, causing gaps and v nail blowout.
 
Routing works differently – it removes timber to make a slot for a dovetail joining key. When you receive your chop frame, tap the supplied dovetail keys in with a hammer to pull the corner tightly together. The dovetail keys not only hold the mitre, they actually pull it tightly together to give an unbeatable join.
 
Routing Service costs £7.80 + VAT per chop frame, including dovetail joining keys. It's available on almost all our mouldings and stretcher profiles, apart from a few that are just too small.