[woodnthings]

Did you see the 2 Videos?

There is a way.

http://www.finewoodworking.com/SkillsAndTechniques/SkillsAndTechniquesArticle.aspx?id=5245

The videos show 2 types of sleds both similar. The advantage to a router sled is that for planing very large surfaces, like table tops or slabs which will not fit in a typical planer, 15" or 20". bill

 

[woodnthings]

totally agree

What I was suggesting was a way to keep the boards in registration using the router lock bit, a self positioning joint so to speak. My issue is that the board shifts slightly under clamping pressure and as a result I need cauls or clamps across the surface to maintain a continuous smooth surface.

It may be my technique either on the glue up or that the boards are not perfectly straight or flat...I donno? Others here seem to have the same issue, so I offered the router lock bit video.
The tongue and groove seemed like another simple method .
Both would seem to require jointed edges and surfaces, but another post by WillemJM discussed that and found it not necessary.

http://www.woodworkingtalk.com/f5/were-you-glue-up-table-top-32049/

bill

 

[woodnthings]

I bought an edge joint bit like this

Got one for the shaper and ordered one for the router table.

Seems like a great way to make certain the boards don't shift in the glue up process.
A Thintz Video on the use of the bit:

 

[woodnthings]

joining and jointing larger boards

Nice easy way to join to large or wider boards to insure there are no offsets in the glue up:

 

[woodnthings]

the application and the tools avaiable

This always comes up when discussing "do I need a jointer?" or "which should I get first, a jointer or planer?"
So, the answer is you can plane with a router and you can joint with a router.... if you have to. :yes:

The disadvantage is that it can take until the apocalypse. I'd rather rip something down to fit in my planer than have to do that again, if at all possible.

AS with any woodworking process it depends on...

1. The size of the workpiece. For instance a large slab chainsaw milled from a stump or tree. You would not be able to rip and glue this size workpiece or would you want to:

2. The tools and machines available in the shop. Folks just starting and or on a budget may not have jointer or planer at this stage, but they may have a router and lots of time....
It actually goes faster than I thought it would.

I made a long 11 ft x 15" wide glue up for a decorative column in the shop. It was too long and too heavy for me to manage
So I used a router to increase the width of the inner channel.
Here: http://www.woodworkingtalk.com/f2/capping-post-oak-21195/

 

[woodnthings]

I can completely understand jointing with the router, but planing? Planers aren't that expensive are they?

Planers are more expensive than jointers in a stationary tool, about the same in a bench top.

Planers: http://www.grizzly.com/products/category.aspx?key=490000

Jointers: http://www.grizzly.com/products/category.aspx?key=450000