Abstract: A portable tool and method for connecting a cross piece to a series of parallel boards in a wooden frame assembly, by connecting a guide member temporarily to outer coplanar faces of the boards, directing the tool along the guide member and across those board faces to cut aligned similar notches therein, and then removing the guide member and connecting it or another member into the notches as a cross piece interconnecting the boards. To perform the notching action effectively, the tool has a first guide surface which engages and moves across the outer faces of the boards, with a cutter projecting inwardly beyond the plane of those faces to cut the desired notches, and with two additional guide surfaces engaging a lateral edge and outer face respectively of the guide member to positively locate and position the tool as it moves across the boards and forms the notches.

Abstract: A portable tool and method for connecting a cross piece to a series of parallel boards in a wooden frame assembly, by connecting a guide member temporarily to outer coplanar faces of the boards, directing the tool along the guide member and across those board faces to cut aligned similar notches therein, and then removing the guide member and connecting it or another member into the notches as a cross piece interconnecting the boards. To perform the notching action effectively, the tool has a first guide surface which engages and moves across the outer faces of the boards, with a cutter projecting inwardly beyond the plane of those faces to cut the desired notches, and with two additional guide surfaces engaging a lateral edge and outer face respectively of the guide member to positively locate and position the tool as it moves across the boards and forms the notches.