XII. FENCE ADJUSTMENT
The fence controls the depth of the dovetail pins by limiting the distance that the router travels. The router stops when the router base hits the fence. The fence must be adjusted parallel to the edge of the vertical piece just like the template.
To adjust the fence:
1.Mount a 7/16" O.D. guide bushing in your router base. Measure the amount that the tem- plate overlaps the vertical piece. Multiply that number by two. For example, if the template is offset from the edge of the vertical piece by 1/8" and the thickness of the side piece is 1/2", then the overlap is 3/8". So, 3/8" x 2 is 3/4".
2.Now, add 1/32" to the distance you calculated in step 1.
3.Measure the distance from the edge of the router base to the edge of the guide bushing and add it to the distance you calculated in step 2.
4.The distance calculated in step 3 is the dis- tance that the fence should be back from the template. Loosen the two fence lock knobs and slide the fence into position. Ensure that the fence is parallel to the front of the tem- plate and tighten the two lock knobs.
Note: The procedure above is not affected by changing the router bit vertical depth of cut.
When you’ve finished with all the calculations, make a test run using some scrap wood to check your positioning. Fine tune if necessary.
Explanation | Example* | Your Jig |
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Distance that the template overlaps the | A = 3/8" | A = ___" |
vertical piece = A |
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Multiply A by 2 = B | 3/8" x 2 = B = 3/4" | A x 2 = B = ___" |
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Add 1/32" to B = C | 3/4" + 1/32" = C = 25/32" | B + 1/32" = C = ___" |
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Add C to distance from edge of bush- | D = 31/4" | D = ___" |
ing to edge of router base, D = E | 25/32" + 31/4" = E = 41/32" | C + D = E = ___" |
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E = distance from edge of template to | Total = E = 41/32" | Total = E = ___" |
edge of fence |
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* Note: The example above reflects 3⁄4" thick front/back and 1⁄2" thick sides.
IMPORTANT
When you have come up with a reliable number (E) for your router, base, bushing, and wood thickness combination, record it here and keep it for future ref- erence. E will be different for different wood thicknesses.
Figure 10 shows checking the alignment of the fence.
- 10 - | Woodstock Intl., Inc. W1099 |