XIII. OPERATIONS
Your router base must accept a guide bushing with a 7/16" outside diameter and an inside diameter large enough to accept a 1/4" shank dovetail bit. Securely mount the guide bushing to your router.
Refer to your router’s operating manual for further instructions.
Choose a 1/2" 14° Dovetail router bit with a 1/4" shank. Ensure that the router is unplugged. Securely mount the bit in the router collet.
Set the router bit to extend 17/32" below the base
plate of the router.
Before cutting tails and pins in a finish piece, it is important to test your adjustments with sample pieces to judge the quality of the joint. It may be necessary to make additional adjustments to the dovetail jig to improve the fit. With the jig com- pletely adjusted, you should be ready to test it out. Review all safety guidelines on Page 2 if you are not sure about the risks associated with operating a router in conjunction with this jig.
A. REGULAR USE
To use the dovetail jig:
1.Start with joint 1 that you set up in Section VII.
2.Position the mated pieces in the jig so the insides face out and up. Each piece must be tight against the side stops. The back piece is positioned horizontally on top of the jig. The mating side piece positioned vertically in the front of the jig. Secure the drawer pieces with the clamps. The end of the side piece must be flush with the top face of the back piece. Figure 11.
Drawer Front or Back
(Horizontal)
Drawer Side
(Vertical)
Figure 11 shows the dovetail jig set up for use. The inside faces of the boards are showing.
TIPS FOR OPTIMUM RESULTS
Add 1⁄16" to the distance between the template and the router fence to ensure a deep enough cut.
Don’t clamp your work down too tight.
Maintain steady, even pressure on the router when cutting. Remove materials in several smaller passes, rather than one large pass. This will lessen the chances of damaging your project or your router bit.
Use pieces of scrap wood the same thickness as your workpieces to provide an even base for the template and clamping mechanisms. Place them at the opposite end of the template and clamps before tightening the jig.
Be sure the template is sitting flat across the length of your workpiece before routing to ensure even cut depth.
Woodstock Intl., Inc. W1099 | - 11 - |