ALTERNATE ROUTER BITS

You are not limited to using the router bits supplied with your jig. Other router bits can be used to produce a different look or to work with thicker woods. Using alternate bits can help you produce more advanced joints (inlayed dovetails, etc.). Since 1/2" shank bits are stronger and are much less prone to deflection than the 1/4" shank bits, we recommend that you use the 1/2" shank bits with the 4210 and 4212 dovetail jigs, and with the 4211 and 4213 accessory kits.

THROUGH-DOVETAIL BITS

If you choose to purchase alternate through-dovetail bits, keep in mind the following:

1. The dovetail bit must have a 7°

angle. This angle matches the

tapered fingers used to guide

the straight bit.

2. The sum of the diameters

of the dovetail and straight

bits must equal 15/16". For

example, a 5/8" dovetail bit

must have a 5/16" straight bit

- the sum of both equalling

15/16".

3. The length of the cutter

determines the maximum

thickness of wood that can be

cut. The length of the cutter on

the dovetail bit is the maximum

thickness of the pin board.

The length of the cutter on the

straight bit is the maximum

thickness of the tail board. If

your bits have 1" cutters, you

can make through-dovetails

with 1" thick boards.

4. Purchase bits that will not

cut into the template guides.

The template guide used with

the dovetail bit has an inside

diameter of 21/32". Use bits

that will fit into this dimension.

Some larger bits might work,

but with minimal depth (Fig.

18A).

5. The inside diameter of the

template guide used with the

straight bit is 17/32". Use

DOVETAIL BIT

TEMPLET GUIDE

ROUTER SUB BASE

21/32"

 

 

 

DOVETAIL BIT DIAMETER

 

 

 

 

 

THERE IS A MINIMUM DEPTH OF CUT

 

WHEN THE DIAMETER OF THE ROUTER

 

BIT IS GREATER THAN THE INSIDE

 

Fig. 18A

DIAMETER OF THE TEMPLET GUIDE

THROUGH-DOVETAIL BIT

COMBINATIONS (READILY AVAILABLE)

3/4"

 

3/16"

5/8"

 

5/16"

9/16"

 

3/8"

17/32"

 

13/32"

 

 

 

DOVETAIL BIT

TEMPLET GUIDE

ROUTER SUB BASE

straight bits that are smaller

than that dimension.

HALF-BLIND TEMPLET

WOOD FOR HALF-BLIND JOINT

HALF-BLIND DOVETAIL BITS

The difference in using alternate bits and standard bits in making half-blind dovetails is in the depth-of-cut.

DEPTH OF CUT FOR A HALF-BLIND JOINT

Fig. 19A

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