Woodworker's Journal winter-2010, страница 18

Photo 4: When standing in front of the jig, you'll move the router from left to right across the template to make the deep cuts. However, depending on your jig, you may need to make a light skimming pass from right to left first to help reduce tearout.

refer to your jig's manual for more specific directions.

First, attach a 7/16" guide bushing to the sub-base of your router, making sure that the guide is concentric with the collet. Install a l/2^M-diameter, 14-degree dovetail bit in the router's chuck and set the bit's cutting depth to 9/16" below the base of the router.

After securing the dovetail jig in a bench vise, install the straight finger template and set the template and the stop bar to the jig's 1/2" scale settings (see Photo 1). [Note: if your router's sub-base isn't 5³A" diameter, see

the jig's manual for directions on setting the stop bar correctly.]

Place a board vertically into the left side of the jig and adjust the side stops so that the stock is centered relative to the template fingers (see Photo 2). Make sure the board is square to the jig, then tighten the screws that secure the stop. Repeat this on the right side of the jig. Now slip boards into both horizontal and vertical positions in the jig, with their sides flush against the left-hand stops. Butt the stock ends against each other. Set small scraps of the same thickness as your boards at the other end of

the jig, so that the jig's built-in clamps will hold the stock securely (see Photo 3).

Rout along the full length of each template finger, working in a clockwise direction (see Photo 4) while keeping the guide bushing in firm contact with the template's edge (see Photo 5). It's very important to never, ever lift the router until the bit is clear of the template, lest you ruin it. Once all the dovetails are routed, check to make sure all of the waste material has been removed before unclamping the boards (see Photo 6). Remove the test parts and trial-fit them

Photo 5 (left): Feed the router in and out of the template fingers to cut the pins and tails to shape. Work slowly and methodically, keeping the router's base planted firmly on the template. Photo 6 (right): Before unclamping the boards from the jig, check to make sure you've routed away every bit of waste material in and around the template fingers.

18 Dovetailing with a Router and Jig