Thread: Dovetail jig

Hi,

Just bought one at the Brisbane Wood Show. The lady doing the demo was consistently able to produce good quality joints on it. They were being sold at an incredible rate.

Only go it yesterday and have not even unpacked it yet. Judging on what I saw yesterday, it should be OK and not too hard to use.

Thanks for the reply,Did it appear complicated to use? and what shank size for the router bits? Regards .........AL

Page 14 of the same isdsue of Woodsmith will show you how to set up, rather than the engrish instructions.
I haven't seen this one so I reallu don't know what its like but looking at the ad it appears that you need a guide/bush for the router, doesn't say if a bit or a bush is suplied.
On mine, which is not the same, I use a CMT dovetail bit with the bearing between the cutter and the router (is that above or below??), once it is set up it's good and I leave it set up in a dedicated router.
Practice on pine and eventually you will get it right, probably take about half an hour or so.
Shank size for router bits is dictated by your router and size of bush, if yours is 1/2" and a bush is a problem get a 1/4" collett.

Yea Liain, saw the page 14 write up,But have not read the same at length.I have a 1/4 inch router,so hopefully that will suit.Have emailed carba tec for mre info,so will wait and see.Regards......AL

1/4" should be OK but don't use a low powered router as it will take forever and probably burn the work.
I use a 2 1/2hp router and it fairly flies through with no effort, a few little tips though:
Work from left to right
Never-ever-ever lift the router up, you'll bugger the bit, the jig and probably do yourself some damage too.
Wear protective glasses, a little knot can fly and richochette a long way, wear a mask and hearing protection
The whole process is straight forward but don't get too blaise about it, one little slip and the fun starts big time.

Thanks again Lain,will p/m you later if things dont happen,Regards ......AL

And I am iain, not lain it is an I (eye) not L (ell) pronounced the same as ian.
Enjoy your dovetailing

Iian/Lian are you totally sure that it isn't a silent "L"(ell)? please reconsider & think of the fun you could have with it as in "Ell Ian wadda ya upto"

listen to Iains little tip, if that router slips for any reason kiss goodbuy to one router bit and the aluminium comb. Dont ask how I found this out :mad: but take my word for it.

In order to minimise this happening again, I will be making a router base out of 6mm MDF and I will plunge the bit through. That will leave me with a zero clearance base which makes it much less likely to move.

The jig will actually cut awesome half blind dovetails... to the point that it inspired me to try doing them by hand and see how good I could get them... lets say I'll be sticking to the jig for most things

Originally Posted by E. maculata

Iian/Lian are you totally sure that it isn't a silent "L"(ell)? please reconsider & think of the fun you could have with it as in "Ell Ian wadda ya upto"

A B C D Mudcrabs
M N O Mudcrabs
S A R-S A R
C D B D I's

As for not letting it slip, I haven't done it but I know someone who did, the comb was an absolute wreck, the shaft on the router bent (throw away) and one side of the bit sheared off and managed to punch a hole in the roof of his shed.
Hold it absolutely flat.

[QUOTE=Iain]A B C D Mudcrabs
M N O Mudcrabs
S A R-S A R
C D B D I's

ELL (L)IAIN, R LK IT !!!!