Thread: Carbatec KL-15 Dovetail Jig Problem

Originally Posted by djfoggin

the stop underneath the bearing on the bit drop straight down to the base of the collet -F***K I say as I stop the router so that the jig doesnt get damaged. Try and find a allen key small enough to tighten the stop and then start again 2 seconds later its sliding down the bit again as if it was greased.

That's why the dovetail set router bits supplied by Gifkins has a spring to stop this.


Peter.

Take a look at the Keller web site for some info.

There is a second part to your problem - the Keller jig is not intended to be used upside down in a router table - you are 'supposed' to clamp it to the end of the board, put it in a vise & use the router handheld on top

from the keller website " Shorter material can be run with the templates upside-down on your router table for speed and convenience"

also from the carbatec website
"The jig is normally used with the workpiece held in a bench vise and the jig is then clamped to the workpiece as shown in the photos. Alternatively, it can be used inverted on the router table with the workpiece simply clamped to the waste block"
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I have a KL-15 as well. It doesn't get used since the Incra arrived but I junked the crappy bits that came with it and bought some better quality ones. The seals on mine fell out after a couple of uses. I've only ever used it on the router table.

what bits did you get and from where?

From memory, the only place I found that had the same bits was McJing. The entry in the Carbatec catalogue has the exact sizes of the bits. The straight one is easy to get but the 7 deg dovetail bit is a bit harder to find.

I had exactly the same problem with the bits so I put the jig aside as yet another lesson and bought a Timbecon jig. It is for half blind dovetails but I also got the through template and 1/4 inch box joint template. The latter needs a template guide in the router so I also bought a set of these. The guide for the 1/4 inch bit is only slightly larger than the bit diameter and my less than delicate handling saw it destroyed before I finished the first joint. I've come back to woodwork as a hobby, having chucked it in ten years ago. I really wish I hadn't sold my brilliant Leigh jig. They just work!