Leigh D1600, User Manual

Page: 38 / 126

W O O D P R E P A R A T I O N
User Guide
32
Chapter 6
6-1
Stock for use on the Leigh D1600 jig should
generally be prepared straight, flat, of even
thickness and equal widths, with square ends
and edges. The jig will work with boards of
many odd shapes, but make sure the jig can
function properly with the required shape
of board before you try to use it on a project
workpiece.
Note that plywood is generally
unsuitable for routing because of tearout
problems.
90°
90°
6-2
You will want to test the jig, so prepare some
3
⁄
4
" x 5
1
⁄
2
"[20x140mm] boards. Cut them to
length as you need them for the jig tests you
want to perform. Use them for practice with
the jig’s various joint modes so you can see
how the different modes work.
Remember,
though, that boards of unequal thicknesses
can be joined just as easily.
6-3

Dovetail joints are intended for
joining end grain to end grain
➀
.
Attempting to cut dovetails in side grain ➁
does not work because:
A. The wood will tear out badly when rout-
ing.
B. Even if you could rout them, the pins and
tails would easily break off across the short
grain
➂ , either during or soon after the
assembly when the boards start expanding
or contracting at different rates.
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