Set the Template
For 1/2" material, set the back edge of the half blind template to the “A” setting
(Fig. 9) on the adjustment arm. For 3/4" thick material use the “B” setting (Fig. 9).
All the template settings for 1/2" and 3/4" material are designed as starting
points to rout your joints. Depending on material thickness, tolerances in the
guide bushings and router bits, the template may need minor adjusting to give
you the desired final fit.
Set the Stop Bar
The last adjustment to make before milling begins is to set the Stop Bar (Part 4).
Two knobs (Parts 8) lock the Stop Bar in place.
The reason you set the Stop Bar is that the router base butts up against it at
the end of every cut. This limits the length of the grooves between the pins into
which the tails fit. Note the different lengths of the grooves (Figures 10 and 11).
Both of these settings are for Porter-Cable (5
3
⁄
4
") base dimensions.
If you are using a router with a base that’s not 5
3
⁄
4
" diameter, you need to use
the following formula for setting the fence. Setting the fence location sounds
complicated, but it’s really quite simple. You’ll need a piece of paper and a
pencil to work out the location, since you’ll need to add a couple of numbers
together.
Start by writing down a measurement that is twice the thickness of the drawer
side stock (for example, with 3/4" thick sides, this would be 1
1
⁄
2
"). Now find the
radius of your router base: that is, the distance from the center of the bit to the
edge of the base. Add this to the first number. For example, if your router has a
6" base, you would now have 3" plus 1
1
⁄
2
" for a total of 4
1
⁄
2
". The last calculation
is to deduct half the thickness of the bit. The supplied bit is 1/2", so just subtract
1/4". Locate the fence this distance from the front of the template. In our
example, the fence would be 4
1
⁄
4
" back from the front edge of the template.
Be sure that the fence is set parallel to the front of the template. Secure the
fence by locking down the two knobs, and you’re ready to mill the test boards.
Figure 9
Figure 10
Figure 11
4
Example: 1/2" material using
5
3
⁄
4
" Porter-Cable router base
with a 1/2” dovetail cutter
1 " + 2
7
⁄
8
" = 3
7
⁄
8
" - 1 / 4 " = 3
5
⁄
8
"
