Making Minor Adjustments
Install your test boards in the jig, set the fence and template to their
correct locations, and then lock the boards in place with the two cam
locks. With the router bit set at the correct height, visually check that
the bit won’t engage the template or any part of the jig. Begin cutting
from left to right, making sure that the bushing rides the template all
the way to the back of each groove. DO NOT LIFT THE ROUTER
OFF THE TEMPLATE WHILE THE MOTOR IS RUNNING. If you do,
the bit will destroy your template.
If the resulting joint is too sloppy, raise the bit 1/64” and try again.
Conversely, if the fit is too tight, lower the bit. Make adjustments in
approximately 1/64" increments, as a small adjustment can make
a lot of difference (Fig. 12).
If the two parts fit together well, but the tails are proud, move the stop
bar back the amount the tails are proud. If the tails slide too far into
the grooves (also called “sockets”) between the pins, move the stop
bar forward the amount they are shy (Fig. 13)
.
If you don’t have an even amount of pin or tail at the top and
bottom of the drawer, revisit the section entitled “Locate the Stops.”
Sometimes you may want to have a full pin at the top and a half pin
at the bottom. This is easily accomplished by visually adjusting the
stops in the manner described in that section.
Continue milling test pieces (both left and right) until you achieve
results that are satisfactory. Only then should you mill actual work
pieces. The scales on the jig are designed so that when you achieve
the joint you desire you can make pencil marks on them for use later
on for quicker set up (Fig. 14).
FULL THROUGH INSTRUCTIONS
Drawer or Box Layout and Identification of Pins and Tails
Layout all four pieces of your box or drawers and identify which will
be the drawer sides (tail boards) and drawer fronts and backs (pin
boards).
For jewelry or other decorative boxes, you’ll want to display the more
decorative dovetail tails on the front of the box. To do this, label the
front and back pieces as tail pieces as shown at right.
Mark the tail boards and pin boards with a “T” or “P” on the inside
faces.
NOTE:
This is a very important step, since the face will either face
towards the operator or towards the jig and will automatically align
all four parts when assembling.
1
/
4
"
1
/
8
"
3
/
8
"
1
/
16
"
3
/
16
"
1
1
/
4
"
1
1
/
8
" 1
1
/
16
"
1
3
/
16
"
1/2"
Heighten to tighten
Figure 12
Figure 13
Figure 14
Router Base
Heighten/tighten,
lower/loosen...
Left
side
T
Back
P
Front
P
Right
side
T
Left
side
P
Back
T
Front
T
Right
side
P
Mark all pieces
on the inside face
Drawers
Boxes
For Drawers
Drawer front:
Pin piece is in front
Drawer
Front
“P”
For Boxes
Box front:
Tail piece is in front
Box
Front
“T”
5
Tails sunken below surface;
move fence forward
Tails proud of surface;
move fence backward
