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dovetail jig setup

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dovetail jig setup

#1

dovetail jig setup

Mike V.

>I was wondering if anyone could offer some advice on a problem I�m having. I have a dovetail jig, the pins & tails can be cut at the same time. In the setup procedures it mentions taking the vertical piece of wood and shifting it �one slot� (template) to the left. Thereby, the vertical and horizontal pieces of wood are offset now (1/2"). After running the router through and subsequently trying to put the two pieces together I�m finding that the pin and tails don�t align. They're offset by one pin & tail.

I�ve tried shifting the vertical piece of wood to the other side and then tried centering on the horizontal piece and still keep coming up with misaligned pins & tails by one slot (1/2"), mostly offset by one slot. I�m at a �brick wall� now and can�t figure what I�m doing wrong.

Does anyone have any suggestions or tips? Thanks in advance.

Re: dovetail jig setup

#2

Re: dovetail jig setup

Pam Niedermayer - Austin, TX

>My first suggestion is that this is a question for the main board, not hand tools, since the main tool is a router, only assisted by the jig. Aren't too many jigs in hand tool usage.

Pam

Re: dovetail jig setup

#3

plus

Bill Tindall

>When you post on the main message board reveal what brand of jig it is. I think I have one like you describe but I have forgotten how to use it. Someone on the main board will know.

Re: dovetail jig setup

#4

Re: dovetail jig setup

Jack Guzman

>Mike,Dovetail jigs are the main reason I started down the hand tool path. It seemed the only decent ones cost hundreds of dollars so being the cheapskate I am I learned how to cut them by hand. When I found out how easy that was I started looking at other hand tool solutions to perform former power tool operations. I never looked back.---Jack

Re: dovetail jig setup

#5

Re: dovetail jig setup

Mike V.

>Thanks Jack, I revisited my jig again and have found out what the problem was and have since corrected the issue. I've tried the "doing it by hand" perhaps I'll come back to that at a later time. But in the mean time I will work with what I have. I don't have a problem with working with "cheap stuff" at times. I have the confidence that I can make it work as it has in the past. So, with that thanks again....

Re: dovetail jig setup

#6

Re: dovetail jig setup

Jack Guzman

>The only right way is the way that works for you,but I had to try. Enjoy.---Jack

Re: dovetail jig setup

#7

Re: dovetail jig setup

Thomd

>With that type of jig you have to do some trial cuts to set the proper bit projection, the depth of cut, and as you have found out, the offset. Once all three are dialed is it smooth sailing. The offset is normally just a small fence on the upper right that one adjust to align the parts when assembled. You also have to fold the sides over in the correct sequence to get them properly aligned, though that would be pretty obvious since the pins would be backwards.

Re: dovetail jig setup

#8

Beg to differ...

James Watriss

>I use jigs all the time.

Shooting board, bench hook, ramped paring block, Donkey's ear...

: )

Re: dovetail jig setup

#9

Yeah, guess I do, too. 

Pam Niedermayer - Austin, TX

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