I have a router and I want to make a dovetail guide
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I have a router and I want to make a dovetail guide
Hi joliverio1923 - welcome to HomemadeTools.net :welcome:
I'm going to move this discussion into our Tools in Progress subforum, so you can get some ideas for your dovetail guide build. For now, here's a link to search results for "dovetail router" from our encyclopedia: Homemade Tools Search: dovetail router - HomemadeTools.net
Buy an aluminum template mount it on a block with toggle clamps
You will find many solutions from this website......StumpyNubs.com
the tolerances required are very exact, much better to pay your bucks and get a commercial one. you can however make your own box joint jig
I agree with Kiwiles,Quote:
Originally Posted by kiwiles
The time and precise fabrication required doesn't offset the savings. But if you really want to make one. Here's a basic exploded drawing of one. Then it depends on the depth and spacing you want to achieve.
Attachment 13262
joliverio,sorry my friend i can;t help you there but type in goggle paulseller he is a master woodworker i believe you may find his site very helpfull,good luck
Troy Sexton showed how to make one back in 2007 in Popular Woodworking. I found it years ago after I had knocked myself out building something similar. Funny how much you learn when fabricating one of your own! It would have saved me a bunch of time, thought.
Here's the link I have:
How to Make a DIY Dovetail Jig for Less Than $20
I bought a Porter Cable dovetail jig back in the early nineties. It was well made, all steel and aluminum, it could produce some good quality joints. However, it had some quirks that made it a little tricky to use. It wasn't for lack of design effort, the engineers tried to cover all the bases but wood often has a "mind" of its own... I thought about re-designing parts of it so it could be quicker to use but then came along the advent of, custom sized dovetail drawer boxes, shipped to my shop, for about the cost of the raw materials... I don't even know what ever happened to the jig... Anyway for hobby or small shop use, I would buy a commercial jig and improve it. to make a good one from scratch will require a milling machine at the very least.
In addition to all the valid comments above, keep in mind that there is a trade-off between ease of use and flexibility. I have a Leigh jig that can cut dovetails that can look close to hand-cut, but I have to get out the manual and study up on it for at least a half hour every time I use it. Anything homemade will likely be easy to use but might not be as flexible as you'd like. If you're willing to go with the solid, accurate but easy to use type, look for a used Porter Cable jig which can usually be had for a fairly reasonable price. OR learn to do 'em by hand. That's what I do for a small project like a blanket chest, reserving the jig for the chest of drawers!
There is a YouTube video that might be of some help: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYpWldwGHFY in which Paul Sellers shows how to make a dovetail template that will help ensure accuracy. It is 9 minutes 9 seconds long.
I have to agree with other posters on this. Spend the money and buy a real dove tail jig. You won't be sorry. I tried to make one years ago and it turned out pretty good. But it lacked in quality. It all depends on what and how much you are going to use it.
I agree with the others, spend the money and buy one. If its only going to be used a few times, you may want to build one, but you won't be sorry buying a dovetail jig. Its definitely worth the money.
I've also been moving away from dovetail joints in favor of box joints. But then I have been on a box building jig for a few months now and I like the way they look when finished... I am continually having trouble with my guide bearings on my jig and the tear out is pretty bad on most cuts... I know, buy a new bit/bearing, use better wood, etc.. Table saw is giving me clean straight joints and that is what I am after...
I have a Rockler jig, but have not been able to make a successful dovetail yet. Have pretty much given up. Have had no luck with a homade box joint jig either.Quote:
Originally Posted by joliverio1923
