Dovetail question

[mort]

I am using the dovetail jig pictured below, and cutting both the tails and grooves in one shot. How is it conceivable that I am coming out with tails that are too wide for the grooves? In my practice I have been sure to run back over the work several times with the router to make sure I'm cutting away all of the wood that should be cut away. I've tried it several times and each time I keep getting tails that are wide(or grooves that are narrow?) I can't seem to find the error.

[mort]

The jig calls for a 1/2", 14 degree bit with a 1/4" shank and a 1/2" od guide bushing and that's exactly what I am using.

This is what I'm getting...

[Alex R]

I have one of those and I found that they lack the precision to be set up perfectly first time. You need a bit of trial and error. Moving the upright piece down a tiny bit before clamping would sort it out. Just a smidge.

Also it helps if you rout a big fat curve on the corner afterwards (grin)

[mort]

After some more trial and error and investigation I've found that the router shaft is just ever so slightly off center from the router base. Given that I'm using an adapter bushing and not a self-guided bit, it's throwing off the cutting to one side just a bit. I can correct most of the misalignment by going back through the cutting process with the router faced the opposite direction but it doesn't quite get it all. I still have to go back through with a chisel and trim the tails a smidge. A little more work than I was anticipating but it is working. What a pain

[Casey4s]

After some more trial and error and investigation I've found that the router shaft is just ever so slightly off center from the router base. Given that I'm using an adapter bushing and not a self-guided bit, it's throwing off the cutting to one side just a bit. I can correct most of the misalignment by going back through the cutting process with the router faced the opposite direction but it doesn't quite get it all. I still have to go back through with a chisel and trim the tails a smidge. A little more work than I was anticipating but it is working. What a pain

More powert you sir! I love the look of dovetails but have never been able to get a compete set done without me screwing up. Kudos Sir. I have taken the easy route and stuck with much simpler box (finger) joints.

Do you have have pics of finished joihnts/cabinets?

[mort]

More powert you sir! I love the look of dovetails but have never been able to get a compete set done without me screwing up. Kudos Sir. I have taken the easy route and stuck with much simpler box (finger) joints.

Do you have have pics of finished joihnts/cabinets?

ha! thanks. it's a lesson in patience, that's for sure.

This is my first go at dovetailing so I don't have any pics yet. It'll probably be a couple days before I have the cabinet fully assembled, pre-finish. I'll put up some photos though.

Here's the only other joining effort I have ever done, simple hand cut box joints. It took one hell of a belt sander to straighten it out Good thing I was going for a slightly rustic look

5e3 w/ ext cab

[Alex R]

Also there's getting the offset right to the edges match up. But it's do-able.

I only did a couple of cabs, and they came out ok in the end. Is there a really simple reliable jig for doing finger joints?

[mort]

Also there's getting the offset right to the edges match up. But it's do-able.

I only did a couple of cabs, and they came out ok in the end. Is there a really simple reliable jig for doing finger joints?

In this case the offset is the distance between tines in the jig which is 1/2". The instructions say that that measurement may need to be slightly adjusted. I learned in practice that about 15/32 offset was just right.

I haven't looked up jigs for finger joints but I'm sure there are plenty out there.

[Sock Puppet]

I know this is a bit OTT for a few cabs but it has a great video:

The Amazing WoodRat Makes Any Woodworking Joint

[Casey4s]

Here's one of my cabs done wiut a DIY home made box joint jig.

[mort]

That looks like some pretty clean joinery there, nice job. Do you use just glue or do you have to use nails, screws, etc?

And if I may be so bold as to criticize, that footpedal looks like it could use a redisign with the metal all hanging out like that. Maybe nix the metal plate and have the switches just mounted into the wood? Might have to countersink from the inside to get the wood thin enough to mount them [and have an access plate on the bottom]. It seems that you've put a pretty good bit of thought in to the appearance of your amp and it looks great but the footswitch seems a little out of place. Just thinking out loud here.

[Casey4s]

That looks like some pretty clean joinery there, nice job. Do you use just glue or do you have to use nails, screws, etc?

And if I may be so bold as to criticize, that footpedal looks like it could use a redisign with the metal all hanging out like that. Maybe nix the metal plate and have the switches just mounted into the wood? Might have to countersink from the inside to get the wood thin enough to mount them [and have an access plate on the bottom]. It seems that you've put a pretty good bit of thought in to the appearance of your amp and it looks great but the footswitch seems a little out of place. Just thinking out loud here.

I just glue and clamp it, no mechanical fasteners used at all at the joints. I use a home made jig for the box joints so I can cut two or more pieces at the same time.

I was never really happy with the foot pedal but it was eating up too much of my time and I had a deadline to finish this for my brothers birthday.

[mort]

ah, very cool, a gift!

You are the man. That's very cool.

As for my progress, I've had a pretty bad mishap on the last joint but I'm making due. In spite of my tightening the collet as much as reasonably possible the router bit slid out of position and went really deep, even to the point of taking a little chunk out of the jig. I'm going to live with it though because I don't have enough wood to correct the problem. The rest of it came out ok, not perfect but not horrible. I took some photos to show my work. Keep in mind this is a first and it's still in the rough stage. Good news is I learned alot for next time.

[Casey4s]

That should glue up fine just give it plenty of time to set up before getting the routher out again. I know all about hitting the jig, LOL I totally destroyed mine trying to get a handle on dovetails. I just gave up.

[Casey4s]

This is my home made jig with the dust collector removed. This is how I do box (finger) joints, but no doves.


Click on the Pic:




EDIT:

With the dust collector attached: