The old Arcoy Dovetailer, sold in the UK a half-century ago, has been largely supplanted by modern cheap routers and router jigs.
But the Arcoy has its adherants, and I’m one of them – if only because it’s such a lovely, well-made device. I’ve had emails from users all over the world – Australia to Greece, New York to West Africa.
But even where these dovetailers survive, instructions are often missing. I have instructions for the basic kit on my website at www.jluby.org.uk/arcoy/. Directly readable or available as a pdf download.
I’m posting this because a woodworking aquaintance has just told me that someone on this forum is offering my pdf as a direct download from this site, without attribution or permission.
I haven’t bothered to search for it, as – whoever it is – they now have my permission (it’s why I produced the pdf in the first place). But I would appreciate clear attribution as a matter of basic good manners.
If anyone else here has any Arcoy information, I’d love to hear from them, either via my website or this forum.
Replies
Arcoy dovetailers
I still have a couple of the dovetailers and additional bits (inc. cutters) and I am sure I will not be using them. I have a comb guide and may have the Woodworker mag. article covering the original test. Do you know when that was?
Best wishes, Mufti
Arcoy Dovetailer
Mufti ...
Sorry to be so tardy replying - not in the hest of health these days, so I only look in here once in a while.
I don't have a ref to any original test in the Woodworker (though I have almost a full set of bound copies). I do have a Woodworker article from August 1959 that seems to cover just the Housing Attachment. There's a scan at:
http://www.jluby.org.uk/arcoy/Arcoy_Woodworker_Aug_1959.pdf
- (change the pdf tp jpg if you'd prefer an image). You'll need to use this direct link - they're up there but I haven't got around to linking them to the main website yet. I'll try attaching it as well...
If there is a Woodworker review for the original basic Arcoy kit, I've yet to find it - I'd be very happy to hear from anyone who knows of it.
John
Hello, I have just aquired not only the arcoy dovetailer and arcoy 2 speed drill but also the multi-pitch and housing joint jigs with ll the instructions. Would you like a copy of these ?
regards Wesley
Instructions
Hi. I am new to site and woodworking. Do you have instructions for the arcoy dovetail jig. Would be very grateful
Cheers in advance.
Connie
Hello Connie,
I have just posted a full set of instructions for the Arcoy Dovetailer. Please help yourself. Its obsolete but fun. Kit from Wales, UK.
I have a complete set of original instructions for the Arcoy Dovetailer. Instructions are also given for the Housing Joint Attachment. Please see below and help yourselves.
I was fortunate enough to work in a tool store that sold Arcoy Wodworking tools, they were actually made by A Robinson and Company based in Bootle near LIverpool. They started off by making ships telegraphs, but realised that these were now being supeceded in the sixties by electric and electronic instrumentation. So they started to design and build power tools, comprising a 650 Watt two speed drill, Sander attachment, rebater attachment as well as the dovetailer and housing joint jig. I actually went and had a tour of the factory and was very impressed by their ability and willingness to diversify to stay afloat. One of their sales representatives came to our tool store and gave a practical demonstration to interested customers, from that moment on I was hooked for life ! I too have a complete set of instructions for both the dovetailer and housing joint attachment.
This forum post is now archived. Commenting has been disabled