I have a PC 4212 dovetail jig which has been used several times to cut half-blind joints. The tails and pins are so tight that I have to bang, whack, clamp, and otherwise carry on to the point of splitting the drawer pieces. Changing the depth of cut does not seem to help. I’m cutting joints in 5/8 in birch that has been milled perfectly flat. The template guide measures the required 3/4 in and fits nicely into the jig recesses. The router bit measures the required 17/32 width and 7 degrees. The bit has been cleaned and sharpened. I make 2 to 3 passes in both directions to make sure the pins and tails are clean. I am frustrated. Could the bit be somehow misaligned? All advice will be appreciated.
Kingsun
Replies
For joints that are too tight, adjust your router to make a more shallow cut.
Have you gone shallow enough?
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It would indeed be a tragedy if the history of the human race proved to be nothing more than the story of an ape playing with a box of matches on a petrol dump. ~David Ormsby Gore
I'll give it another try. I have decreased the depth of cut (is this what you mean by shallow?) by 1/32 in and gotten a still too tight joint with a 1/32 in gap at the joint. However, this was at the point when I was considering giving up woodworking and joining a religious cult because of my frustration level. Perhaps the sun will shine on my jig and my joints in the morning. Thanks.
Kingsun
You need to slightly raise the cutter so that less shows. 1/32 or less is a good start. This cutter stick out is very, very critical, very small amount of raising or lowering will make the fit get loose or too tight.. I keep a router just for this purpose and never use it for anything else. Right now my fits take a light tap with a mallet to assemble.
Don't give up! It's definitely a trial and error thing, rub your head, pat your stomach etc!
You'll get it.------------------------------------
It would indeed be a tragedy if the history of the human race proved to be nothing more than the story of an ape playing with a box of matches on a petrol dump. ~David Ormsby Gore
Hello , yes it is fustrating at first . but like the previous posts take your time and only make small incrimentale adjustments , 1/32 at a time . I too had this issue with my PC Omnijig . I had to raise the bit to the point I barely had a tail sticking out . Found out that all bits are not exactly equal . The bit I was using ( brand X ) was supposed to be a 7 degree and when measured was a 10 degree which makes a hole new ball game for half blind . You will get it take deep breaths and practice , practice , practice .
Thanks to all of you for the sage advice. I ended up shortening the bit depth by a total of 3/32 in. What an amazing difference: great fit and much easier routing (not hogging so much out). Also learned another lesson. Yesterday when I thought backing out the bit somehow made a gap appear, I must have picked up the wrong test piece. How do I know this? Because I did it again today, but I had marked and numbered all of my test pieces. When you fit shorter pins to deeper tails, you get a gap. Although I hope this will be my last attempt at re-inventing the wheel, it probably won't be. All in all, a fine day in the workshop.
Kingsun
Hello , glad to hear your not so disappointed . Yes I think we all have been there in the beginning . Should be clear sailing from here . Good luck & let us see your projects !
Gary
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