E N G L I S H
40 for half-blind and sliding dovetails
41 for through dovetails and box joints (DE6212)
42 for miniature through dovetails and box joints (DE6215)
Icons and text on the template indicate the side of the template and the
alignment line that have to be used for each joint.
43 TAILS/BOX
for through dovetail pins and box joints
44 HALF-BLIND
for half-blind dovetails
45 PINS
for through dovetail pins
● Insert the lugs of the template (2) between the adjustment knobs (7)
and securing knobs (6) (fi g. H2).
● To align the workpieces with the template, lean over the workpiece
and look straight down at the alignment line (fi g. H3).
● Rotate the adjustment knobs (6) to align the alignment line X with the
joint Y of the two workpieces.
● Secure the template in the correct position by tightening the securing
knobs (7).
Instructions for use
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Always observe the safety instructions and applicable
regulations.
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Also refer to your router manual.
Selecting materials
The primary materials for dovetailing are natural and man-made woods.
A good-quality hardwood will give an excellent result and minimise
splintering.
Properly preparing the materials for your workpiece is the key to good-
looking and tight-fi tting results. For the best results, workpieces must be
cut at perfect right angles. Workpieces must be fl at and not warped.
Orient the wood so that end grain is joined to end grain to obtain a
strong joint.
Optimum material widths
The templates allow making joints up to 305 mm in width. However,
some widths will produce a more attractive joint than others as they will
include a whole number of dovetails across the material width.
The optimal material widths are multiples of 25.4 mm (1") plus 6.35 mm
(1/4") (e.g. 31.75 mm, 57.15 mm).
If you are using the miniature dovetailing template, the optimal widths
are multiples of 12.7 mm (1/2") plus 3.2 mm (1/8") (e.g. 15.9 mm, 28.6 mm).
Other material widths will also work, however they require careful
centering of the workpiece relative to the template fi ngers to achieve an
attractive result.
Dovetailing
● Place the router on the fi ngers of the template.
● Switch the router on.
● Make a fi rst cut across the vertical workpiece moving from right to
left. This will create a sharp shoulder in the vertical workpiece and
minimise breakout in the remainder of the application.
● To form the joint, move the router and guide bush along the template,
working in and out of the fi ngers from left to right, ensuring that the
guide bush is in contact with the edge of the template throughout the
application.
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● Never lift the router out of the template when the tool is
switched on: this could result in damage to the template and
the cutter.
● When moving the router onto and from the template, make
sure that the router is switched off.
30
Trial cuts
It is recommended always to make a trial cut using pieces of scrap wood
in order to check the settings.
● Fit the trial pieces together and check the joint.
● If the dovetail joint is too loose, slightly increase the depth adjustment
using the fi ne adjuster.
● If the dovetail joint is too tight, slightly decrease the depth adjustment
using the fi ne adjuster.
● If the dovetail joint is too shallow, move the template slightly
backward.
● If the dovetail joint is too deep, move the template slightly forward.
Basic joints
Routing half-blind dovetails (fi g. A2, D2, E2, G & H)
The half-blind dovetail (fi g. E2) is one of the most common types of
joints and, with rebated half blind joints, is the ideal choice for drawer
construction. In a typical half-blind drawer construction, the joint is not
visible from the front and is invisible when the drawer is closed.
Both tails and pins are cut in the same operation. The pins are cut in the
horizontal position; the tails are cut in the vertical position
● Place the workpiece to be used as the pins part in the horizontal
position (fi g. G1). Make sure the that outside of the workpiece faces
the base of the attachment.
● Mount the half-blind/sliding dovetail template (40) (fi g. H1).
Make sure that the fi ngers side faces the operator.
● Adjust the left offset guide (9) to centre the pins part relative to the
template fi nger spacing as required (fi g. G2). See "Marking and
clamping the workpieces".
● Lock the left offset guide in position using the Allen key supplied (36).
● Place the workpiece to be used as the tails part in the vertical
position (fi g. G2). Make sure that the outside of the workpiece faces
the base of the attachment.
● Clamp the workpieces in position so that they are fl ush against the
left offset guide (fi g. G3).
● Align the template using the "HALF-BLIND" alignment line (44)
(fi g. H1 & H3).
● Fit dovetail cutter type A (15) and guide bush type A (17) on the
router using a guide bush adaptor plate as required (fi g. A2).
● Adjust the cutter depth using the "HALF-BLIND" depth guide (31)
(fi g. D2).
● Make a fi rst cut working from right to left across the face of the
vertical workpiece to reduce chipping.
● Rout the pins and tails. Remove the workpieces when fi nished.
● Check the joint.
● If adjustment is required, proceed as follows:
- To reduce joint overlap, move the template towards the operator.
- To increase joint overlap, move the template away from the operator.
- To create a tighter joint, lower the router cutter as necessary.
- To create a looser joint, raise the router cutter as necessary.
Dovetail joint on rebated front (fi g. D - F)
Dovetail joints on rebated fronts (fi g. F1) are often preferred to fl ush
joints (fi g. E), particularly in drawer construction.
● The depth of the rebate to be jointed must be greater than the depth
set on the "HALF-BLIND" depth guide (31) (fi g. D2).
Routing rebated half-blind dovetails (fi g. A2, D2 & G - I)
● Measure the depth of rebate on the workpiece to be used as the tails part.
● Create a spacer piece of a width equal to the rebate depth
measured.
Routing the tails
● Place a piece of scrap material in the horizontal position (fi g. G1).
Make sure that the piece is thick enough to prevent the cutter from
contacting the base of the attachment.