6
11. Set the template back from the front edge of
the workpiece by approximately 1/8”, see
Figure 5.
12. Loosen the two knobs (A, Fig. 5) to position
the template. Measure from the two ends of
the workpiece to the template to make sure
the template is parallel to the front edge of
the workpiece.
13. The fence (B, Fig. 5) should be set from the
template finger tip according to a simple
equation found in Table 1. Loosen the two
knobs (C, Fig. 5) to position the fence.
14. Set the router bit so that it is approximately
7/8” lower than the router base.
15. Rout off the front edge of the workpiece
following along the template fingers. Then
rout out the rest of the material.
16. Remove the workpieces and check for fit.
Fitting and Adjusting
If the dovetail fit is too tight decrease the router
bit distance from router base slightly.
If the dovetail fit is too loose increase the router
bit distance from the router base slightly.
If the pins on the side piece fit too deeply in the
tails of the front, or back piece the cut is too
deep. Move the fence forward the same amount
the pins are exposed.
If the side piece sticks out from the front, or back
piece the cut is too shallow. Move the fence
back the same amount the sides stick out.
If the edges on the front and side piece do not
match adjust the stop. The front stop must be
offset from the top stop the width of the template
finger, in this case 1/2".
When you have the jig properly adjusted, you
can dovetail the actual drawer parts.
Note: Joints for the left front corner and the
right rear corner of a drawer or a box are cut on
the left side of the jig. Joints for the right front
corner and the left rear corner of a drawer or a
box are cut on the right side of the jig.
Note: The drawer sides should be cut to the
finished height. They can be left longer and cut
to the finished length later.
Note: Once the desired router bit height is
established make a simple gauge block out of a
hardwood to quickly get the correct setting in the
future.
Note: Once the stops are set properly and you
have obtained the desired results use a scribe to
mark the stop locations.
Equation: Stock Thickness times two, plus
Router Base Radius, Minus Bit Radius, equals
distance from template finger to fence.
Example
Stock
Thickness
Router
Base
Radius
Router
Bit
Radius
Distance
from
Fence to
Template
Finger
1/2" times
2 = 1”
6” divided
by 2 = 3”
1/2"
divided by
2 = 1/4"
3-3/4”
Table 1
