Rockler recently added the through dovetail jig. This gets added to the Rockler Dovetail
jig that is boxed in the background.
The Shootout is only doing through dovetails so this jig is acceptable
with the new template.
The
Rockler Dovetail jig arrived by UPS without any extra packaging. I was worried about
breakage and then I opened the box to see the foam box inside which keeps the components
safe.
There are two sets of instructions — one for the basic jig and another
for the through dovetail template.
It didn't take me long to decide that both sets of instructions on the four
pages and are too condensed .
Beth
has joined me, and I let her see if the instructions are sufficient. No, she agreed with
me and suggested mainly that the pictures are dark and of poor quality. We were not able
to do some steps when using this document.
The poor instructions didn't keep us from figuring things out but did cause
us to guess and then have to backtrack and do it again.
We will cover the procedures in a more detail so that anyone using this jig
can use these instructions.
The
Rockler Dovetail Jig has two holes for mounting on a bench. Instead, I mounted it on a
piece of 3/4" ply that was the same size as the jig's base and then added a 2-inch
strip to be held in the wood vise. This works quite well. Remember, that if you do this,
allow the base and jig enough room so that vertical boards clamped in the jig will not
interfere with the vise's handle.
Beth removes the template that comes with the Rocker Dovetail Jig. It is used
for 1/2-blind dovetails. It is held in place with four screws.
The instructions calls for a "clamping shim". It is supposed to be made from a block of wood 7" X 10". It is also supposed to be 1-inch thick so Beth cuts a piece from 1/4" plywood scrap and the other from a piece of 3/4" poplar.
This block is used as a spacer to lock the upper clamp and template holder. The instructions say to position the block under the horizontal clamp and align it with the back edge.
Beth next attaches the two offset stops to the template adjustment bars. The arrow points to the side that the template will be butted against.
The T-bolts that are supplied with the through dovetail kit are inserted and an adjustment knob is added. This is the way it should look.
The next step is to loosen the locking knobs and slide the template adjusting bar as far to the rear as is possible.
Then adjust the template adjustment bar so the offset stop is tight against the edge of the dovetail jig body.
