Dovetail Jig 'ShootOut'  — Rockler Dovetail Jig with Through DT Template

      This etching is on the PINS side of the template and all adjustments will be made in the pins.
   Beth wants to loosen the fit, so she wants to move the template towards the back guide.

   She uses one or two Formica sample chips to make the adjustment. To move the template away from her, she leaves the template tight and moves the guide bar back to allow the Formica samples to fit. Once that adjustment is made, she locks the guide bar and then moves the template back to touch the bar.

   It actually took two minor adjustments before Beth made this perfect joint. This operation took about 8 minutes. From this point on, she doesn't need to run samples and test fit. She can simply start cutting the actual dovetails.

  All the 2-step stool parts were previously cut, so it took about 20 minutes for Beth to complete the 4 through dovetail joints. Of course she did each stair joint individually and will now join the two stairs and finish the project.

    Beth did fine in this first use of the Rockler Dovetail Jig . It will be interesting to see this unit when completed. The Ambrosia Maple steps contrasting with the Brazilian Cherry sides make for an attractive piece of furniture — and the dovetails look great.

  

Text Box: Our final thoughts:    The Rockler Dovetail Jig is a fine tool and the accessory Through Dovetail Template allows the jig to be much more capable. I found the Instructions to be minimal and insufficient for new users, or for an old one, for that matter. The illustrations were not clear enough to carry out some of the procedures. The jig is well made and the templates seem to be accurate and substantial.    I do like the idea that the router bits required for use are a part of the kit. The cam clamp handles were installed in reverse, but that is easily fixed. The use of the 7" X 10" piece of wood for a spacer is OK, but there was no mention of using a backer board for reducing tearout — the spacer board can serve this purpose too. The edge guides were designed for use with the basic jig and may be useful for 1/2-blind dovetails, but cumbersome and inadequate for through dovetails.    I found the adjustment to make a joint tighter or looser is easy and the template is well marked for that.    Overall, I think the Rockler Dovetail Jig and Through Dovetail template is a very good product. Hopefully, a woodworker who is brand new to dovetail joints will be able to use the scenario on the last 3 pages to aid his or her first efforts. Without some additional help, making the first joint could be frustrating.         0.      





 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

               

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Rockler Dovetail Jig & Through Dovetail Template Rockler Dovetail Jig & Through Dovetail Template
This innovative new template attaches to our existing half-blind Rockler Dovetail Jig to quickly and easily create beautiful through dovetails on 3/8'' to 3/4'' thick material. It's ideal for draw..

Rockler Dovetail Jig & Through Dovetail Template