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With the box joint accomplished, I am ready to try dovetails. The Incra Jig can do both half-blind and through dovetails and while I am wanting to do the latter for my chest project (I am adding special drawer fronts to the drawer boxes), I decided to learn to do half-blind dovetails first. |
You start in much the same way...looking through the pages of full-scale template guides until you find one that will handle the board thickness and give you the look you want. Here I like the looks of "DOVJ." I also can see that the "A" cuts will be the 1/2 blind in the end pieces. |
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I install the dovetail bit specified for that template and set the router depth of cut to what the template calls "the approximate depth of cut." This is a rough starting point. We will determine the exact depth next. I am using the Incra Gauge — a clever devise that uses the Incra molded scale to give repeatable measurements to within 0.004-inch. |
This next step is kind of tricky. Its purpose is to set the absolute correct depth of cut. You start by aligning the fence over the bit so that 1/2 the bit is exposed. At that point you slide the correct template so that an "A" mark is under the line. You make the cut at this "0" position. Then you move the fence to the next "A" point at make another cut. You make this cut on two boards clamped together. |
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Then you flip one board over and put the two together. If they fit perfectly, your router depth is set exactly right. |
My boards fit so exactly that the photograph makes then look like one board. The inset shows the illustration from the instructions. You adjust the router depth the amount of space in the test dovetail. |
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The instructions say to cut
"a dovetail shaped rabbet" in both ends of the pin (end) boards. The
template tells you how deep this rabbet should be and the guide helps you set it.
You make this cut on one side and on both ends of the front and back pieces.
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Next, I place the rabbeted side pieces back to back and make the "B" cuts. |
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When done on one end, I flip the boards end-for-end and make the cuts on the other end. The inset shows you the already completed ends with the rabbets. |
The end pieces get the "A" cuts. The Incra Stop (red part) is placed on the fence and adjusted so that the stop is as close to the bit as is possible. The cuts are made with the piece laying flat on the table and against the fence using a push block. The stop limits the depth of cut. |
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The final step: fit the pieces together. I was lucky that my first cut fit exactly. Usually you make a test end piece to test the depth of cut. |
The instruction booklet clearly shows how to adjust the Incra Stop to correct a joint that doesn't fit exactly. |
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While I stained the end so that the joint would
photograph better, I didn't have to sand either piece. The joint was absolutely tight
fitting...a very nice half-blind dovetail.
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