SuperStation Project - Stickley Style Writing Desk  - "Legs and Sides"...continued.

	I add the Incra router fence to the TS-III fence and center it over the bit.
I could have used the settings I came up with last week, but, instead, use my sample piece to set the fence to the correct distance and the bit to the right height.
	Once the fence is positioned and locked, I adjust the scale to zero.
Before I go much further, I mark the insides of the legs. This decision is purely a matter of aesthetics, but I don't want to be cutting sliding dovetails on the wrong sides.
	Since the sides are the same width as in my test of last week, I use the sample block also to set the Incra Stop. Using a good sample, like this, does make things simpler and, hopefully, foolproof. Good wood is expensive. I don't want to make any errors at this point.
I have backed the fence off (that is why I set it to zero) and have installed a 3/8" straight bit. I will use that to cut most of the groove, before I use the dovetail bit to make the final cut. With the fence's zero point marked, I can move it back to change bits and, then,  return it to the exactly right point without fear of error. To me, this is a real benefit to the Incra System — repeatable accuracy.
	I cut the  groove, with straight bit, making several shallow passes. I have used the Rout-R-Lift's hand crank to adjust the bit down from the final height. In doing this, I have counted the number of turns of the crank. I went down exactly 10 turns from the set height, and now I keep track of the turns as I raise the bit and make the passes. When I have added 10 turns, I know I have reached the right height.    Note that I am cutting only the one groove on each leg. I will complete this one and then reset the fence and do the other.
After I have cut the straight groove to depth, I switched to the dovetail bit and made one pass. Even in the dense oak, the dovetail bit cuts smoothly. It would have done nothing but burn if the straight bit hadn't done its work first.    There is no way to get around this two step method. The Rout-R-Lift and Incra System make the task very easy and accurate.
	With the one dovetail groove done on each of the legs, I use my sample block and move the fence to the other dovetail position. I lock the fence here and reset the scale to zero.    I then repeat the operation of cutting several shallow cuts with the straight bit, followed by the dovetail cut.
So here I am making that final dovetail cut on the last of the four legs. Even with all the setting and resetting, this leg cutting operation took about 20 minutes. What I like best about it is that it is a safe way to cut the legs, and they came out perfectly.    Now it's time to cut the sides to fit.