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Here are some Instructions for the Shop made dovetail jig I posted here:



First layout and mark all of your pins, color in the waste areas to reduce any confusion when sawing.

With the jig on the saw (orientation doesn't matter) lay your pin board down and raise the blade to just barely higher than the thickness the wood, so the pins will protrude when assembled with the tail board so after gluing you can plane them smooth for that perfect fit.

Picture 1: Use the blade kerf to position the board against the fence, start on the right edge and make your first cut just get close it's not critical to be right on. If you end up with one tail slightly wider then the other it will just look more hand cut.

Picture 2: Move the board to right and do the middle pin(s).

Picture 3: Now flip the dovetail jig 180 degrees so you are using the other fence and repeat the cuts, this defines the pins, the shaded areas still need to be removed.

Picture 4: Shows the pins completed.

Picture 5: Position the pin board on the tail board and mark the tails

Picture 6: Cut the tails (cut the grey part), the red lines show the cuts than can be made on the band saw. The blue shows the part that you need to cut out with a chisel. Cut very close to the line but leave it, go slow here, take your time on these cuts. You will need to clean these up by paring to the line.

Hope this helps.

Gallery

Comments

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222 Posts
Tim, great instructions. I'm actually encouraged to build this jig and try it out.

Thanks for the project, and the documentation!
 

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19,753 Posts
Thanks Tim a big help.
 

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thanks for taking the time to post this… much appreciated.

Do you know the angle (or ratio) the fence boards are set on your jig? You mentioned you used a gauge. I understand it can vary depending on what you want the dovetails to look like… I just curious as to what you used here.

Thinking about this… I wondering if I can do a similar jig for use on my router table. My TS isn't that great and I don't have flat bottom blades for it… A TS and blades is high on my list…
 

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Glad it helps, I used the hardwood marking gauge from Veritas, it's 1:8 ratio for hardwood.

I'm sure this will work on a router table also
 

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Thanks, I've been thinking of tying something to speed up hand cuts, this looks like the real deal!!
 

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I just made my own layout marking gauge. It is based on Rob Cosman's design. It is a 1:7 ratio and now that I have used it a couple of times, I'll make others with different angles. It took me about 1/2 hour to make. I used 1/4" hardboard that was smooth on both sides. see my projects for pics

russv
 

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this one is going in me favorites…thanks…
 

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Glad to pass this on, hope it works as well for everyone as it has for me.
 

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Instead of chiseling out the waste, you can use a coping saw to take most of it, then trim to fit with the chisel. This avoids the chance of breaking the points.
 

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@BigTiny, good tip. I usually end up taking most of the waste out at the band saw then trimming but a coping saw would be a good alternative.
 

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Hey Timbo, this looks like a great idea. I gotta try it when the weather warms up. Its no fun holding frozen metal tools with your bare hands and your glasses are steamed up with frozen water vapor. I'll be sure to have some questions for you in the Spring so keep your notes around. I'll be needing them.
 

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Thanks Harr,
I know what you mean on the ice cold tools. Just shoot me a message whenever you get to try this and I will help all I can.
 

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Definitely making one of these. I love this site!
 

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Thanks for sharing this jig idea - I will be adding this to my shop.
 

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Thanks for posting the drawings. I hope to build this jig soon. I am obviously missing something, however, in pic 6. Shouldn't the bandsaw cuts be made in the grey shaded portion of the drawing? It appears to me that you are cutting into the tails which would make the pin sockets much too large.
 

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Sawmillman - Yes cut the grey shaded area. The red lines were just to show which cuts were to be done on the band saw. Looking back on this years later I can see how it is confusing.
 
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