Learning the Incra Jig Round 2

If what cut is very heavy? Do you mean the end cuts? 1/32” at a time will work. I have a little experience.

-- Odie, Confucius say, "He who laughs at one's self is BUTT of joke".

A fine looking piece Shawn.

-- Grant...."GO BUCKEYES"

Definitly slow the router down. Hardwoods need to run slower. I, too, had the same problem. Solved it by slowing the router to 16K, and slower feed rate for creating the double/double dovetails. The project looks very good, but regulate the router speed to the wood used. Take your time with feed rate.

Odie,

I sneak up on the end cuts in 1/32” increments but I am usually shattering the wood on the 3 or 4th cut towards the center.

My use of the term heavy for the center cuts is the due to the fact that you are forcing a fairly large profile though the middle cuts in a single pass. I was thinking of trying to make one pass with a straight bit to remove most of the wood and then trying second pass with dovetail bit for shatter prone woods like paduak, wenge and jatoba. I am guessing there is probably a better way though.

Thank you for responding to my question.

-- Shawn, I ask in order to learn

Have you tried a new dovetail bit? I have no problems in the middle cuts … let it plow. When do shatter the wood, on the virgin sides or after you have glued the trim on?

-- Odie, Confucius say, "He who laughs at one's self is BUTT of joke".

Is the bit very sharp? I have not seen that problem with mine, but have not tried a double double yet either.

-- North Texas

I have looked at your shop and you are using the old style Incra on a homemade fence … right? What are you using for the carriage? As in …. what are you clamping you work pieces to? I am sorry, but can you give more info? Check my table out and tell me the differences http://lumberjocks.com/projects/3594 .I have never used the old style of positioner.

-- Odie, Confucius say, "He who laughs at one's self is BUTT of joke".

This is a gorgeous box. I love the double dovetails.

-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.

Odie and Tom K,

I am working with a new bits (incra kit from MCLS). I have shattered joints on both initial passes and after the trim was glued. Generally it has been a problem for the harder/denser woods. What woods are you working with?

I strongly suspect that I am spinning the bit too fast, especially for the harder woods. Based on RonE’s response and the fact that the rest of you are not running into this problem, I am going to try to slowing the bit speed to see what happens. I will post the results when I have had a chance.

It is extremely helpful to hear both suggestions and results from other people.

-- Shawn, I ask in order to learn

Odie,

Your jig is really cool. I have the same Incra system as you on my router table – the 16” Incra Ultra. I did not show it on my router table picture. The picture that you saw was the older style Incra jig that I found at a garage sale for $15 and decided to use for my bandsaw fence.

I am using the Incra push fence that comes with the Ultra Jig.

-- Shawn, I ask in order to learn

Beautiful!

All these Incra jig boxes are making the rest of us look bad. :-)

-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"

Gorgeous box.

I also love using the Incra jig. It’s interesting how you point out that Incra joinery can be a little like “paint by numbers.” I have been resisting the “machined” look of Incra joinery a little lately by trying to incorporate a more natural “flowing look” even when I do use the Incra. That way I get results with the best of both worlds… precision and an artistic feel.

You did a nice job with this one. Great wood selection. I know what you mean about the maple.

-- Dust collectors suck.

How that we have seen the beautiful box…let’s see the wife…Just kidding, LOL. A really nice job. I wouldn’t know how to begin the double dovetails. I have to make mine by hand and am very excited if the dovetails work out period. Great job.

-- JJohn

Okie Dokie …. Shawn, I use a 690 Porter-Cable (1 1/2 hp … I think 22000). When I run the first side through I use a backer the same width of pine usually. After the trim is on I place the two face to face and put them through. When I glue the trim, I glue both surfaces and clamp for 24 hours. I used to loose pieces … not any more.

Do you have Perry MacDaniel’s book ?

-- Odie, Confucius say, "He who laughs at one's self is BUTT of joke".

Odie,

I have the book, this box design is about 90% stolen from one of it’s projects.

With regards to the double dove tails, I have been using 60 min epoxy to join trim pieces and leaving set for 2 hours (lack of time = lack of patience, or otherwise said I don’t have time to do it right but I seem to have time to do it over)

Based on the feedback I have received, I milled up some popular and some purpleheart test strips tonight and I am going to try a few of the suggestions that you and others have posted (slow down the bit, ensure sharp bit, slow down feedrate, leave trim to set 24 hours) and then post the results. I will be able to test this on the weekend.

I appreciate your assistance.

-- Shawn, I ask in order to learn

really nice..

-- making sawdust....

Great job. I look forward to more projects as you gain experience.

-- Depend on the rabbit's foot if you will, but remember it didn't work for the rabbit.

nice figure on the wood…looks great.

-- /\/\/\ BarryW /\/\/\ http://thecreekviewwoodworker.blogspot.com

Beautiful looking box. You did a great job on it. Thanks for posting.

God Bless
tom

-- Mc Bridge Cabinets, Iowa

Maybe I’ll get my incrajig out againg this weekend. I got frustrated and put it away.

-- Bruce from Central New York

Thanks to everyone for their comments … after some experimentation, it appears that I get the best results from slowing down the router bit speed to 14K rpm.

In addition, for the double joints, waiting longer for the glue to set also helps.

-- Shawn, I ask in order to learn

Indeed a beautiful box !!! Just one question though ….

How much did you have to pay that model to stand next to you ??? LOL … Great project : )

-- Dusty56@comcast.net