Cutting Dovetails

[John Moody]

Several of you were asking me about the jig I use to cut the dovetails in the Cedar Chest I posted. The Dovetail Wiz is the jig I use and it comes from Peach Tree Woodworking. I purchased the jig at The Woodworking Shows when they were in Huntsville, Ala. several years back. They don't see to have a show in our area any longer.

The jig is really easy to setup and it is 15" long. You can purchase extra 15" jigs and make it as long as you want. I have two of the 15" jigs mounted together on a block of wood. On one side you cut the pins, flip it around and cut the tails on the other side.

 

Find the center of the board you are going to route. Always start with the tails. Once you have the center, make a mark 5/16" either side and then line up one of the inside edges of the tail opening exactly with the second line and you will cut perfect tails. I to all the tail pieces before switching to the pins. I do have a router with the tail bit and one with the pin bit so I don't have to change and set them up. When you are ready to cut the pins lay the matching tail board on top of the edge of the pin board and scribe a mark inside both edges. Set the jig on top of the board and line up the inside edge with the two scribe marks and clamp it down.

[Roger A. Johnson]

have you seen the r-9 from leigh,I made a 40" beam for it

[Rob Austin]

I have not seen this at Peachtree Woodworking & Supply. I will look next time I'm at the store. Is this used instead of a dovetail jig?

Rob

[Rob Austin]

Our local woodworking club meets at Peachtree Woodworking & Supply. We have around 68 meetings there each year.

[Roger A. Johnson]

look for the video on the r-9 at highland woodworking

[John Moody]

Not sure I understand. It is a dovetail jig.

[John Moody]

No I have not seen the r9

[Roger A. Johnson]

the r-9 is a new dovetail jig from leigh you have to make a beam to index the plate.I bought it to do blanket chests

[John Moody]

Sounds like this one. I used a piece of white oak for my beam.