General Tools and Instruments 860 v.1 User Manual

Page 3

ROUTER SETUP

1. Insert the dovetail cutter with the fixed bearing into the router.
2. If the enclosed cutter is not of the fixed bearing type, install both bearings onto dovetail cutter and insert into Router. (FIG. 5)
3. Set the height of the Dovetail Cutter Bit using the Depth Gauge. (FIG. 6)

For instructions on setting the depth gauge see USING THE DEPTH GAUGE on page 2.

4. FIG. 7 shows the dimension of the dovetail joint that the cutter height affects.
5. The tightness of the joint (the fit between the two boards) can be adjusted by raising or lowering the height of the cutter as show in

FIG. 8. This will be described in greater detail later.

CUTTING A HALF BLIND DOVETAIL JOINT

*The “PINS” side of the joint must be thicker than
1/2" for Half-Blind Joints

1. When cutting a half-blind dovetail joint, use the included

1/2" x 1/2" cutter and start with a bit height setting of 1/2".

2. Cut a test joint with scrap wood to confirm the fit of the joint.

If the boards do not fit together easily, the joint may be too
tight. The joint can be made looser or tighter by setting the
cutter depth shallower or deeper as shown in FIG. 8.

3. Begin with the “TAILS” side of the joint.
4. Center the board in the “TAILS” portion of the jig with the

outside face of the board facing inward. (FIG. 10)

5. Tighten the thumbscrews. CAUTION: DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN THE

THUMBSCREWS AS THIS HAS THE ABILITY TO WARP THE JIG.

6. Clamp the board to a workbench or secure it in a vice as

shown. (FIG. 11)

7. Cut the “TAILS” portion of the joint. Be sure to follow the jig

profile as the slots are wider than the cutter bearings. This is
to allow for a rough and a finish pass.

8. Now it is time to make the “PINS” side of the joint.
9. Set the depth gauge to the desired length of the “PINS”. This

should be slightly greater than the thickness of the wood used
for the “TAILS” board. (FIG. 12)

Setting a HIGHER bit height

will produce a TIGHTER joint.

Setting a LOWER bit height

will produce a LOOSER joint.

FIG. 5

FIG. 6

FIG. 7

FIG. 8

FIG. 9

PINS

TAILS