Woodhaven 7600-7603: Dovetail Jigs User Manual

Page 3

STOP POSITION

The position of the stop controls the location for the groove

for the drawer bottom, which is normally centered in the first
dovetail socket from the bottom so it is hidden after assembly. The
bottom of the groove is usually between 1/4" (for side mounted
drawer glides) to 1/2" (for bottom mounted drawer guides) from
the bottom edge of the drawer. If you set the stop for a 1/4" mar-
gin, you may cut into the stop slightly, which is OK. Once you’ve
established the stop position needed, cut the drawer stock to a
width that will give you a full pin & socket at the top of the draw-
er. See fig. 20.

RABBETED DRAWERS

Rabbeted drawers are drawers with a face that over laps the

cabinet face. The other three drawer parts (both sides and the back)
are of equal width. For a faster way to make Rabbeted drawers see
the QUICK RABBETED DRAWERS section.

The width of the rabbeted drawer front, measured between

rabbets, should equal the width of the drawer sides and back. The
length of the rabbeted drawer front, measured between rabbets,
should equal the length of the drawer back. See pg. 10.

A rabbeted drawer front and its adjoining sides must be cut

in separate operations, unlike the parts for a Standard drawer. The
remaining sides and back parts are cut like a Standard drawer, in
pairs. A Rabbeted drawer will require six setups, one setup (x 2)
for each rear drawer corner and two setups (x 2) for each front
drawer corner.

Rout the mating dovetails into the two front ends of the

adjoining drawer sides. Clamp a piece of scrap where the drawer
front usually goes, against the drawer side, to prevent tear out.

The rabbet in the drawer front should be at least 5/16" deep

to clear the dovetail bit. The end of the drawer should be indexed
so the shoulder of the rabbet is aligned with the front of the Ultra
Track. You’ll need to make an indexing block to position the
drawer front correctly. Cut a piece of scrap with the same width
rabbet as the drawer front and clamp it in the front of the dovetail
jig where the side would normally go. Slide the drawer front for-
ward to index its front edge against the rabbeted lip in the indexing
block and tighten the top clamps. See fig. 21A. Rout both ends of
the rabbeted drawer front this way.

The bottom edge of rabbeted drawer front must be indexed

against the stop pin, with an additional spacer placed between the
rabbeted edge and the stop pin to offset it correctly. For example,
if you have a 3/8" wide rabbet and you’re using the standard 7/16"
dovetail template, you’ll need a 7/8" wide spacer. See fig. 21B.

QUICK RABBETED DRAWERS

Instead of making a Rabbeted drawer, make a Standard

drawer with the drawer front made of the same wood species as
the desired rabbeted drawer would be. After assembling the drawer
glue a larger drawer front to the standard drawer front. This pro-
vides the same appearance as a one-piece rabbeted drawer, but is
quicker and easier to make.

©Copyright WOODHAVEN INC. 11/8/10

(800) 344-6657 or WWW.WOODHAVEN.COM

1/4” Stop Setting

1/2” Stop Setting

1/4” Stop Setting

1/2” Stop Setting

21A

21B

Indexing

block

same

plane

7/8”

spacer