Dove Tail Jig

[leehljp]

After watching a video on dovetails for a router table, I decided to get one but I was blown away at the prices for a simple pins and tails template.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=viT3ZGAlzNw

AS I began to look at a simple pins and tails template for making the jig as show in the you tube, I decided to purchase a MilesCraft template. It was $44.99 when I bought it but it is $54.95 now.

https://www.amazon.com/Milescraft-1218-Endless-Project-specific-Dovetail/dp/B079Y3PJ1C/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=MIlescraft+dovetail+template&qid=1611443144&s=hi&sr=1-1

Here are the two sets that I made: The bottom one is just after I cut the frame an before I sanded the pins. I was somewhat surprised at how nice it came out. It will be a couple of weeks before I have time to make anything with it.






Your dovetail usage and experiences?

[twistsol]

The jigs you made with that kit look astonishingly similar to my $299 Sommerfeld dovetail jig. I wonder what I would have done with the addtional $250? The only advantage mine has is that I can vary the spacing of the dovetails. With a little effort though, you could accomplish that as well and make a set of jigs for each of the various drawer heights necessary.

I also like that you can extend the width pretty much infinitely.

[atgcpaul]

I used the HF DT jig almost 20 years ago for a bunch of kitchen drawers. Not fancy, not forgiving, but it worked and wasn't expensive. That's the last DT jig I've used as I prefer other drawer assembly methods now--pocket screws with an applied front or dominoes, or if it's a special project, hand cut DTs.

[leehljp]

Chris, After making this one, my mind has been running wild thinking of possibilities of other templates, but I am learning quite a bit. My mind is more creative than practical. I was trying to figure out how to use some with 1/2 in. shank bits (I have more than twice as many 1/2 in bits than 1/4 inch). Then it dawned on me that shank bearings on a 1/2 Inch bits wouldn't work from a router table because the guide bearings would have to be 3/4" at the least.

I do prefer using the router table than a router on a jig stand. There are too many configurations for my mind to handle with a jig that clamps two boards at a time where the thickness has to be taken into account also.

I used the HF DT jig almost 20 years ago for a bunch of kitchen drawers. Not fancy, not forgiving, but it worked and wasn't expensive. That's the last DT jig I've used as I prefer other drawer assembly methods now--pocket screws with an applied front or dominoes, or if it's a special project, hand cut DTs.

I have one from HF, but after reading the instructions twice, I just gave up. The YouTube video in the OP is SO SIMPLE!