Page 60 - Router Boss Manual

Sliding Dovetails
Sliding dovetails are a modified tenon that resists
the forces that could pull an ordinary mortise and ten-
on apart. The joint consists of a dovetail groove with a
matching dovetail cut on the tenon-portion. A sliding
dovetail is an excellent joint for joining bookcase shelves
to the side of the carcass. They can be cut through for
a decorative effect (as shown here), or stopped short of
the edge of the side and the tenon trimmed slightly so
the joint is hidden.

Cut the groove
To cut a sliding dovetail, start by mounting the
stock on a workpiece holder or the optional mortising
table. Position the bit so it’s centered on the workpiece
and deep enough so that the narrow portion of the ten-
on tail won’t be too thin/weak. For the example shown
here, we used a 3/8” dovetail bit and cut a groove ap- Bit centered
proximately 1/4” deep. Once you have the bit posi- on thickness of stock
tioned, set the router depth stop and tighten the router
plate locking knob. Then turn on the router and use the
power feed crank handle to feed the wood past the bit.

With the dovetail groove cut, you’ll need to
change the machine set up to the standard fixed fence
and clamping block configuration. (DON’T change
the router’s plunge stop setting.) Clamp a test piece of Bit centered
stock the same thickness as your workpiece against the on thickness of stock
fence with the end butted against the underside of the
base plate and the face squarely against the face of the
machine. Loosen the router plate locking knob and po-
sition the bit so it’s centered on the stock, then retighten
the locking knob. With the bit clear of the stock, turn
the router on and then feed the stock into the bit slightly
more than half its diameter (see inset).

Now, raise the router and move it so the edge of
the bit just aligns with the edge of the dovetail notch
(inset) you just cut and tighten the router plate locking
knob. It’s best to set it slightly proud and fine-tune the
cut on a second try if necessary. When you are satis-
fied with the position of the bit, move the bit clear of
the stock, turn on the router and feed the stock past the
bit, cutting from right to left (as shown - the climb cut
eliminates tear-out).

60