When selecting a router to use with a Porter Cable dovetail jig, it’s important to select one that has enough power and is compatible with the particular jig you own. Fortunately, Porter Cable itself makes a line of routers that are specifically designed to be used with their dovetail jig.
The Porter Cable plunge router model #645 is their most popular model, as it features a 1-1/4 HP motor that is more than capable of finishing most dovetail routing jobs. This router also has a 5.625-inch plunge capacity and a rack and pinion fine depth adjustment, which helps to ensure accurate results.
Additionally, the router has a dual LED contractor system and a spindle lock that makes changing bits easy. In addition to the Porter Cable model, another option is the Bosch 1617EVSPK plunge and fixed-base router kit.
This is a 2.25HP router with a fixed base, one-touch setings, a side lock and macro selections that helps to make routing a breeze. The kit also comes with a variety motor adjustments and a dust-collection system, making it an ideal choice for work with a Porter Cable dovetail jig.
Ultimately, when selecting a router for a dovetail jig, it’s important to consider the power of the router and how easy it is to control. Both the Porter Cable and Bosch models offer great power and control, and are definitely worth considering when looking for a router for a dovetail jig.
How do you use a hand dovetail jig?
Using a hand dovetail jig requires taking a few important steps. First, ensure that the boards you plan on working with have been surface planed and milled down to their desired thickness. The material should also be straight and flat, with parallel surfaces.
After preparing the stock, you will need to adjust your jig for a proper fit. This includes adjusting the depth, width, and spacing of the tails and pins. Then, use a marking gauge to mark out the waste areas on the edge of the joint.
With your markings, position the jig on the edge and secure it in place.
Once the jig is secure, you will need to use a router to begin cutting the tails and pins. After the tails are cut, you can use a chisel to remove the marked areas on the edges. This will help the board fit together with a precise and clean look.
With the pieces jointed, use either a clamp or glue to hold the boards together.
If you do decide to use glue, make sure to allow plenty of time for it to dry. Once the glue has dried, use a sharp chisel and hammer to lightly tap the joint together. After the boards are connected, lightly sand the surface to make sure there are no rough edges or excessive glue residue on the joint.
With that, the hand dovetail jig is complete and ready for a finished look.
What are the disadvantages of a dovetail joint?
A dovetail joint is a popular and effective joinery technique commonly used to assemble furniture. However, there are some disadvantages to this joining method. Firstly, since the joint is constructed by cutting a series of pins and tails, it is quite time consuming and difficult to cut by hand.
A proper dovetail joint also requires specialized tools, such as a dovetail saw and a chisel. In contrast to other joints such as mortise and tenon, dovetail joints are also not suitable for flat surfaces and are therefore not suitable for lie-flat cabinet doors.
In addition, dovetail joints are not the most structurally sound joint for heavy-duty applications and may require reinforcement to provide additional strength. Finally, due to its complicated construction, the dovetail joint can be difficult to repair if it becomes damaged.
For these reasons, dovetail joints are most appropriate for certain lighter-duty construction applications.
How deep should a dovetail joint be?
When creating a dovetail joint, the depth is an important factor because it determines the strength of the joint. For traditional, hand-cut dovetails, a depth of 1/8 inch (3.175 mm) is recommended. This will create a joint with both strength and aesthetics.
For mass-produced dovetail joints, a deeper depth—up to 1/4 inch (6.35 mm) — may be used for added strength. However, if the joint is too deep, the dovetails may become too weak for the weight of the piece and could break or fall apart.
Additionally, too much depth may affect the aesthetics of the joint.
How do you make a half blind dovetail with Porter Cable jig?
The Porter Cable dovetail jig is an easy to use, versatile jig for creating a variety of dovetail joints. To make a half blind dovetail joint with it, you will need to follow these steps:
1. Start by cutting two pieces of wood you want to join with a saw, making sure they fit snugly together.
2. Determine which piece of wood is the “tail” and which is the “pin”. The tail piece should have the sockets or mortises cut into it, and the pins will have the male part of the joint.
3. Set up the jig by attaching it to the tail piece with the provided screws and a clopping block to keep the joint tight.
4. Mark the tails and pins on the face of the tail piece and trace them onto the edge of the pin board.
5. Cut out the pins with a handheld router and a dovetail bit. Make sure to use a stop block to keep the pins the same length.
6. Place the tail piece onto the jig again and clamp it in place.
7. Cut out the half-blind dovetail sockets with the same dovetail bit and a stop block to keep them the same depth.
8. Unclamp the tail piece and test the fit between the pins and sockets. Trim them to fit if needed.
9. Glue the two pieces together, inserting the pins into the sockets. Secure with clamps and let the glue dry.
10. Clean up any excess glue and you are finished with your half-blind dovetail joint.
What router bits do I need to make dovetail joints?
In order to make dovetail joints, the following router bits are necessary: a dovetail bit, a straight bit, a core box bit, a chamfer bit, and a bearing-guided round-over bit. The dovetail bit is the main component of the joint, and it should be selected based on the desired size of the joint.
The straight bit is necessary for cleaning out the waste material between the tails and pins of the joint, while the core box bit is used to cut the tails. The chamfer bit is used to add extra detail and decorative flair to the joint, and the bearing-guided round-over bit is used for rounding the outside edges.
With all of these pieces, making a dovetail joint is possible.
Is a dovetail jig worth it?
Yes, a dovetail jig can be a great investment for those looking to invest in quality joinery. A dovetail jig helps to cut perfect dovetailed joints which are extremely strong and look beautiful. This is a perfect choice for those looking to create furniture, cabinetry or other woodworking projects that require strong, long-lasting and aesthetically pleasing joints.
Dovetail jigs come in a variety of sizes and styles, making it easy to find one that fits your woodworking needs. They also come with adjustable cutters so you can create a variety of different types of dovetail joints including half-blind dovetails, full-blind dovetails and more.
The investment in a dovetail jig could save you a lot of time and effort because cutting dovetailed joints can be a difficult and time consuming process. With a dovetail jig you can create a professional quality joint in just minutes instead of hours or even days.
How do you load a 16 gauge Porter Cable nail gun?
Loading a 16 gauge Porter Cable nail gun is easy. First, ensure that the area is clear of all people and pets, as a staple gun can cause injury if not handled with care. Second, locate the magazine, which is usually located on the bottom and back of the gun.
Open the magazine cover by pushing the latch-based opener on the side of the magazine. Carefully slide the fastener strips into the magazine, ensuring that the square shaped heads of the fasteners line up with the notches in the magazine.
Close the magazine by pushing it back into the gun. Third, adjust the depth setting located on the nose of the gun so the edge of the fastener is flush with the material. Fourth, switch the safety in the forward position before firing.
Finally, when finished, switch the safety back to the rear position and engage the trigger lock.
What happened Porter Cable?
Porter Cable is an American producer of power tools and accessories, founded in Syracuse, New York, in 1906. The company was acquired by Stanely Black & Decker in 1989, and its products are now sold in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
In its early history, Porter Cable focused on manufacturing power tools and accessories such as lathes, drill presses, jointers, and routers. Its success in the woodworking industry led to the production of specialty power tools such as sanders, random orbital sanders, and planers.
Later, the company also added more general home tools to its lineup, such as wet/dry vacuums, generators, and pressure washers.
Porter Cable’s sales and manufacturing resources were enhanced after its acquisition by Stanley Black & Decker in 1989. The combined company has invested heavily in product innovations and improvements, with Porter Cable emerging as one of Stanley Black & Decker’s leading brands in the power tools and accessory categories.
With a focus on providing the best tools and service to its customers, Porter Cable continues to be a leader in the power tools space.
How do you change the belt on a Porter Cable bench sander?
Changing the belt on a Porter Cable bench sander requires some preparation. First, unplug the sander from the wall before you begin. Then, remove all of the nuts and bolts from the sander’s side plates.
Slide the side plates out, one at a time. Once the side plates are removed, you should be able to see the belt and pulleys.
For the next step, you will need to remove the old belt. You can do this by carefully slipping it off of the pulleys. Take care, as you don’t want to damage the pulleys or the new belt. After removing the belt, you can check the pulleys for damage or debris.
Once you’ve finished cleaning and inspecting the pulleys, it’s time to install the new belt. Start by maneuvering the belt onto the smaller pulley first, then onto the larger pulley. Make sure to keep the belt tracking in the correct direction so it’ll stay on.
Now, you can reattach the side plates with the nuts and bolts and plug the sander back into the wall. Finally, turn the sander on and check to make sure the belt is properly tracking. Once everything looks correct, you’re all set with your new belt.
