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New here & wondering...

2K views 5 replies 3 participants last post by  shopsmithtom 
#1 ·
Hi everyone. I'm new enough that I'm still getting the feel for this site. It looks like it really has a lot to offer. I posted a question the other day in the router bits area, and wasn't successful in finding an answer, so I thought that maybe using a less specific forum might attract someone who can help.

But first, a little background on my level of router knowledge. (This way you'll know to use words of one syllable or less so I can understand) I own 2 Craftsman routers; one I bought new about 30 years ago(time really flies) & is mounted to a basic table, and one is from a garage sale last year. The first is VERY basic, and the second has 2 side handles & trigger on/off button & a light...this is big for me.
I've done some basic decorative edging & limited dovetail work with success, but that's about it.

I've become an avid reader of Fine Woodworking Mag recently & realize that there's a whole 'nother world out there...a router world...& plunge routers, wow am I out of touch.

Ok, now that everyone's up to speed, here's what brought me to this site.
I recently got a really great deal on a Craftsman #925450 Professional (they call it) Dovetail fixture. It came assembled (thank God) and with the templates for 1/2 blind & through dovetails & 2 sizes of box joints, and the necessary router bushings, but without the bits referenced in the manual.

I tried some 1/2 blind dovetails with a standard 1/2" dovetail bit that I had & they came out perfect, so I'm good there, & I think that I'll also need a 1/4" & 1/2" straight bit for the through dovetails & box joints, but before I start chewing up wood, I thought I'd check to see if there's anyone here that is familiar w/ Craftsman stuff & can tell me what the old part #'s reference.
The bit #'s mentioned in the manual are: 25414, 25415, 25505, and 26318.

These must be obsolete #'s as they don't come up when I look at the Sears site. Can anyone here confirm what these #'s are & save a lot of wood from being turned to chips unnecessarily? (think green, right?)

Well, that was a really long ways to go to get to my question, & for anyone reading this that's still awake, I'm glad to have found this site & look forward participating. -SST
 
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#2 ·
Hi Tom,

Sometimes, threads get pushed down and people don't see them. The numbers listed are obsolete from sears. I'm having to go by memory here, I'd have to check into my craftsmen DT machine but, I think you need to add the 3/8" straight as well. I'll check on mine tomorrow. :)
 
#3 ·
Hi Tom welcome to the forums. Sorry we missed your first post but glad you are back:happy:.
You may think you are green but ya way ahead of me. I just ordered my first dovetail jig yesterday.
There are a couple (at least) of Craftman fans in here and I'm sure one of them will chime in with some information. When I was researching dovetail jigs though I didn't think Craftsman jigs required any special bit for their jig (surprising for Craftsman):laugh:. If it requires template bushings I would think that any dovetail bit of the correct size would be OK.
Good luck and looking forward to hearing more from you.
 
#4 ·
Hi John,

Craftsmen does have their own bushings for their DT jig. Mine, the pro model, has 2 different bushing sets. I can't answer for the Leigh or PC DT machines.

Again, I'll check mine tomorrow for the proper bits. :)
 
#5 · (Edited)
Hi Tom,

I did some looking into my manual. Mine specifically states, to use only a 1/4" straight bit, a 9/16" DT, and 1/2" DT bits.

The numbers you posted match as the following. 1/4" straight, 171.25415
9/16" DT, 171.25414, 1/2" DT, 171.25505, 1/2" DT HSS, 171.26318. The angle for the DT's are as follows, 9/16" is 7.5*, both 1/2" DT's are 15*. You can substitute the bits so long as they are the same size and taper.

Hope this helps. :)
 
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