Greetings,
I want to apologize up front if some of what I say is confusing because as of this writing I am confused as to how to make sense of what I need to know. Please bear with me.
I recently acquired a Porter Cable 4216 Dovetail Jig which comes with four Bits and have had very good results making (practicing) on small drawers. My interest however lay in box joints. That said, on Page 22 of the Manual it reads thusly:
ITEMS NEEDED:
Through Dovetail and Box Joint Template
1/2" diameter straight bit (not provided)
Length of the cutter must be at least
the thickness of the workpiece.
3/4" O.D. Template Guide, 42040
Template Guide Lock Nut, 42239
ITEMS NEEDED FOR MINIATURE:
Miniature Dovetail Template
1/4" diameter straight bit (not provided)
At least 1/2" long cutter
3/8" O.D. Template Guide, 42037
Template Guide Lock Nut, 42239
This is on Page 22 of the attached Manual.
Note that PC says they do not provide the appropriate Router Bit. However, they do provide two Bits for the Miniature, their P/N's 43777PC and 43014PC. There is very little information provided on either Bit. I just now noticed at one site that the 43777PC has been discontinued. Just wonderful.
In any event I do not want to lock myself down to Porter Cable Bits. PC is not what they were ten or fifteen years ago. I believe they are on their death bed and based on the off-shore support I dealt with today twice it really leaves little question in my mind.
Since PC states only "Straight Bit, not included" for both types of boxes, I purchased a Freud 12-118 Bit for the larger boxes (1" spacing). Neither PC nor Freud could confirm that this would work with the PC template for the larger boxes.
I reached out to Freud and asked for a 1/4" version of the 12-118 and was told their P/N 04-133 would be the 1/4" equivalent. However, he wanted to verify that so he asked for the specs on the PC 1/4" straight Bit and came back with: "The bit they show is 13/32” diameter, and I’m afraid we do not have an exact match. We have 3/8”, which is our item number 04-126, or 7/16” which is 04-129. I’m sorry we can’t get closer to what you need.".
I am wide open to suggestions as to another Manufacturer who makes Bits that will allow me to make both large boxes and Miniature. My hope is that someone who has made large and small boxes with the PC Jig can confirm that the Freud 12-118 will suffice for the large boxes and if not what will work. Again, I just don't want to be locked into PC.
Thank you for taking the time to read this long Thread
Best,
Lyman
I want to apologize up front if some of what I say is confusing because as of this writing I am confused as to how to make sense of what I need to know. Please bear with me.
I recently acquired a Porter Cable 4216 Dovetail Jig which comes with four Bits and have had very good results making (practicing) on small drawers. My interest however lay in box joints. That said, on Page 22 of the Manual it reads thusly:
ITEMS NEEDED:
Through Dovetail and Box Joint Template
1/2" diameter straight bit (not provided)
Length of the cutter must be at least
the thickness of the workpiece.
3/4" O.D. Template Guide, 42040
Template Guide Lock Nut, 42239
ITEMS NEEDED FOR MINIATURE:
Miniature Dovetail Template
1/4" diameter straight bit (not provided)
At least 1/2" long cutter
3/8" O.D. Template Guide, 42037
Template Guide Lock Nut, 42239
This is on Page 22 of the attached Manual.
Note that PC says they do not provide the appropriate Router Bit. However, they do provide two Bits for the Miniature, their P/N's 43777PC and 43014PC. There is very little information provided on either Bit. I just now noticed at one site that the 43777PC has been discontinued. Just wonderful.
In any event I do not want to lock myself down to Porter Cable Bits. PC is not what they were ten or fifteen years ago. I believe they are on their death bed and based on the off-shore support I dealt with today twice it really leaves little question in my mind.
Since PC states only "Straight Bit, not included" for both types of boxes, I purchased a Freud 12-118 Bit for the larger boxes (1" spacing). Neither PC nor Freud could confirm that this would work with the PC template for the larger boxes.
I reached out to Freud and asked for a 1/4" version of the 12-118 and was told their P/N 04-133 would be the 1/4" equivalent. However, he wanted to verify that so he asked for the specs on the PC 1/4" straight Bit and came back with: "The bit they show is 13/32” diameter, and I’m afraid we do not have an exact match. We have 3/8”, which is our item number 04-126, or 7/16” which is 04-129. I’m sorry we can’t get closer to what you need.".
I am wide open to suggestions as to another Manufacturer who makes Bits that will allow me to make both large boxes and Miniature. My hope is that someone who has made large and small boxes with the PC Jig can confirm that the Freud 12-118 will suffice for the large boxes and if not what will work. Again, I just don't want to be locked into PC.
Thank you for taking the time to read this long Thread
Best,
Lyman
Attachments
-
1.9 MB Views: 83