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Dovetail Fixture for drawer construction

33K views 31 replies 14 participants last post by  Al B Thayer  
#1 ·
I made a fixture for cutting dovetails about 28 years ago. Thought of some changes I could make to the tired old bird.

We have a few things now we didn't back then. Like these swanky cam levers. They really work well even for us old guys.

This fixture is designed to build drawers. It's not meant to be a end all do all dovetail machine. Just a fast method for making drawers as it cuts both pieces at the same time.

https://youtu.be/vq7fl1P6xck

Al
 

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#10 ·
Paul

I believe cam lever clamps is correct. I searched the net over and came back to Rochler Supply for these. $10 a pair. Two sizes. 1/4-20 and 5/16-18. I used the bigger of the two.

This style allows the screw to come thru the lever a little longer than the other styles I found.

Al
 
#17 ·
Easy peasy

Was this a hard jig to make?

The cam clamps look like the ones at Rockler?
When I was a younger man I built a fixture like this. It was not hard but you need to be accurate when making the "comb" template. In the process of doing this you learn how to make box joints. So there is that added benefit.

I've designed it to be easier to build and set up. And yes the cam levers are from Rockler. Which adds $20 bucks to the cost. But the rest is found in your shop and at the blue box store. I have a detailed list.

Al
 

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#18 ·
Well when I first clicked on this thread, one of the posted entries had a comment of "a master woodworker makes it look like no errors were made." I do not see that one now that I have signed in.

Bob must have been a really good master woodworker as I am still wondering how many times he had to do a set of dovetails on camera for one to come out?

I must not be a woodworker period!! I wasted three sets of expensive lumber (and using two different dovetail jig plates), and finally cut all the pieces and lap jointed them together for enough stock for the intended sized box, screwing or nailing things together. It is far from the intended show off piece but it keeps the dust off.
I'll just stick with metalworking! Thank You very much.
 
#20 ·
This looks like a really good jig for the job and the set you made looks as good as you could get. Its not quite clear how you build the jig or how the set up works to fix the correct offset so the two parts will fit accurately.

I am new to routers and only bought my first ones last year (De Walt 625, UJK table and later Trition A001 to use in the table as its easier to change the bits than with the De Walt). So far all I have done is to make a few fences and some skirting boards for our house in France. I had a lot of trouble getting a good finish on the skirting (MDF) as it came out rather "fuzzy" on the surface. It seemed best with the first trial piece I made when I did it in one pass even thought this removed a lot of waste in one go. When I did more using several passes of about 3mm each cut it wasn't as good. I also made a set of stairs for the bathroom having made a jig to cut the stringers and that worked pretty well.

I would quite like to try and make this jig. Are there drawings available?

Thanks for the tips so far.

I have attached a few pics of the skirting,the tilted fence I made for it and the stairs etc.

Mike (UK, France and Cyprus (but no workshop in Cyprus or UK)
 

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#21 ·
Easy as cake



Mike
The fixture is very easy to build and as I have said earlier in the thread. Its a good project for a new woodworker because you will learn a few things about woodworking in the process.

The fixture sets both pieces in the correct position so that when the cut is made you are cutting both mating pieces at the same time. Therefore, they both mate up perfectly every time.

The fixture adjusts to the thickness of the stock you are working with without having to actually measure the stock. There is a full set of instructions that tell you how to set it to get started. You then cut two scrap pieces of the same thickness to make the needed micro adjustments before cutting the wood for your project.

Did you watch the video?

Al
 
#22 ·
Phrolic in Phenolic

Well I found some phenolic on ebay of the paper based kind. Price was right so I bought it and slapped the finger joint fixture on the table saw (miter gauge with scrap wood screwed to it) and cut a new "comb" template.

I found the material cut well but not as pleasantly as wood and sanding would have left a less than desirable look. So I just cleaned it up the best I could without changing the factory finish. Bet it wears like iron.

Anyone want to comment on their experience with this material?

Al
 

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