[bfblack]

Several decades ago I made three workbench drawers using my new dovetail template. I recently blew the cob webs from the template, found my instructions and attempted to make some new dovetails for a piece of furniture. The manual said use a 7/16" pilot bushing with a depth of cut of 15/32". Unfortunately, with the dovetail bit I had, the smallest depth of cut is about 1/2" before the bit interferes with the ID of the pilot bushing. I (approximately) measured the angle of the (decades old) dovetails to be 11.8 degrees; they were made with Craftsman bit 25531 with no angle specified. My current bit was measured to be 12.8 degrees. Since 14 degrees is a common dovetail bit, perhaps 14 degrees is the correct angle; the bit is Bosch 85240. In the attached photo, the Craftsman bit has the longer shaft. You can see that the waist of the Craftsman bit is smaller than the Bosch bit. Any suggestions on a work around using currently available router bits would be appreciated.

 

[wbh1963]

Hello Ben,

Welcome to The Router Forums.

Dovetailing is something I haven't tried yet myself though I do have some interest in the technique and have done some research on it. My first attempts to make dovetail joints will most likely be of the type called 'sliding dovetail'.

I'm not sure whether the problem you are trying to find a work around for was an issue with 'depths' or 'angles'.

 

[jw2170]

Several decades ago I made three workbench drawers using my new dovetail template.

Hi Ben and welcome to the forum.

Some of these old templates were designed to work only with a specific proprietary router bit.

If you cannot locate your original older bit, or find an alternate bit on the web, it may be time to invest in a newer dovetail template, I believe there are a number of inexpensive models on the market at the moment.

It may be a wise investment in the "piece of furniture"

 

[bobj3]

2 flute, carbide tipped.
Dovetail joints are mechanically strong as well as decorative.

Perfect for making strong joints on drawers, boxes and furniture carcasses
.
Bits fit most popular jigs (see Leigh Jig equivalency chart below.) Makes sliding dovetails, half blind dovetails, French dovetails, etc. Item #5396 is designed to be used for Sears dovetail jigs.

#5396 1/2" 15º 1/2" 1/4" $8.00

MLCS dovetail, candlestand router bits

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Several decades ago I made three workbench drawers using my new dovetail template. I recently blew the cob webs from the template, found my instructions and attempted to make some new dovetails for a piece of furniture. The manual said use a 7/16" pilot bushing with a depth of cut of 15/32". Unfortunately, with the dovetail bit I had, the smallest depth of cut is about 1/2" before the bit interferes with the ID of the pilot bushing. I (approximately) measured the angle of the (decades old) dovetails to be 11.8 degrees; they were made with Craftsman bit 25531 with no angle specified. My current bit was measured to be 12.8 degrees. Since 14 degrees is a common dovetail bit, perhaps 14 degrees is the correct angle; the bit is Bosch 85240. In the attached photo, the Craftsman bit has the longer shaft. You can see that the waist of the Craftsman bit is smaller than the Bosch bit. Any suggestions on a work around using currently available router bits would be appreciated.

 

[Tagwatts]

I purchased my new dovetail jig on line at Ebay. It has two jigs with it. It is realtively new. Just go to Ebay and put in Dovetail Jigs and you can find a great assortment to look at and decide what is needed. Some of the older jigs, I would not purchase. However, there is a lot of new stuff out there.