Router Forums banner
Cancel

Routing Dovetail slot cribbage board

2654 Views 13 Replies 4 Participants Last post by  TenGees, 
C
Hi All.....

I'm trying to rout a dovetail slot on the bottom of a cribbage board with a corresponding dovetail slid to hide the pegs. I'll use small magnets to hold the slide in place.

I have a Veritas router table.

I want to do this as safe as possible, seems like I'd need to do climb cuts on all the cuts (makes me a bit nervous).

Does anyone have advice on the cuts?

Thanks to all for looking and a prosperous 2019......
Reply
Save
Like
1 - 14 of 14 Posts
Cherryville Chuck
Ed how were you planning on doing this? Are you doing stopped dovetails on the case? That of course would leave rounded corners where you crossover and comeback to the open mouth. If that's what the problem is then I would suggest that you go all the way through and then mill a piece to blank off the one end instead which means you don't need to climb cut.
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
Reactions: 1
C
I was planning to chisel the rounded end, I'd rather than routing all the way thru. I'd also chisel a fingernail "hold" in the dovetail slide.

Thanks for replying Chuck.....
Reply
Save
Like
Danman1957
Ed,

Can you use a bit that would do it in one pass ? Usually the openings aren't that big !
I would do it on the table with a stop block and then either leave the end round and rout the piece to also be rounded or as you stated use a chisel to square it. If you do it in one pass you wouldn't have to step it. I mean one pass on the width, you can do several on the depth.

Dan
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
Reactions: 1
C
Thanks Dan, the dovetail bit I have now is 1/2 inch, I was looking to make the slot approximately 7/8 inch.

I should have looked, they do make 7/8 inch dovetail bits, a bit pricey but probably the way to go.

How about making the matching dovetail sliding key? Table saw angle cuts?
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
Reactions: 1
TenGees
If you need to make more than one pass for the width, cut the pass furthest from you first. Then move the fence away from the bit for the next, etc. Use a stop block to limit the length of the slot. Use a featherboard! Adjust it for each pass. You can't lift the piece when finished a pass, especially the first one. So I guess I would stop the router, loosen the featherboard and back the piece out. Practice on a scrap first.

I made a projectile once while slightly widening a slot on the climb-cutting side, without a featherboard... exciting!

Attachments

See less See more
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
Reactions: 2
Cherryville Chuck
You can chisel the rounded corners square but chiseling in the dovetail could be tricky. You have to chisel in from two directions at each corner. Another option besides a dovetail would be a slot. They are a bit hard to find but there are slot cutters that have flat tops (no bearing or nut exposed). Of course all of this is much simpler if you just glue a lot of separate pieces together.
Reply
Save
Like
C
Sounds like a plan, I'll try this first, thanks for the diagram!

I happen to have a magnetic featherboard for my router table.

I've gotten the corners square or within my tolerances using several sizes of sharp chisels.

Thanks Guys.....I
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
Reactions: 1
C
Hi Paul.....

Just finished a 1-inch dovetail in the cribbage board end using your instructions. Worked great! Thank you so much, really appreciated the helping hand.

My little project is coming along nicely.
Reply
Save
Like
TenGees
chiefifd32 said:
Hi Paul.....

Just finished a 1-inch dovetail in the cribbage board end using your instructions. Worked great! Thank you so much, really appreciated the helping hand.

My little project is coming along nicely.
Click to expand...
I'm glad that it worked out for you, Ed. Post pics of your completed board.
Reply
Save
Like
TenGees
2
Cherryville Chuck said:
...They are a bit hard to find but there are slot cutters that have flat tops (no bearing or nut exposed). Of course all of this is much simpler if you just glue a lot of separate pieces together.
Click to expand...
Charles, you mean like the old pencil boxes, that would be nice. I guess a keyhole bit would require too thick of a cover. They must have had a custom one pass cutter for those pencil cases. You could make a groove simply, if it was separate pieces.

Attachments

See less See more
Reply
Save
Like
C
I'm hoping to get a few minutes over the weekend to complete it. I'll put a photo or two of it when it's done.
Thank you again for the help.
Reply
Save
Like
C
4
Well, not too bad for my first attempt. Some of the holes aren't perfect, I don't have a drill press. Overall I'm happy with it, there's enough storage for 6 pegs I bought from Rockler.

The board is curly maple.

I'm going to finish it with tung oil & a few light coats of shellac.

I'll try my hand at carving pegs, not sure how that will go....

Thanks for looking
Ed

Attachments

See less See more
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
Reactions: 2
TenGees
Looking good, Ed. Nice looking wood which should 'pop' with a finish on it.
Reply
Save
Like
1 - 14 of 14 Posts
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Router Forums
A forum community dedicated to router and woodworking professionals and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about different types of routing and routers, shop safety, finishing, woodworking related topics, styles, tools, scales, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
New Member Introductions Tools and Woodworking General Routing Table-mounted Routing Show N' Tell
Top