INCRA Jig - Manual (Page 13)

13
Install the template
After centering as shown on Pages 8 & 9, select and install the
Dovetail Template. (Refer to Page 16 and Figs. 33 & 33A).
Tail Cuts
Clamp the two tail boards to your Right Angle Fixture with a backing
board as shown in Fig. 51 and make the tail series of cuts. Use the
shorter of your stock lengths for the tails. The first cut for any tail
board will always remove the edge of the stock. To keep this first cut
clean and splinter-free, it’s a good idea to start with a 1/32” scoring
pass, then sneak up to the first visible mark on the template in one or
two passes. The first visible mark determines which cut lines to use
on the template for the remainder of the tail cuts. Make the tail series
of cuts across the width of your material. After completing the cuts,
flip the boards end for end and repeat the cuts.
Pin Cuts
After completing the tail cuts, clamp the two long pieces of material to
the Right Angle Fixture with a backing board as shown in Fig. 52 and
make the vertical series of cuts for your pin boards. Remember, if you
used the “B” cuts when cutting the tails, you’ll use the “A” cuts for the
pins and visa versa. After completing the cuts across one end of your
boards, flip the material over and repeat the vertical pin series of cuts.
Now, we’ll repeat the pin series of cuts again. This time with the material face down
on the table. Return your INCRA Jig to the first pin cut on the template. With the
router off, slide one of the pieces to nest the cutter inside the existing cut. You need
to stop the cut just before the cutter contacts the end of the existing cut. Slide a stop
positioner up to the end of the board and clamp in place, Fig. 53. Slide the board
back away from the cutter, turn the router on and using a rubber soled push block,
make the horizontal pin series of cuts on both ends of both boards, Fig. 54.
If you try to assemble your pin and tail pieces at this moment, you would find that a
small triangle of wood blocks the two pieces from sliding together. To complete the
joint, all that you need to do is whittle off this triangle of wood. This can be
accomplished with a pocket knife, a razor knife or a chisel. Just follow the line of the
cut that was started straight back into the corner, Figs. 55 and 56. Now assemble for
a perfect through dovetail.
Through Dovetail
Through dovetails
Through Dovetails
When preparing stock for a through dovetail, always remember that the stock thickness
must be equal to or slightly less than the depth of cut. It is a good idea to FIRST set your
router bit depth of cut as described on page 7 before preparing your stock, since you must
make the stock match the cutter depth. You cannot raise or lower the cutter to match your
stock thickness! Follow the instructions below to add this traditional interlocking joint to
your skills resume.
Fig. 51
Fig. 52
Fig. 53
Cut the tails
Pin cuts - vertical series
Pin cuts - set the stop
Two SHORT sides
with backing board
Two LONG sides with
backing board
Fig. 55 Pin cuts - remove tabs
Whittle off these triangles of
wood from each pin.
Cut straight back to corner
Fig. 56 Completed pin cuts
Fig. 54 Pin cuts - horizontal series
See detail in Fig. 55