Peter Collins, Woodcraft senior product manager, cuts a half-blind dovetail with a router and the new WoodRiver Deluxe Dovetail Jig.
Woodworkers who prefer to make dovetail joints by machine have a new option –Woodcraft has added the WoodRiver Deluxe Dovetail Jig to its line of router accessories.
“We wanted to create a dovetail jig that was easier to use and more ergonomic, with everything in a box so there are fewer decisions about what is needed to start creating beautiful dovetail joints,” Woodcraft senior product manager Peter Collins said. “The price is also very competitive in the market, which is part of the Woodcraft program to bring affordable, easy to use tools under the WoodRiver brand.”
The Dovetail Joint
Dating back to ancient Egypt and China, the two-part dovetail joint requires no mechanical fastener but is tight-fitting and attractive, making it a favorite for building furniture, cabinets, boxes and much more. Dovetail joints are a mark of craftsmanship that sets a project apart. However, precise alignment of the pins and mating tails is the key to beautiful dovetail joint construction.
Half-blind dovetail joints are not visible from the front end. Tails rest in sockets in the ends of the board that will be the front board in what is being built, often drawers.
The finger-like interlocking parts of through dovetails are visible from all outside surfaces. Through dovetails are used to join corners of frames, boxes, cabinets and more.
WoodRiver Deluxe Dovetail Jig – Easy To Use
This dovetail jig has a rigid steel body with molded resin end caps that feature accessory storage. Tubular steel clamping bars hold the workpiece in position while a CNC-machined steel template guides your router to make beautiful dovetail joints.
According to Collins, the new WoodRiver Deluxe Dovetail Jig makes it a simple process to align the dovetail pins for center, align the tails to the pins, and then rout both sides of the half-blind dovetail joint at the same time for a precise match every time.
“Features that make the jig more ergonomically friendly,” Collins said, “include a lever adjustment for the template height, a tall routing height that reduces the need for stooping, and onboard storage for accessories. Also, knobs rather than permanent fasteners are used for switching templates, which makes it easier to move from one template to another.”
The WoodRiver Deluxe Dovetail Jig accommodates material up to 12-1/2" wide and 1/2" to 1" thick.
The WoodRiver Deluxe Dovetail Jig comes with CNC-machined steel half-blind template, 1/2" x 14° router bit with 1/4" shank, 7/16" template guide bushing, lock nut, setup gauge and instructions.
A Through Dovetail Template is available separately and will expand the capabilities of your WoodRiver Deluxe Dovetail Jig to include exquisite through dovetail joints that will really make your boxes and drawers the envy of your fellow woodworkers. It comes with a CNC-machined steel template, as well as 1/2" x 8° router bit with 1/4" shank, 1/2" straight router bit with 1/4" shank, 1/2" template guide bushing and a lock nut.
If you have always wanted to build with dovetails but were never anxious to do it by hand, now’s your chance. Treat yourself to the new WoodRiver Deluxe Dovetail Jig, and build something to show off to your family and friends! Splurge and get the Through Dovetail Template for more dovetail options.
