JET Dovetail Jig or user issue?

[clay carr]

i am new to dovetailing so i may have some dumb questions:

i am using a jet dovetail jig and getting strange results.

i have followed the instruction to the "t" (spent all day yesterday and didnt get a good test peice) and my female joints (not correct term (pins and ???)) are very deep (too deep for the male joints). i am using a 14 degree 1/2" bit, 7/16" collar, 5/8" stock with the bit 7/8" below router base. i have backed off the distance fence to the stock but it seems like a balancing act. is there an easier way?

this isnt a half blind jig is it?

why do the instructions tell you to set the bit so you will shave into the metal jig (just barely but that seems strange).

the instructions seem to be written for 1/2" stock but they never tell you that....another thing that seems strange (the lack of not telling you the example stock setup).

[glenn bradley]

I'm not familiar with the Jet jig. Can you post a link to it or show us a pic? Wait a sec . . . is this it?

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41GW8WR9NWL._AA280_.jpg (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/images/B00006S7CG/ref=dp_image_0?ie=UTF8&n=228013&s=hi)

Looks a lot like a Rockler and the template shown is for half blind. A through template (if this is the style of jig you have) would have flared or "V" shaped fingers. Again, some pics would help. The Rockler manual that tech support sent me was much better than the one that came with the jig BTW.

[clay carr]

http://www.amazon.com/Jet-709060-12-Inch-Dovetail-Jig/dp/B00006S7CG

seems others are having my same issue. what is a great jig to get?

[joseph j shields]

http://www.amazon.com/Jet-709060-12-Inch-Dovetail-Jig/dp/B00006S7CG

seems others are having my same issue. what is a great jig to get?

Checkout this review...

http://www.taunton.com/finewoodworking/toolguide/toolguidearticle.aspx?id=27114

-jj

[Jim Kountz]

i am new to dovetailing so i may have some dumb questions:

i am using a jet dovetail jig and getting strange results.

i have followed the instruction to the "t" (spent all day yesterday and didnt get a good test peice) and my female joints (not correct term (pins and ???)) are very deep (too deep for the male joints). i am using a 14 degree 1/2" bit, 7/16" collar, 5/8" stock with the bit 7/8" below router base. i have backed off the distance fence to the stock but it seems like a balancing act. is there an easier way?

this isnt a half blind jig is it?

why do the instructions tell you to set the bit so you will shave into the metal jig (just barely but that seems strange).

the instructions seem to be written for 1/2" stock but they never tell you that....another thing that seems strange (the lack of not telling you the example stock setup).

Yes this is a half blind jig, and I dont know why in the world your instructions told you to cut into the metal at all. Mine didnt say that anywhere. You should never at any time run a bit into the metal even if the directions do tell you, DONT do that! Clear indication that something is not right with the setup. That being said, I have one of these jigs and get great results with it, others have had some troubles that I didnt understand so I guess your mileage will vary.

[glenn bradley]

http://www.amazon.com/Jet-709060-12-Inch-Dovetail-Jig/dp/B00006S7CG

seems others are having my same issue. what is a great jig to get?

I have the Rockler, which is very similar, and when I make machined dovetails it does fine. It does not setup as easily as better jigs but that's the difference between $100 and $400 tool, eh?

Unless you're gonna go in deep, I would work with your jig and see if you can get the results your after. By that I mean why get a jig that's just a little better? Then you are two so-so jigs worth of time and money down the road.

If I run into a situation where I am going to make that many dovetails I will go with a Leigh or other of that caliber. Till then, my cheep-o will get me by when I'm not doing them by hand. Just my .02.

[clay carr]

"I dont know why in the world your instructions told you to cut into the metal at all. Mine didnt say that anywhere. You should never at any time run a bit into the metal even if the directions do tell you, DONT do that! Clear indication that something is not right with the setup. That being said, I have one of these jigs and get great results with it, others have had some troubles that I didnt understand so I guess your mileage will vary."
__________________


read the reviews on amazon.com and you will see that im not the only one who wonders why they want you 7/8" deep...it would cut into the metal jig....I can post the instructions if you would like.

[Glenn Vaughn]

This looks like the same jig - instuctions at Rockler.

http://www.rockler.com/tech/RTD10000332AA.pdf

[Louie Ballis]

I pulled my hair out with the Rockler half blind dovetail jig, which looks alot like the Jet version. Not to mention ruining a whole lot of stock.

I have the Router Joint Jig System from Woodline USA. It cuts all kinds of half blind joints including (but not limited to) Dovetails. All on the router table.

Really ez to use and set up is a breeze. I dont know why they are not more popular.

[roman fedyk]

Get rid of it and get an Akeda. You will not be sorry. Easy to setup and use even for someone not familiar with dovetail jigs. You also won't be limited to half blinds, as it does through tails, box joints and sliding dovetails, all without buying a bunch of expensive templates. www.akeda.com

[Greg Wease]

The easiest fixed-width jig I have tried is the Porter-Cable 4212. The instructions are very clear and the jig itself is marked with many helpful hints. Of course, it's a bit more expensive than the Jet.

There are numerous comments on the web about the poor instructions for the Jet jig. It looks a lot like the old Rockler half-blind jig. If I remember correctly you set the bit at 9/16" below the base for that one. Try that setting then adjust the height to tighten or loosen the fit. If too tight, reduce the bit height; think "lessen to loosen". You'll eventually get it to work.

[Joe Scharle]

I just made a comment on another thread re: this jig....
Woodstock Manual
is the best manual I've seen on this style jig. With it, I can setup and cut perfect HB DTs in 30 minutes. Here's one place you can d-load. Grizzly..

http://cdn6.grizzly.com/manuals/h0983_m.pdf

BTW, I've used mine for vanity/kitchen drawers for years and it's my first choice for them. Best visual result will be with 1/2" sides; ends don't really matter.

The most benefit to be found in this manual is the base size / backstop fence setting. Someone put a lot of time on that.