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Gene
 
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Default Harbor freight dovetail jig

War story...

Got a Harbor Freight (Central Machinery) dovetail jig as a gift about a
year ago. Finally had a need to build some drawers. Use the jig!
Open the box. Looks good. Template is heavy metal. Adjustments are a
tad awkward, but ok.

The comb template has 1/2" spaces and 1/2" teeth. Instructions say to
use a 7/16" guide bushing and "1/2 inch dovetail bit". I did this and
ran some tests. Not even close. The pins are huge compared to the
sockets.

Did the math. Turns out the 14 degree router bit I bought, is WRONG.
An 8 degree bit will work correctly with the specified depth setting of
23/32" for 1/2" high pins. Or you can set the 14 degree bit depth to
17/32", but the pins will be only 1/4" high! Nice for, say, jewelry
boxes of thin stock; not drawers.

Moral: If you buy the HF jig, get an 8 degree bit!

Hope this saves someone somewhere some hassle!

Cheers,
Gene

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