Routing Half Blind Dovetails with a Jig

Chris Marshall demonstrates his process for using a router to cut half-blind dovetails using Rockler's Complete Dovetail Jig.
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[@davidevans2593]

Hi Chris, as a complete newcomer to dovetail jigs, this has really helped 👍,many thanks, David (UK) 👍

[@ChrisDurham-w2y]

Thanks for the really clear instruction Chris, I have tried and failed in the past but can now see why so am no longer afraid of Dovetail joints!

[@crusin73]

nice clear understandable video. I realize that this is a video on the Dovetail Jig. and as a first-time user I found that you left out a couple things. (1) the router base you can get from Rockler that will allow the guide to fit if the hole in your own router base is too big or small. (2) the Datto cut for the drawer bottom. if you cut it in with the table saw before cutting the Dovetails it may not be hidden on the outside of the drawer. and you will see a small hole at the bottom of the dovetails on every corner. the best way may be to use a router and cut it in after you cut the dove tails. yes, I found out the hard way but everything you explained here was spot on. actually, after setting up the left side of the jig, I just measured the stop to the outside gray steel body of the jig, and then matched up the measurements to the right side. it worked perfectly with my practice cut. I cut my first complete drawer today and it came out good using your technique. just want to say thanks.

[@robertball3578]

I like to see the fine tuning of adjustments (like we do in the real world), instead of editing so only the perfect job is shown. Keep on doing what you are doing!

[@gerardoluna962]

Great tutorial. Made me remember my first teacher at elementary 1 . A. B. and C. I’m very grateful. Keep it up. God bless.

[@sweetcharlie700]

Bought this Rockler dovetail jig more than a decade ago on sale. Never got around to use it until restoring an antique desk with a missing hidden drawer. Fantastic tutorial! Will be building mine drawer soon and I’m actually looking forward to it.

[@davidwisniewski1505]

Chris is the best at explaining the details. Thanks!

[@galland3496]

Wow, I don't feel worthy of passing a comment on this video ( dovetails ) but I really enjoyed watching the video, and you never know, I might just make some with a jig , although for the UK it would probably be a "Trend" jig, but they all seem to work on the same principle. Thank you !

[@jimrow6704]

Awesome help! Thanks for creating the video!

[@garyhome7101]

A very good tutorial. The real value with this jig is that once set, many joints can be manufactured with perfect accuracy over an over, speeding up productivity for large projects. I had a PC dovetail jig a few years ago - pretty much the same jig as here - and found the set up to be quite frustrating and very time consuming. If you look closely at the final test-fit in this video, you can see gaps along the seat of a couple of pins, which is likely due to not having the piece perfectly square in the jig. Not to mention the limitations of such a jig in lack of flexibility with sizing, as you are limited to the template sizes available, as well router bits and bushings. For me, I eventually just practiced hand cutting pins and tails until I built the skill necessary to cut tight joints; and while it does take some time to cut a few, I don't have to constantly go through a lengthy setup process that at times requires many micro adjustment to get it right, and I don't have to buy expensive templates for proper sizing and shape.

[@hobastank659]

Thank you step by step instructions

[@dennissmith5837]

Very nice video Chris.

[@stevecuthbert8856]

Easy and concise instructional video. I have a new Leigh TRJ400 thats been hanging on my wall for about a year and have not yet needed to make drawers but now after watching this I'll have more confidence in going through the process. Time to make saw dust. Thanks Chris.

[@hloworld]

Excellent tutorial. It explained the basic for the jig and helped me get started. I learned a few things after making a dozen or so drawers. If you route the groove for the drawer bottom before machining the dovetails, then it's easy make sure that the orientation is correct. The face and back of the drawer should always be on the top of the jig and the groove should face up. The sides of the drawer should be vertical on the jig and the groove should face out towards you. The groove of matching panels (i.e. 1-1, 2-2) being machined should be on the same side.

[@simon4043]

As always, Chris does a superbly clear and concise explanation. I've got an old Stanley jig that I finally know how to use!

[@frederickwatson557]

Good, clearly presented and explained instructions. Thanks, Chris

[@MrEsnyders]

Awesome review Sir thanks so much for sharing

[@robertpotter9506]

Chris I always enjoy your videos. I have the Rockler dovetail jig and I read in the manual that you can make box joints on it. But the manual is not very clear. Have you ever done box joints on the Rockler dovetail jig?. I know your video was made sometime ago. Thank you Bob

[@josephbrito6171]

This is a great video. Thank you for all the tips!

[@Chaosstorm2005vl]

Thank you Mr. Marshall. Great video and great advice!

[@carldavis6902]

I’m ordering one next week

[@kcjean827]

Super helpful information. That was a great lesson. Thanks Chris

[@nhschreiner]

Great video. One question. When cutting half blind dovetails for a 21“ deep drawer, how do you determine the final length of the side pieces?

[@charlesreicks648]

Good presentation.

[@michaela4141]

To adjust for too tight a fit you say to lower the router bit. So when the router is upside down you'd be raising the base to have less bit exposed?

[@lenturtle7954]

Do you need to orient the grain so the corners tighten if the board tries to warp

[@crusin73]

almost forgot. where can I get spare parts like the springs and dust collector broom attachment nuts?

[@spboyer01]

Great video, my rockler jig is coming out of the box this weekend. One questions, other videos I have watched suggest placing a sacrificial piece of wood on the jig underneath the horizontal board, you have not done that here, what is recommended sacrificial board or not?

[@crusin73]

I believe that is for thru dovetails. these are half dovetails. and I am brand new at this. but I also watched a few other videos.

[@GK-qz3cm]

I have the Bosch 1617 router. How is the guide for the Rockler dovetail jig mounted to the router? The base hole in router is way too large. Thank you.

[@HUNZY-qo3cv]

How long do you make your peices to get proper size box?

[@Axeman6409]

The router bits that came with mine doesn’t fit any of my routers. It’s too big. I already have five routers. Am I expected to buy a new one can you help me with this?

[@dustyimage981]

Question: do you need to use a new test piece for each small adjustment or will using the same test piece suffice?

[@crusin73]

after each one of my adjustments, I just cut off the end that had the dovetail cut in it and reused the same boards. the length 18" or shorter cut to the exact thickness and width is what matters. I found it hard to see the difference without starting fresh every time. My first time ever and I got it set in 4 tries combined left & right sides.

[@garychristiansen508]

Please provide a complete video for through dovetails with the Rockler dovetail jig. Instructions are very limited.

[@Kottesque]

Excellent video Chris, concise and well explained.. but what I don't understand is why Rockler aren't using THIS video on their website for instruction?

[@bilkimes6826]

does the guide bushing install on a fixed router base or is a plunge router needed?

[@crusin73]

Fixed. it did not fit in my 2.25hp Bosch. I had to buy the additional plate from Rockler. got it on Amazon. bolted it up to the router and the bushing for this jig fit perfectly.

[@deleishen]

good job

[@jordanpereira3727]

How thick is your material Chris?

[@shahbazkh2885]

Very nice

[@mikegallagher782]

Does anyone know if after you get the depth of cut and template position dialed in on the test pieces, will that same setup still work if the thickness of the board changes a bit? Say I use 3/4” to dial it in and my project stock is 7/8”, do I need to recalibrate depth and template?

[@crusin73]

it will not work. for your test piece it must be the same thickness and width as your actual wood you will be using on the drawers. for example, I am using 1/2" thick x 4" wide maple. my test boards mut have the exact same measurements. hope this helps. i just cut my first drawer today and pretty pleased with the results.,

[@ureasmith3049]

You get more for the money from the Porter cable jig. More templates, and they're made of steel for less money.

[@jasonnewell8858]

What if my boards are 11 1/2" since its a 12" jig. but the ends are just beyond the last socket? any suggestions?

[@crusin73]

my boards weren't that wide, but I did need to trim the width to align up in the jig. I guess you would have to do all the left side first with the right-side adjuster removed then reverse it to cut the right sides.

[@andrericardoantunes5752]

Sensacional explicação ! Parabéns

[@davidcoombs2072]

This guy not only sounds like Rodney from @watchitplayed the way he goes about explaining everything is so similar it is uncanny. Maybe a relative?

[@davidcoombs2072]

@WatchItPlayed

[@Mygames627]

Why don't rockler sell the parts for this jig ? I lost the original front clamp screws . I'm making hundreds of dovetails and the dust collector gets in the way.

[@jeffoldham668]

too much trouble setting it up,,i believe porter cable is the way to go for half blind dove tails

[@stratogarden9261]

i have a manual for directions and i already watched a youtube video on how to do it, and someone already demonstrated to me how it works and i still don't get it

[@tombryan720]

Don't feel bad, I've been looking for comments like this because it's way outta my league.

[@PtrOBrn]

why make half blind dove tails when the drawer body is going to be covered by a face? I thought the idea of the half blind was to hide the drawer sides while making the joint?

[@boots7859]

Are you looking at the same video I am? The half-blind hides the dovetails on the front face.

[@robertball3578]

The drawer front will be used as-is, without an additional drawer front.

[@mikejustice1196]

A lot of wasted time. Hand dove tails would probably be more efficient. Glad I watched the video. I definitely won’t be buying that Rockler

[@crusin73]

I bought it, and today is the very first time in my life cutting dovetails and the results were awesome using Chris's technique. I am very glad I got it. I have 8 kitchen drawers to make for our kitchen, and they definitely would not have been this nice without the jig.

[@nobiazcustomsinc5030]

That simple formula makes absolutely no sense lol

[@kevinfromspace]

this is just another ad for rockler

[@SgtBooker44]

He does them for the Leigh and Porter Cable too. kzbin.info/www/bejne/h6rJloeEg5iDY7M

[@crusin73]

if that's how you see it. I thought it was very informative for a first timer.