Half blind dovetails too tight.

Hi,

I am using my Porter Cable dovetail jig for the first time. I am making half blind dovetails for shop cabinet drawers. I am using 1/2 inch thick baltic birch plywood. I have made a couple sets of joints made now but they seem ro fit very tightly. To dry fit them I have to pound them together with a hammer. The jig manual says to adjust the router to male a shallower cut if the fit is too tight. I have done this once and the new sample was also very tight. Do you think I am doing something wrong? any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks

Try decreasing the depth of cut just a bit (1/64 "). This will loosen up the dovetail. My router jig came with the following hint: Heighten/tighten Lower/loosen

If your joints come out too loose, add a bit more depth of cut.

4212?

Theres a quick instruction sticker on the left side of the jig.
Follow those.
You may have to adjust several times to get it correct.

You can't "go back and touch up" a half blind dovetail that is cut in a jig.

You should shoot for a joint just snug enough that you can rap it together with your hand and it will stay put.

1/2 blinds only have one adjustment and they can be a bit fussy. After 200 drawers it gets easier.

Joe

Attachment 449864Looking for a little help on this really old thread. What adjustment do I need to make on the jig/router to reduce the gap as show in the pic? Thanks!!!

Try raising the bit up

Ounce you have it set never use that router for anything else. Buy another router and use a 1/4" straight bit to rough out the dovetails.
Bill D

To clarify, make your bit stick out past the base plate a bit more.