So, started using the Porter Cable 4212 Dovetail jig. Has been an interesting process seeing how this works. Here is a link to the jig :
Here are a few pics of what it looked like on my first attempt… don’t judge too harshly… it got better lol.
Ok, so … that was the first box. A lot went wrong with it… figured out that the direction the wood is naturally “bending / warped” needs to be accounted for. In the photo above, you can see that it’s popped away from the sides at the top. This was due partly to the way the wood is warped, I should have turned it the other way, so it’s tight at top and loose in the middle, the joint would then pull it tight. Also, the jig wasn’t set quite right, the router bit wasn’t set deep enough, and this taught me a VERY good lesson. Take the time to setup the jig extremely precise, and you will be rewarded with better results.
My second attempt went much better, this was using the jig to cut through dovetails, and not half blinds. Below are some images…
So, all in all, not horrible for the first hours of using the jig. I have to say after the third box, I am a fan of the Porter Cable jig. The third box built I will put into it’s own post… it’s actually going to be the box that holds the jig.
I’d suggest watching the video I linked above if you want a detailed overview of the jig in action. They also have a video for doing through dovetails as well, one of the better ones on youtube for the porter cable jig.
Very nice workshop!
Thanks, wish it was all finished lol. Lots of work still to be done, just sometimes I have to have some fun, and make something. I should really be painting the living room, or finishing the shop… ah well, there is always tomorrow, or so I tell the wife 🙂