Dovetails

[Tim Lucas]

I have a Leigh 24" dovetail jig and I was just watching a video of a bot cutting dovetails. They have a clamp holding the boards at the end of the table, is that an accessory purchased from Shop Bot?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Aw4lElTecg

[Gary Campbell]

Try Here: http://www.shopbotblog.com/index.php/2008/08/dovetail-and-mortise-jig/

[myxpykalix]

You can make one yourself like Gary shows you or you can go here

Here is a good video to see how to make a good vertical vise to do what you want:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qzxub_SOsFI


http://www.legacycncwoodworking.com/demo-videos/
Introducing the NEW Mini Arty CNC and at approx: 4:30 in the video they show one you can make fairly simply.

http://www.legacycncwoodworking.com/demo-videos/?currentPage=3
Machining Through Dovetails

This company SUCKS but they do have some decent videos

[Brian Harnett]

I did a thread a while back on my pneumatic clamping system for dovetails at the end of the table, works well for tenons and mortising also.

http://www.talkshopbot.com/forum/showthread.php?t=19242

[myxpykalix]

Brian we all can't be as "Fancy-Schmancy" as you:D lol

I don't think i had seen that video. The one i remember is cutting tenons on stock? You definitely got the automation part of doing it downpat.

What it was a bit confused by was, it looked like you initially put your stock in and it held it from falling, then you position where you want it, then it held it tight for cutting.

Was that the reason for double pistons? One held lightly the other tight?
Regarding toolpaths, I would assume that your bit has a set start point but depending on the height of the drawer you are making that is a different toolpath? Excellent setup Brian:D

[Brian Harnett]

Jack, I did not have a stop for the drawer sides so I initially clamped them pushed the face up to them released and set the side flush to the front to establish height.

Hope that makes sense if I was doing a lot I would have taken the time to make a stop.

The dual pistons flatten the wood down the drawers were 13" wide.

[myxpykalix]

Yes, as i watch and thought about what you wrote it made sense. I guess that was better then a set stop since your fingers are a better gauge to set height to account for any irregularities.:D

[adrianm]

Or you could try the new Bill Young inspired Vectric Dovetail gadget to do them on the flat with no special tools.

They're not showroom quality dovetails but they work.

http://gadgets.vectric.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8

[scottp55]

Thanks Adrian! Somehow missed that it was officially out. That's how my Maker Crate corner bracing was made, very strong and rigid in 1/2 " ply.
Thanks Bill!

[Ger21]

I'm hoping to release my new dovetail program in the next few weeks, that does "real" dovetails, both through and halfblind.
A little more info here:
http://www.talkshopbot.com/forum/showthread.php?t=19881

[myxpykalix]

Gerry,
They look great...just make sure you make the interface simple enough for some of us who get frustrated when we can't figure something out!:D
good job