Got it wrong!

[mailee]

Hi guys. I am having a bit of trouble with a 'new' dovetail jig I am trying to use. The jig is the Nutool 12" one with a template that states 1/2" on it. I was given the jig without a cutter and guide so bought one from Axminster for there machine which also stated it was for the Nutool. It comes with a bearing already fitted to it. I set up the cutter and jig as per the instructions and all the joints were too tight. So tight in fact that they wouldn't even start! I raised the cutter as the instructions stated and they were still too tight! By the end I had raised the cutter so much that the bearing was just touching the top of the template and it was still too tight! I can't raise it any more without cutting into the template now. As a test i took the bearing off and just used the collar and ran this around the template and low and behold they fitted just a little slack? The bearing is the one stated at 12.7mm but the collar is way smaller than this! Anyone any ideas what it going wrong?

 

[DaveL]

Mailee,

I have an old Trend dovetail jig which uses a guide bush on the router base. You still need the correct cutter and I think you may have the right bearing but a cutter for a different jig.

 

[mailee]

Hi Dave, yes I was thinking along those lines. I am not sure what cutter/guide bush combination this jig uses. I saw this cutter in the Axminster catalogue and it stated it was for their own jig which looks identical, I guess I was wrong though. I have found the Nutool website and sent them an e-mail for information on it so I will see what they say. Many thanks for the input Dave.

 

[Scott]

Mailee

I have an old Screwfix jig that's like that. It's designed to be used with a plain dovetail cutter and a guide bush (afraid I can't remember the sizes and I'm not at home at the moment). I have also used it with the Perform bearing guided cutter for these Chaiwanese jigs but you need to clamp some 6mm mdf in between the top clamp/template and the pin board to be able to get the adjustment correct and have the bearing running on the template properly

HTH

 

[mailee]

Hi Scott, Well bug*%r me!, that is exactly what I had to do with mine too! I found that the bearing was sitting too high so added a 6mm MDF template below it. It was still wrong for the fit with the 12.7mm bearing on but just using the collet it is bang on! I can only guess that this jig was intended for use with a guide bush. I have almost the full range of Trend guide bushes for the Elu 96 but wouldn't you know it not the size I need. I got a reply from Nutool today which suggested I give them a call, which I did but there was no answer. Mind you it is Saturday so maybe I can get hold of them on Monday. I am keeping my fingers crossed. :?