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The DJ300 Dovetail Jig is a versatile accessory which enables any router user to create traditional dovetail and other joints with a router .
DJ300 dovetail jig
Dovetail joints are recognised as one of the strongest and most attractive ways to join timber , but cutting a dovetail by hand is difficult and time consuming . The combination of the DJ300 Dovetail jig and a router such as the Trend T5 enables dovetail joints to be produced easily with perfect accuracy , in a fraction of the time .
The jig features a precision engineered design to ensure that the ‘ tails ’ and ‘ pins ’ are cut with identical pitch angles and spacing . It contains everything needed to start making dovetail joints with your router . The base assembly has workbench fixings and strong clamps for the workpieces . The adjustable metal end-stops ensure a symmetrical joint is achieved every time with any of the templates . The 300 mm wide dovetail template supplied with the jig is precisionmachined from solid aluminium , as opposed to plastic or stamped steel templates used with other jigs . Also included is a TCT dovetail cutter , a guide bush and fixings .
The jig is supplied with a comprehensive manual and a voucher for a free Trend Routing System video , giving a useful introduction to using the DJ300 , as well as T series routers and the MINIMACH . Spare parts for the jig are readily available if they are ever needed .
It takes just a few minutes to set-up the jig and the router to begin making your first dovetail joint . If you ’ ve never used a dovetail jig before its important to familiarise yourself with the way the timber is aligned in the jig and also the depth of cut to achieve a firm joint . All this is explained fully in the manual . As with any new tool , to become familiar with its characteristics , the best idea is always to make trial joints first in some scrap material .
Two optional aluminium templates are also available . The 1 / 4 ” lapped dovetail template produces small half-blind dovetails , ideal for jewellery boxes , artists cases and other smaller projects . This template is used with a 7.74mm guide bush supplied with the template , and a 6mm solid carbide dovetail cutter supplied separately . The end-stops needed for the different joint off-set are supplied with the jig .
The other optional template is for a 1 / 2 ” comb joint . It uses the standard guide bush supplied with the jig and a 12.55 diameter straight cutter available separately . These joints have a square profile instead of the tapered shape of the dovetail . This simple
14 INProfile Autumn 1998