Alternate Router Bits - Porter-Cable 4216 Instruction Manual

ALTERNATE ROUTER BITS

You are not limited to using the router bits supplied with your jig. Other router bits can be used to produce a different
look or to work with thicker woods. Using alternate bits can help you produce more advanced joints (inlayed
dovetails, etc.). Since 1/2" shank bits are stronger and are much less prone to deflection than the 1/4" shank bits,
we recommend that you use the 1/2" shank bits with the 4210 and 4212 dovetail jigs, and with the 4211 and 4213
accessory kits.
THROUGH-DOVETAIL BITS
If you choose to purchase alternate
through-dovetail bits, keep in mind
the following:
1. The dovetail bit must have a 7°
angle. This angle matches the
tapered fingers used to guide
the straight bit.
2. The sum of the diameters
of the dovetail and straight
bits must equal 15/16". For
example, a 5/8" dovetail bit
must have a 5/16" straight bit
- the sum of both equalling
15/16".
3. The length of the cutter
determines the maximum
thickness of wood that can be
cut. The length of the cutter on
the dovetail bit is the maximum
thickness of the pin board.
The length of the cutter on the
straight bit is the maximum
thickness of the tail board. If
your bits have 1" cutters, you
can make through-dovetails
with 1" thick boards.
4. Purchase bits that will not
cut into the template guides.
The template guide used with
the dovetail bit has an inside
diameter of 21/32". Use bits
that will fit into this dimension.
Some larger bits might work,
but with minimal depth (Fig.
18A).
5. The inside diameter of the
template guide used with the
straight bit is 17/32". Use
straight bits that are smaller
than that dimension.
HALF-BLIND
DOVETAIL BITS
The difference in using alternate
bits and standard bits in making
half-blind dovetails is in the
depth-of-cut.
21/32"
THERE IS A MINIMUM DEPTH OF CUT
WHEN THE DIAMETER OF THE ROUTER
BIT IS GREATER THAN THE INSIDE
DIAMETER OF THE TEMPLET GUIDE
THROUGH-DOVETAIL BIT
COMBINATIONS (READILY AVAILABLE)
3/4"
5/8"
9/16"
17/32"
14
DOVETAIL BIT
TEMPLET GUIDE
ROUTER SUB BASE
DOVETAIL BIT DIAMETER
Fig. 18A
3/16"
5/16"
3/8"
13/32"
DOVETAIL BIT
TEMPLET GUIDE
ROUTER SUB BASE
WOOD FOR HALF-BLIND JOINT
HALF-BLIND TEMPLET
DEPTH OF CUT FOR A HALF-BLIND JOINT
Fig. 19A