Porter-Cable OMNIJIG 55160 Instruction Manual page 36

ITEMS NEEDED
On the OMNIJIG ® , variable-spaced half-blind joints can be cut
using the variable finger template (regular or miniature). The
joints are made by cutting the pinboard (drawer front) (A) Fig.
A
E1 first and then the tailboard (drawer side) (B) Fig. E2.
B
Noting your desired tail height, check your "Dovetail Setup
Guide" for specific router bits, template guides and stops
needed. Instructions for using this guide can be found in the
"BASIC OPERATIONS" chapter.
Fig. E1 Fig. E2
NOTE: The regular variable finger template comes standard
®
with the 24" OMNIJIG , and is available as an accessory for
the 16" OMNIJIG ® . A miniature variable-finger template is
®
available for both the 24" and 16" Omnijigs .
SETTING UP AND MAKING THE CUT
For variable-spaced half-blind joints, the desired tail height
needs to be smaller than the thickness of the pinboard (or
drawer front, if you are making drawers).
Use the yellow on-board labels ("B Pins" and "B Tails") on
C
the variable finger template for a guide as you follow these
instructions.
D
These instructions are for cutting on both the regular size and
miniature variable finger templates, except where noted.
CUTTING MINIATURE DOVETAIL JOINTS
For the miniature variable fingers, the fingers shown at (C) Fig.
E3 are the proper fingers for doing variable-spaced half-blind
joints.
If a finger set (D) Fig. E3 is separated, do not cut between
straight edges (E) when making cut. Only cut between the
angled edges (F).
On the mini fingers template, if the space (F) to be cut is
greater than 5/8", you might find it desirable to make initial
F
passes using the D4 router bit and G1 template guide. After
E
the bulk of the material has been removed, finish the cut with
the appropriate template guide and bit. Doing this prolongs the
life of bits used to make miniature dovetails.
Fig. E3
To set the depth of cut for the miniature variable spaced half-
blind joints, the user defined gauges in the router bit depth pod
can be set to the measurements found in the "ROUTER BIT
DEPTH POD SETTINGS" appendix in the back of the manual.
A NOTE ON TAIL THICKNESS
The OMNIJIG ® comes set at the factory to create the optimal
tail thickness when using 1/2" wood. If your stock is thicker
or thinner than 1/2", you will need to make an adjustment
to achieve your desired tail thickness. The adjustment is
described in the "FITTING THE JOINT" section at the end of
this chapter.