What should I do if the dovetail joint is too tight when using the Craftsman 315.25790?

If the dovetail joint is too tight, raise the cutter very slightly. This will make the cut more shallow (approximately 1/64"). Refer to the depth adjustment instructions in your router owner's manual.

What should I do if the dovetail joint is too loose when using the Craftsman 315.25790?

If the dovetail joint is too loose, lower the cutter bit very slightly to make the cut deeper (approximately 1/64").

How do I rout flush dovetail joints using the Craftsman 315.25790 Dovetail Template?

To rout flush dovetail joints with the Craftsman 315.25790:Setup:AWARNING: UNPLUG ROUTER FROM POWER SUPPLY WHILE ASSEMBLING PARTS OR MAKING ADJUSTMENTS, FAILURE TO DO SO COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL STARTING OF YOUR ROUTER CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE WORK SURFACE OR POSSIBLE SERIOUS PERSONAL INJURY.Attach guide bushing with 7/16" pilot diameter to the router base (5/16" pilot diameter for 1/4" joints). Insert the dovetail cutter bit through the guide bushing and into the chuck collet at least 1/2 inch, then tighten securely.Adjust the base on your router until the cutter extends 17/32 inch beyond the router subbase for 1/2" joints, or 7/16 inch beyond the router subbase for 1/4" joints.Loosen the stop screws and place the 3-way stop on top of your dovetail template and the 2-way stop on the side of your dovetail template in their proper position. Re-tighten stop screws securely.Mark the boards for the drawer or box on the inside with identifying letters near the bottom edge.Insert board (A) between the front clamping bar and the front surface of the dovetail base with the bottom edge toward the left 2-way stop. Temporarily clamp board (A) "inside-out" to the left front of the fixture so that it extends above the base.Insert board (B) between the top clamping bar and the top surface of the dovetail base, with the bottom edge against the left 3-way stop, and flush with the extended portion of board (A).Tighten wing nuts on the top clamping bar to hold board (B) securely.Relocate board (A) so that it is flush with the top of board (B) and against the 2-way stop on the left front of the dovetail base.Tighten front wing nuts (E) to hold board (A) securely. 1Attach comb-shaped template (F) to the dovetail base with washers (G) and spacers (H) in their desired location. 1Hold the template flat on the boards with one hand and tighten template wing nuts (E) securely. Ensure template finger ends are parallel to the edge of board (B) to assure even fitting after cutting. Routing: AWARNING: USE CAUTION WHEN OPERATING ROUTER AT EITHER EXTREME END OF DOVETAIL TEMPLATE. YOUR DOVETAIL CUTTER WILL MAKE CONTACT WITH ANGLE BRACKET IF MOVED TOO FAR OUTSIDE FIRST OR FINAL CUT.Place your router so that the subbase is resting flat on the dovetail template. Ensure the cutter is not making contact with the edge of board (A), then turn your router on and let the motor build to its full speed.Make a straight cut from right to left across board (A). This shallow V-groove cut prevents chipping when the router is moved in and out of the fingers of your dovetail template.Cut your dovetail joint by feeding your router in and out of each finger, moving from left to right.Recut the dovetail moving your router from right to left to clean off any spots or imperfections.Wait until the cutter has completely stopped before removing your router.Check to make sure you have routed each dovetail evenly.Once everything looks okay, remove the two pieces and tap them together.If adjustments are needed, see troubleshooting on page eleven. Once adjustments are made, do not change settings until all dovetails are cut.Repeat steps 1 thru 6 with your finished wood.

What should I do if the Craftsman 315.25790 dovetail joint fit is too deep?

If the dovetail joint fit is too deep, turn the lock nut (I) in a counter-clockwise direction until the desired depth is reached. Be sure to adjust both lock nuts equally.

What should I do if the Craftsman 315.25790 dovetail joint fit is too shallow?

If the dovetail joint fit is too shallow, turn the lock nut (I) in a clockwise direction until the desired depth is reached. Be sure to adjust both lock nuts equally.

How do I mount the Craftsman 315.25790 Dovetail Template to a workbench or table?

For safe operation and proper control, your Craftsman 315.25790 Dovetail Template must be mounted to a workbench or table. There are two methods:Clamping: Clamp your dovetail template to a workbench or table with "C" clamps as shown in FigureIt can then be easily removed upon completion for easy storage or changing job sites.Mounting to plywood: Mount your dovetail template onto a piece of 3/4 inch plywood approximately six inches wide and twenty-four inches long. Position the front of the base flush with the front and centered with the ends of the board. Then, insert four flat head wood screws through holes in the base and secure firmly into the plywood. This allows the dovetail template (with wooden base) to be clamped securely to a workbench or table with "C" clamps or other holding apparatus. For more information, see page 4 of the manual.

How do I install the template guide bushing and cutter on the Craftsman 315.25790?

TO AVOID POSSIBLE SERIOUS PERSONAL INJURY, UNPLUG YOUR ROUTER WHILE ASSEMBLING PARTS OR MAKING ADJUSTMENTS.Attach guide bushing directly to the inside of the subbase. Ensure the collar section is turned facing away from the router motor.Secure bushing to the subbase with the 3 screws supplied.Insert dovetail cutter through the guide bushing and into the collet at least 1/2 inch. If 1/2 inch engagement does not exist, lower the router motor in the router base until the collet nut is approximately 1/8 inch clear of the guide bushing.Tighten clamping wing nut securely before attempting to center the cutter inside the guide bushing.Visually center the cutter with the inside diameter of the guide bushing, then tighten the collet nut securely. Adjustments can be made by loosening the screws holding the subbase to the router and/or the screws holding the guide bushing to the router.Tighten all screws securely. For more information, see page 4 of the manual.

How do I assemble the Craftsman 315.25790 Dovetail Template?

To assemble your Craftsman 315.25790 Dovetail Template:Insert hex bolts through holes in your dovetail base and fit into molded slots on the bottom side of the base.Secure hex bolt with push nuts supplied.Place one spring over each hex bolt.Place a washer on top of each spring, then install a clamp bar on top of the washer. Ensure each clamp bar is turned as shown in FigurePlace a second washer on top and/or end of each clamp bar.Thread wing nut onto each hex bolt to secure washers, clamp bars, and springs. For more information, see page 3 of the manual.

What are some helpful tips for using the Craftsman 315.25790 Dovetail Template?

Here are some helpful tips for using your Craftsman 315.25790 Dovetail Template:Once all adjustments are made, do not make any further changes until all dovetails are cut.Always clamp workpiece securely for cutting.Rout dovetails from the front only.A safe operator is one who thinks ahead.Do not raise or lower your router or cutter while the bit is between the dovetail template fingers. Keep the router base flat against the template.Always wear eye protection when routing.Make certain the ends of all boards are square.Make set-up adjustments carefully. Then double-check. Measure twice and cut once.DO NOT use warped boards.Keep cutters clean and properly sharpened.Be consistent when selecting the thickness of your boards.Don't let familiarity make you careless.Always bevel the drawer front for an offset-front drawer.Study all safety rules and do the job safely.Plan your drawer opening so that the boards will be in increments of 7/8 inch for 1/2 inch joints, or 29/64 inch increments for 1/4 inch joints. This allows a half-pin to be on both the top and bottom edge of the drawer front. Don't forget to allow for clearances.NEVER place your hands in jeopardy.Make certain clamps can't loosen while in use.Test difficult set-ups on scrap lumber.Plan each operation before you begin.THINK SAFETY BY THINKING AHEAD. For more information, see page 11 of the manual.

How do I set up the Craftsman 315.25790 for either 1/4 inch or 1/2 inch dovetail joints?

To set up your Craftsman 315.25790 for 1/4 inch or 1/2 inch dovetail joints:Your dovetail template is packaged with the angle brackets set for making 1/2 inch joints. If 1/4 inch joints are desired, loosen the two screws holding the angle brackets, and reverse them 180°. Re-tighten the angle bracket screws. Reverse the procedure when changing your template from 1/4 inch joints to 1/2 inch joints.

What tools are needed to use the Craftsman 315.25790 Dovetail Template?

In addition to your Craftsman 315.25790 Dovetail Template and guide bushing, you will need a Craftsman Router and a dovetail cutter. You can use dovetail cutter Catalog Number 26319 for 1/4 inch dovetail joints and Catalog Number 26318 for 1/2 inch joints.

How do I set up the Craftsman 315.25790 for offset-front dovetail joints?

To set up your Craftsman 315.25790 for offset-front dovetail joints:AWARNING: UNPLUG ROUTER FROM POWER SUPPLY WHILE ASSEMBLING PARTS OR MAKING ADJUSTMENTS. FAILURE TO DO SO COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL STARTING OF YOUR ROUTER CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE WORK SURFACE OR POSSIBLE SERIOUS PERSONAL INJURY.The set-up for an offset-front drawer is done exactly the same as a set-up for a FLUSH FRONT DRAWER OR BOX, with one exception. The exception is where the angle brackets of the comb-shaped template are located on the dovetail base. The angle brackets of the comb-shaped template go between spacers (G) and (H). After making this change, follow the same set-up procedure described for flush front drawers. For more information, see page 8 of the manual.

How do I set up and rout rabbeted front dovetail joints using the Craftsman 315.25790?

To set up and rout rabbeted front dovetail joints with the Craftsman 315.25790:Setup:AWARNING: UNPLUG ROUTER FROM POWER SUPPLY WHILE ASSEMBLING PARTS OR MAKING ADJUSTMENTS FAILURE TO DO SO COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL STARTING OF YOUR ROUTER CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE WORK SURFACE OR POSSIBLE SERIOUS PERSONAL INJURY.Cut a 3/8" wide x 7/16" deep rabbet around the drawer front.Attach guide bushing to your router and install the dovetail cutter. Refer to "INSTALLING TEMPLATE GUIDE BUSHING AND CUTTER" on PageAdjust the base on your router until the cutter extends 17/32 inch below the router subbase for 1/2" joints, or 7/16 inch below the router subbase for 1/4" joints.Loosen the stop screws and place the 3-way stop on top of your dovetail template and the 2-way stop on the side of your dovetail template in their proper position. Re-tighten stop screws securely.Mark the boards for the drawer or box on the inside with identifying letters near the bottom edge.Insert board (A) between the front clamping bar and the front surface of the dovetail base with the bottom edge toward the left 2-way stop. Temporarily clamp board (A) "inside-out" to the left front of the fixture so that it extends above the base.Insert board (B) between the top clamping bar and the top surface of the dovetail base, with the bottom edge against the left 3-way stop, and flush with the extended portion of board (A).Tighten wing nuts (E) on the top clamping bar to hold board (B) securely.Relocate board (A) so that it is flush with the top of board (B) and against the 2-way stop on the left front of the dovetail base. 1Tighten front wing nuts (E) to hold board (A) securely. 1Attach comb-shaped template (F) to the dovetail base with spacers (G) and (H) in their desired location. 1Hold the template flat on the boards with one hand and tighten template wing nuts (E) securely. Ensure template finger ends are parallel to the edge of board (B) to assure even fitting after cutting. 1Loosen wing nuts (E) on the top clamping bar and remove board (B) from the base and replace with a scrap piece of the same wood. This provides support for board (A) and helps prevent splintering as the cutter moves in and out of the fingers. Routing: AWARNING: USE CAUTION WHEN OPERATING ROUTER AT EITHER EXTREME END OF DOVETAIL TEMPLATE. YOUR CUTTER WILL MAKE CONTACT WITH ANGLE BRACKET IF MOVED TOO FAR OUTSIDE FIRST OR FINAL CUT.Place your router so that the subbase is resting flat on the dovetail template. Ensure the cutter is not making contact with the edge of board (A), then turn your router on and let the motor build to its full speed.Make a straight cut from right to left across board (A). This shallow V-groove cut prevents chipping of the wood.Cut your dovetail joint by feeding your router in and out of each finger, moving from left to right.Recut the dovetail moving your router from right to left to clean off any spots or imperfections.Wait until the cutter has completely stopped before removing your router.Check to make sure you have routed each dovetail evenly.Loosen template wing nuts (E) and remove the comb-shaped template (F). Do not remove board (A).Loosen wing nuts (E) on the top clamping bar and remove the scrap piece of wood.Replace the scrap piece of wood with the piece that is to be your finished front board (B). 1Place it flush with the edge of board (A), and tighten wing nuts (E) on the top clamping bar firmly. 1Loosen wing nuts (E) on the front clamping bar and remove board (A). 1Attach comb-shaped template (F) to the dovetail base with spacers (G) and (H) in their desired location. Hold the template flat on the boards with one hand and tighten wing nuts (E) securely. 1With your dovetail template set-up as shown, cut your joint in board (B) as a single piece. 1Recut the dovetail moving from right to left to clean off any spots or imperfections.

How do I find the model number for my Craftsman 315.25790 Dovetail Template?

The model number for your Craftsman 315.25790 Dovetail Template will be found on the label on top of your dovetail template base.

Setup - Craftsman 315.25790 Owner's Manual

Dovetail template for use with all craftsman routers

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Table Of Contents

Table of Contents

BEGIN

YOUR

SET-UP

OPERATION

begin

your

set-up,

you

will

need

determine

what the final

dimensions

for your

drawer

or box will

be, then

cut

your

boards

to size.

if you

plan

in ad

vance,

try

to size the drawer

opening

so that

a half-

pin will

be on both

the top

and

bottom

edge

of the

drawer

front.

See helpful

hints,

page eleven.

See the

chart

below

for

computing

proper

sizes

and

recom-

mended

material

thicknesses.

Next,

decide

whether

you are going

to make

1/4"

1/2"

joints.

Your

dovetail

template

is packaged

with

the angle

brackets

set for making

1/2"

joints.

If 1/4"

joints

are desired,

loosen

the two screws

holding

the

angle

brackets,

and reverse

them

180 ° . See Figure

Re-tighten

angle

bracket

screws.

Reverse

the

pro

cedure

when

changing

your

template

from

1/4"

joints

to 1/2"

joints.

SCREW

L£NGTH

LSIDE LENGTH

FLUSH

DRAWER

OFFSET

DRAWER

LENGTH

RABBETED

DRAWER

/2"

DOVETAIL

JOINTS

SECTION

Back

Sides

Bottom

RECOMMENDED

THICKNESS

/2"

t9 _/4"

1/2"

to 3/4"

Flush

Front

Offset.Front

3/8Inch

Rabbeted

Front

1/4"to

3/8"

1/?"in

314""

1/2"to

3/4"

LENGTH

WIDTH

Width

of openin_

less clearance

He!ght

of openinc]

less

clearance

Must

be determined,

for

each

io_3 _

Same

as Back

depending

depth

of opening,

clearance,

and thickness

of fron[_._ ......

and

back.

Length

of side

less

1/4"

Length

of back,

plus

1/2

less

times

side

thickness

S_me

as Back

Same

as Back

Back

Length

plus

1/8",

Same

as Back

Back

3/4"

Back width

plus

3/4'

Length

plus

NOTE: Pronl, back and sides should be grooved 1/4 inch deep to receive bottom piece and may be done belore or after dovetailing,

If groove depth is mo_e or less than 1/4 inch, bottom dimensions

must be altered to compensate.

1/4"

DOVETAIL

JOINTS

SECTION

Back

Sides

Bottom

Fl_sh

Front

Offset.Front

3/8

Inch Rabbeted

Front

RECOMMENDED

THICKNESS

5/t6"

to $/4'

1/4"

to 1/2"

1/4"

5/16"to

3/4"

1/2"to

3/4"

LENGTH

Width

of opening

less c ea,ance

Must

be determined

for each

lob

depending

on deptB

of opening,

c_e_,ran_e,

and

thickness

Of front

and

b6g_

Lenglh

of side

less

1/4'

Same

as Back

Back

Length

plus

1/8',

Back

Lenglh

plus

3/4"

WIDTH

Heiqht

of openinq

le_ea_arlcL

Same

as Back

Length

of back,

ulus

1/2"

ess

times

side

thickness

Same

as Back

Same

as B_ck

Back

width

olus

3/4"

NOTE:

Front,

back and

sides should

be grooved

3/16

inch deep

to receive

bottom

piece

and may be done

before

or Mter

dovetaging,

R groove

depth

is more

or less

than

3/16

inch,

bottom

dimensions

must

be altered

to compensale.

Page

Table of Contents

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