[THE GITS]

Many years ago I had the misfortune to have to use a Leigh dovetail jig for a batch of unseen corner joints of a large job our workshop was under taking. This jig uses dovetail cutters that employ an extended shank, the one in the photograph was one such cutter that illustrates the likelihood of such extended cutters to snap on the shank, this was a near brand new one that I broke. As it happened I put it in my back pocket so I would not loose it while I was fitting a new one to the router. Of course I forgot about it and it ended up at home and eventually made its way into my own small workshop. While looking for a cutter to match the angle of the track I came across this cutter. Its angle was a perfect match as was its bottom width. Do not count of that sort of luck but you never know.

The router has already been set at the exact centre line of the gun, so don't change this. Just release the cutter and lock in the dovetail cutter. Set the cutter depth by setting it down on the bottom of your previous cut. How? Turn the cutter 90 degrees so it fits into the square cut. Bring the cutter to the front of the blank, and start the cut. It is vital that the base of the router stays in intimate contact with the top of the blank. Failure to do this will result in a very messy cut that while repairable will always look messy. At the end of the cut, switch the router off and hold it tight until the cutter stops. slide the router back along the blank to remove it.

Clean all the dust from the slot and test your track. If it is too tight, adjust it by fine adjustment of the guide fence.