Project 3

Dovetail tenoning..with precision! Construct a frame for a workbench, coffee table or cabinet.

Cutting a frame larger than the clamping capacity of the AngleMag
which is 2” or 50mm
Illustration 23 - The auxiliary AngleMag supporting jig is used as a supporting platform for the AngleMag, whilst a workpiece is clamped either vertically or (diagonally as illustrated, cutting splines in a mitered picture frame).
Quite easily made from mdf or plywood.
In order to embark upon this project, you will need to make this AngleMag support jig.  Workpieces too large or too small to be clamped in the AngleMag can now be clamped in position to be cut.  See illustrations below.
 

Marking the shoulder & dovetail on the ends of the rails.
Illustration 24 -
With a depth marker, mark the depth of the dovetail shoulders all around the ends of the rails. Now mark the thickness of the actual dovetail tenon in order to cut away a rebate.
Cutting the shoulder & dovetail.
Illustration 25 - Sandwich the workpiece horizontally between the AngleMag and supporting jig. Select the 90 degree angle and cut the shoulder flipping it around the three sides and cut to the respective depth marks.

Illustration 26 - Remove and clamp the workpiece vertically and cut the rebate down to the shoulder.

Illustration 27 - Note the steel rule sandwiched between the AngleMag and the support jig. This is a “vertical stop” that will result in identical sized dovetail tenons and leave the dovetail in the exact centre of the workpiece. Clamp the workpiece vertically to the supporting jig so that it is touching the steel rule height stop. Don’t push it hard against the rule. Now clamp. Once you have lined up the saw for the very first cut and made this cut down to the shoulder line….do not move the AngleMag or disturb the shaft or angle selector. Simply release the workpiece and flip it around, re-clamp gently pushing up against the steel rule. Your saw blade will now cut a dovetail tenon to leave it in the centre of the workpiece. Cut both ends of both opposing sides of the frame.

Marking the dovetail on the post.
Illustration 28 - Using the rebated dovetail, place it flush against the post, clamp and mark with the knife angled in very slightly.  This is even more important with soft woods to make as tight a fit as possible.
Now mark the depth of the dovetail

Cutting the dovetail socket.
Illustration 29 - Clamp the AngleMag to the leg. (in this case, the legs fitted neatly in the AngleMag clamping capacity, just!!)  line up the saw with the marks and referring to illustration no. 9, make your cuts with precision using the micro adjustment for your matching cuts.   However, these cuts are made diagonally and confined to the length of the dovetail and the marking of the depth of the dovetail.   Chisel out the waste as shown, using what remains of the saw cuts as a chisel guide as shown;  clean up and fit.