What Router for porter cable dovetail jig

609 Views 30 Replies 14 Participants Last post by drinehart, 2 d ago

Kgt1223

Discussion Starter · 11 d ago

Good evening. Am 65 and new to woodworking. I've recently purchased a porter cable dovetail jig but my ryobi 1/4inch shaft will not work (requires 1/2 inch shaft) nor will base accommodate the template guide that came with jig. Any recommendations on a router that will work with these accessories that won't break the bank lol. Thanx in advance

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mastevt

· #2 · 11 d ago

I've got 2 Rigid models from Home Depot. Bought 1 new years ago, and got tired of switching it out from table to hand use, so I bought a 2nd on Ebay. So now I got a designated router on my incra lift in my table. And one for free hand work. Been very pleased with both.

Sent from my SM-A326U using Tapatalk

woodnthings

· #3 · 11 d ago (Edited)

Dewalt makes a decent router for the money.

I'd get the two base kit so you'll have a plunge base and a fixed base. They do different operations and each is better at one than the other.
For example a fixed base will be easier to adjust the height in a table than a plunge which always returns the bit to zero depth when you unlock the height.

www.amazon.com

Amazon.com: DEWALT Router, Fixed/Plunge Base Combo Kit, 11-Amp, 1-3/4 HP, (DW616PK) : Everything Else

Amazon.com: DEWALT Router, Fixed/Plunge Base Combo Kit, 11-Amp, 1-3/4 HP, (DW616PK) : Everything Else

www.amazon.com

This Bosch kit is also very highly regarded and about the same money, a bit cheaper:

www.amazon.com

BOSCH 1617EVSPK Wood 12 Amp Router Tool Combo Kit - 2.25 Horsepower Plunge Router & Fixed Base with a Variable Speed - Power Routers - Amazon.com

BOSCH 1617EVSPK Wood 12 Amp Router Tool Combo Kit - 2.25 Horsepower Plunge Router & Fixed Base with a Variable Speed - Power Routers - Amazon.com

www.amazon.com

Then, as you get into table routing you will ultimately want to get a lift to mount the router motor in.
Why? Because half the issue with setting up a cut is adjusting the bit height and a lift makes it 100% easier than twisting the motor in the fixed base.

Lifts are precision made devices and are not cheap.
I own several Jess EM MASTRLIFTS and they are the standard of the industry. JMO!
The other issue is the inserts that close the gap around the bits. They are all but impossible to make, so the lifts come with them.

Here's the cheapest one on Amazon and I know nothing about it!

www.amazon.com

Amazon.com: O'SKOOL Router Lift Systems for 3-1/2" Diameter Motors, 9-1/4'' x 11-3/4'' Plate 5-Piece Insert Ring Kit : Everything Else

Amazon.com: O'SKOOL Router Lift Systems for 3-1/2" Diameter Motors, 9-1/4'' x 11-3/4'' Plate 5-Piece Insert Ring Kit : Everything Else

www.amazon.com

The most basic table router is a fixed base mounted underneath a 1/2" plywood 24" X 24" with a screwed on fence.
That's less than $20.00 to get started. Drill a hole slightly lager than you largest bit diameter and off you go.

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Kgt1223

Discussion Starter · #4 · 11 d ago

Very good, but will the accommodate the template jig that came with the kit?

Gas Rim Auto part Nickel Metal

9i

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woodnthings

· #5 · 11 d ago (Edited)

Kgt1223 said:
Very good, but will the accommodate the template jig that came with the kit?

Yes, most all the fixed bases will have the proper hole and a recess to accept the Porter Cable guide bushings. That is a standard size hole.

Using them in the Porter Cable dovetail jig:

Reactions: 1

Rebelwork

· #6 · 10 d ago

I would pass on the Dewalt and look at the Bosch.

Reactions: 1

sanchez

· #7 · 10 d ago

Bosch routers need a cheap adapter to use the industry standard porter cable bushings. I have this one on my MRC23EVSK.

You should definitely get a centering cone too. Bushing guided templates require that your router bit is perfectly centered.

www.amazon.com

BOSCH RA1129 Template Guide Adapter Set - - Amazon.com

BOSCH RA1129 Template Guide Adapter Set - - Amazon.com

www.amazon.com

www.amazon.com

BOSCH RA1151 Router Subbase Centering Pin and Cone - Router Accessories - Amazon.com

BOSCH RA1151 Router Subbase Centering Pin and Cone - Router Accessories - Amazon.com

www.amazon.com

sanchez

· #8 · 10 d ago

Since you mentioned cost as a factor, several brands currently have their version of the early 2000's craftsman routers. Hercules (Harbor freight), Skil, Kobalt, are all basically the same and are in the $100-$150 range for a two base kit.

I had my craftsman versions for ten years and no major issues.

The bases on these will all accommodate the standard router bushings.

shoot summ

· #9 · 10 d ago (Edited)

Kgt1223 said:
Good evening. Am 65 and new to woodworking. I've recently purchased a porter cable dovetail jig but my ryobi 1/4inch shaft will not work (requires 1/2 inch shaft) nor will base accommodate the template guide that came with jig. Any recommendations on a router that will work with these accessories that won't break the bank lol. Thanx in advance

It might be as simple as replacing the base plate on your router to accommodate the bushing. There are many options including folks that make custom acrylic base plates, all under $30 or so, just do a search.

Not sure why the jig would require a 1/2" shank bit, others with more knowledge on that aspect will chime in I'm certain.

Rebelwork

· #10 · 10 d ago

Check Marketplace, Craigslist or your local pawn shop for deals on routers

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Hunter734

· #11 · 10 d ago

Some good info on this one. I've been looking at the same jigs

sanchez

· #12 · 10 d ago

shoot summ said:
Not sure why the jig would require a 1/2" shank bit, others with more knowledge on that aspect will chime in I'm certain.

I'm pretty sure all the major brand (PC, Rockler, Woodcraft) dovetail jigs just come with 1/2" or 8mm shank bits. My Rockler jig did. Drawer dovetail cuts are pretty deep in a single pass, 1/2 " to 5/8" typically.

Reactions: 1

Kgt1223

Discussion Starter · #13 · 10 d ago

shoot summ said:
It might be as simple as replacing the base plate on your router to accommodate the bushing. There are many options including folks that make custom acrylic base plates, all under $30 or so, just do a search.

Not sure why the jig would require a 1/2" shank bit, others with more knowledge on that aspect will chime in I'm certain.

It's just the size of the bit that was furnished. I realize now that the same bit also comes in 1/4 inch. Can I order any dovetail bit in 1/4 inch, or do they make different sizes?

Reactions: 1

jdonhowe

· #14 · 10 d ago

FWIW, I'm fond of the palm grip on Milwaukee router's fixed base, which gives me a much better feeling of control. In any case, go with a fixed base (rather than plunge); with a lower center of gravity, it's less tippy on the jig surface.

woodnthings

· #15 · 10 d ago

For those looking to get a dovetail jig, I recommend these from Peachtree Woodworking:

Peachtree Dovetail Jig

Peachtree Woodworking Supply is your one stop supply shop for all your woodworking needs.

www.ptreeusa.com

Years back they offered a 24" one piece template, very high quality.
I think it was at a local woodworking show and the price was right.
I will use it on an upcoming treasure chest project which I've put off far too long.
The setup is a bugger if I remember? I'll take some photos. Don't hold your breath, however.....

Reactions: 1

Biotec

· #16 · 10 d ago

2

@Kgt1223
it should have had Template Guides - Models 42037, 42040, 42046, 42054

Product Guitar accessory Musical instrument accessory Auto part Font

Router template guides from lee also Rockler Dovetail Router Bits - 1/4" Shank

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B Coll

· #17 · 10 d ago

Not a big fan of many of the new tools. I would look for a used Porter Cable 690. They are work horses and will long out live you. They usually come with a fixed base but you can get plunge and D handle bases for them also. There are a ton of them out there and you can usually get them pretty cheap. If you are going to get a new one I would go with Bosch. Both can use the standard PC template guide

Reactions: 1

Rebelwork

· #18 · 9 d ago

The Bosch 1604 were another work horse of the 90’s.

Biotec

· #19 · 8 d ago

4

@Kgt1223

this maybe some help.

Guide Bushing Problem from Router Forums
(Ben Blackwell)
The problem is as follows: Given a 30 mm diameter hole template (T), it is desired to make a 20 mm diameter hole (H) using router guide bushings. What combination of guide bushing OD (G) and bit diameter (B) can be used to produce the desired 20 mm diameter hole?
A cursory look on the web showed a set of metric guide bushings of 10, 12, 16, 18, 20, 24, and 30 mm OD. The geometry of this problem is shown below for one solution; guide bushing diameter G = 18 mm and bit diameter B = 8 mm. All other combinations of G and B must have the OD of the bit tangent to the 20 mm diameter circle. The equation for the bit diameter with this constraint is 𝐵=𝐺−2𝑂

The combinations

Head Human body Font Slope Parallel

The combinations of B and G are given in the table below.

Font Number Circle

the next one is a guide to collets

How a Collet Works
• A collet is the steel sleeve that holds a
router bit in a router. The collet works with
the router shaft (connected directly to the
motor) and the collet nut.

see the PDF

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drinehart

· #20 · 4 d ago

Kgt1223 said:
Good evening. Am 65 and new to woodworking. I've recently purchased a porter cable dovetail jig but my ryobi 1/4inch shaft will not work (requires 1/2 inch shaft) nor will base accommodate the template guide that came with jig. Any recommendations on a router that will work with these accessories that won't break the bank lol. Thanx in advance

I have the same dovetail jig. Haven’t used it in a couple of years, but you’d be better off to purchase a Porter Cable router that will accept a 1/2” collet. Can’t remember if you need to use the bushing for the jig, but you gotta use the dovetail bit. Seems like the plunge router base works better than the fixed base, but do not hold me to that.

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