Warning: Make sure the router bit is properly fastened and tightened in the router’s collet and the bit can rotate freely without any obstructions.
Instructions: Slowly dial up the RPMs on your router to the recommended maximum. Then, dial back if needed to find the “sweet spot”. The sweet spot is the speed at which the least resonant vibration is present. If the sweet spot cannot be achieved within 5,000 RPMs of the max, check the collet for residue or other debris and start over.
Bit Diameter (Inches)
|
Max RPM
|
Min RPM
|
---|---|---|
1
|
24,000
|
19,000
|
1.1
|
24,000
|
19,000
|
1.2
|
24,000
|
19,000
|
1.3
|
24,000
|
19,000
|
1.4
|
24,000
|
19,000
|
1.5
|
24,000
|
19,000
|
1.6
|
22,500
|
17,500
|
1.7
|
21,100
|
16,100
|
1.8
|
20,000
|
15,000
|
1.9
|
18,900
|
13,900
|
2
|
18,000
|
13,000
|
2.1
|
17,100
|
12,100
|
2.2
|
16,300
|
11,300
|
2.3
|
15,600
|
10,600
|
2.4
|
15,000
|
10,000
|
2.5
|
14,400
|
9,400
|
2.6
|
13,800
|
8,800
|
2.7
|
13,300
|
8,300
|
2.8
|
12,800
|
7,800
|
2.9
|
12,400
|
7,400
|
3
|
12,000
|
7,000
|
3.1
|
11,600
|
6,600
|
3.2
|
11,200
|
6,200
|
3.3
|
10,900
|
5,900
|
3.4
|
10,500
|
5,500
|
3.5
|
10,200
|
5,200
|
The 7 degree dovetail joint router bit is probably the most recognizable of all woodworking joints. A dovetail joint is self-aligning and interlocking. There are numerous versions of the dovetail joint, including half blind dovetails, through dovetails, mitered dovetails and sliding dovetails. All of these variations are common in casework and drawer construction. A single dovetail bit can make almost any kind of dovetail, depending on the desired size. You'll need a jig to make most dovetail joints, as well as a guide bushing for your router. Check the instructions with your dovetail jig to select a bit with the appropriate angle, which will usually be somewhere between 7 and 14 degrees.