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I want to make some dovetail fixtures a la Benedetto but I'm unclear about the dimensions of the fixture. He gives dimensions for the actual mortise and tail but what about the template? He uses a 1" OD collar and a 3/4" dovetail bit does this mean that the template is the same dimensions as the mortise?
Jason

You should draw them out Jason, both mortise and dovetail. Cad if you have it, is best for accuracy, otherwise 3 or 4 times scale.
Draw the tail in section, with centerline. Then draw the dovetail bit, with centerline, and come back 1/2" (half a 1" collar). This (collar to dovetail centerline) will give you the "half width" of your template. Do the same with the mortise. As an added wrinkle, Benedetto's is slightly tapered (good). So you need to do 2 sets of drawings- one for the widest point (at the top), and one for the narrowest. I believe it's best to make the dovetail a hair wider than the mortise. so you can sand as needed to properly "seat" it.

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Dave
Milton, ON

Thanks Dave. I went out there and just started making test cuts in scrap and found out the offset is 3/16" if I make the mortise 9/16" deep. So now I'm off to make my second template. My first one shattered while I was drilling it I'm making them out some acrylic.
Jason