Timber Frame Dovetail Template

The dovetail clamping devices are almost always made from a metal base have some form of clamping system and use pressure rods and a comb sometimes called a template for cutting the dovetails.

Timber frame dovetail template.

It s not hard to fabricate with the arunda jigs. 3 75 3 3 4 or 3 3 4 select appropriate angle and overlap to obtain desired log gap. Both have sliding fences built in for quick setup. Adjust the milling depth on the router with the setting gauge on the tenon template only.

You can chisel out mortise and tenon joints in timbers by hand program a cnc milling machine for the task or you can use lignatool s router system. Their system lets you create dovetail mortise and tenons for connecting timber without fasteners. Next clamp your straight edge exactly where you want the sliding dovetail to go. Use a template guide that has the same outside diameter as your dovetail bit to make measuring simple.

This is a geometric calculator only. The cutting is done with the powerful mafell lo 65ec hand router coupled with the arunda dovetail router bit. Set tenon length with set levers on fence. By using a dovetail bit with a template guide and this same setup you can use the straight edge to make the basic sliding dovetail shown above left.

If you create your own template you might be able to get away with not using a metal base but using standard 3 4 hardwood instead. Mill the tenon with the router securely locked into. Mount tenon template with clamps or wood screws 2. In fact the arunda dovetail system is a faster way to make strong timber frame systems.

Imagine how solid a floor system with dovetailed floor joists would be.