I need help about correctly dovetailing in Baltic birch plywood. I have seen beautifully clean cut dovetails for drawers and the like in contemporary furniture, so I know it can be done. I am experiencing a lot of tearout when I attempt it. I am using a Porter Cable Omnijig 24″ with a 1 1/2 horse Porter Cable Router. I am using a 1/2″ 12 degree dovetail bit, brand-new. Do I need a bit with a smaller angle? Do I need to score the plywood before each cut?
Ellis Walentine: This is puzzling. You ought to be able to get acceptable results if you use a new, carbide-tipped dovetail bit from a reliable manufacturer. The angle of the dovetail shouldn’t be an issue either. I suggest trying again with a newer or better cutter. If the problem persists, it could be the plywood itself. A cutter with a slight rake to the tip might improve your odds with flaky or difficult material.
Rick White: Whenever I do dovetails on plywood, I use a backer, i.e. a piece of wood attached to the piece you’re dovetailing so the bit can cut through and into the backer. This prevents a lot of tearout. The other option: do the cuts on a piece a bit wider than you need and trim off the torn out edges with a saw.
Ian Kirby: You don’t need to change the bit angle or the score the plywood if everything is correct. Try the bit on solid wood and another type of plywood. If there is no tearout, then the birch plywood has a problem. If there is tear out, then it would appear that the bit has a problem. New or not, look at its edges very carefully – preferably through a hand lens – for damage or incorrect machining.
Rob Johnstone: If your setup is true and the cutters are very sharp, then I would add the scoring step and see what happens. The idea of using plywood, even the voidless type you have selected, cuts against the grain (sorry about the pun) with me. I recommend a light colored but durable hardwood instead. It would support the contemporary look you are working for, while making the machining process much more manageable.
