Project - Stickley Style Writing Desk - Making the Sliding Dovetail Legs...continued 

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   I have two sample side pieces. The first step is to rabbet the ends using the very same dovetail bit at the very same height.
   I have started by placing the fence 1/16" in. I will cut one side and then the other, and then check the fit.
   You can use a simple push block like this.
  

   I prefer to use the jig that I developed for the locking miter cuts. It clamps the work piece and gives me a much smoother rabbet.

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   I think this is proof that the jig controls the cutting much better — and it can handle two boards at a time.

   After rabbeting both sides at 1/16", I test fit the tail. It is too big. I visually check to see how much there is to remove. I do not want to go over and have too small a tail.
   I continue to take off 1/16" at a time on both sides. In fact, to make the perfect tail for my leg, it took one more 1/16" pass, and then I used the micro adjust control to "nudge" a little more off. When exactly right, I record the scale and micro-adjust setting.

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   With the side fitting smoothly, I can now measure how much of the "haunch" I have to remove.

   I use the Incra right angle fixture to hold the pieces for cutting the haunch. Just like in making the rabbets for the sides, I cut 1/16" at a time and make successive passes until the piece fits correctly. I then record that setting.

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    The sides fit well — not too loose and not too tight. This sample leg took about 30 minutes to set up. I expect that the actual cutting of the four, final legs and sides will take about the same time. If I follow my "recipe" (the notes), the final desk should have a solid foundation.

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