When using a dovetail template and a router to make drawers, where should the router be placed during the cut?

• A. in the template clear of stock
• B. on top of the stock inside the template
• C. along the edge of the stock
• D. inside the stock to guide the cut

Answer: (A)

When using a dovetail template, the guiding surface is the template itself, so the router should sit in the template area with its base riding on the template and the bit extending through the template opening into the stock. This arrangement keeps the cut precisely governed by the template, giving consistent tails and pins and preventing the router from wandering on the wood. It also avoids using the stock surface as a guide, which can lead to misalignment, tear-out, or uneven depths. In short, keep the router inside the template boundaries and clear of the stock so the template controls the cut.