Woodline True Trac Dado Jig User manual

TRUE TRAC DADO JIG INSTRUCTIONS
CAUTION: POWER TOOLS CAN BE
DANGEROUS AND MISUSE CAN CAUSE
SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. ALWAYS READ
AND FOLLOW ALL POWER TOOL
INSTRUCTIONS. IF YOU ARE NOT SURE WHAT
YOU ARE DOING, STOPAND BITS. DO NOT USE
WITH WOOD THAT CONTAINS NAILS, SCREWS
OR OTHER OBJECTS. TRUE TRAC IS NOT
RESPONSIBLE FOR INJURY, ACCIDENTS, OR
MISUSE.
The True Trac Dado Jig along with the True Trac system and your router is the simplest
way to make perfect fitting dados and grooves every time.
The system uses a pivoting baseplate and
a router. One side of the movement is limited by
a fixed stop and the other side is controlled by
an adjustable set plate. A perfect dado is easily
made by setting the set plate, moving the True
Trac Dado Jig along the True Trac guide rail
while simultaneously holding the router against
the fixed stop. At the end of the first cut, the
router is pivoted against the set plate and drawn
back towards the operator. The travel of the
True Trac Dado Jig is controlled, and no matter
how many passes are used to clean the cut, the
final product is a great fit simply and easily.
The amount of pivot plate movement
required depends on the diameter of the
router bit used. The system is designed to
work with either a 1/4″ or 3/8″ bit. The
minimum width of a groove or dado is the
diameter of the bit used, however, a
smaller bit can be used to make a wider
slot. Additional passes may be required
to clean out the middle of the groove.
Figure 1 Stop is set to limit
travel of pivot plate
Figure 2 Use the correct set
plate for the bit you are
using, 1/4 or 3/8.

Fitting the True Trac Dado Jig to track.
The True Trac Dado Jig works on the narrow side of the True
Track extrusion as shown. Slightly loosen the three screws on the
outside edge of the mounting assembly. Place the True Trac Dado
Jig over the true track extrusion. Insert the tip of a screwdriver into
the end of the adjustable track guide that rides in the center of the
extrusion. Adjust the width of the grey portion to tighten the jig to the
track. Adjust both ends and then tighten the screws snugly. The True
Trac Dado Jig has small slots that allow for precise adjustment.
When properly set, the True Trac Dado Jig should slide smoothly
along the extrusion without excessive play.
Setting up your True Trac Dado Jig
The True Trac Dado Jig works well with virtually any router
with a base plate up to 6½″ in diameter (most 2½ HP or less routers).
A router can be mounted to the pivot plate directly or by using a
standard 1″ OD style bushing (optional).
Using a Bushing
The True Trac Dado Jig can be used with or without an
optional 1″ guide bushing. A standard 1″ diameter guide bushing fits
tightly into the center hole of the pivot plate and the True Trac Dado
Jig can easily be removed for use elsewhere. Contact us if you need
to purchase a 1″ bushing.
Without a 1″ bushing, the router must be mounted to the pivot plate.
Option 1: Remove the pivot plate from the jig by
removing the three retaining screws. Place the router on top of the
pivot plate and note the position of the router handles and other
fittings. The router should be turned until the handles and fittings will
not interfere with the set plate knobs when the router base is pivoted
during use. The opening in the pivot plate should be centered on the
router bit opening. Carefully mark the location of router mounting
holes. Drill the mounting holes and countersink them so the screw
heads are just below the bottom surface of the pivot plate. Reinstall
the pivot plate into the jig and tighten all the screws. The pivot screw
is secured with a special nylon lock nut. Tighten the screw firmly,
then back off ¾ turn to allow smooth movement of the pivot plate.
Figure 3 Place over track, Loosen all three
screws. Squeeze and then tighten.
Figure 4 router with 1" bushing
installed.
The pivot plate is marked and
drilled, then countersunk to fit a
router.

Option 2: Remove the pivot plate from the jig by removing the three
retaining screws. Remove the original router baseplate and place the router
on top of the plate. Note the position of the router handles and other fittings.
The router should be rotated until the handles and fittings will not interfere
with the set plate when the router base is pivoted during use. The opening
in the pivot plate should be centered on the router bit opening. If your router
plate will accept a bushing, use the bushing to help you center the router on
your pivot plate. Carefully mark the location of router mounting holes. Drill
the mounting holes and countersink them so the screw heads are just below
the bottom surface of the pivot plate. Reinstall the pivot plate into the jig
and tighten all the screws. The pivot screw is secured with a special nylon
lock nut. Tighten the screw firmly, then back off ¾ turn to allow smooth
movement of the pivot plate.
Setting dado width to match material
To set the dado width, select the set plate that
matches the diameter of the bit used. Select ¼″ for dados
from ¼″ to ½″ wide. Use a ⅜″ bit and set plate for dadoes
from ⅜″ and larger.
Install the set plate and push the pivot plate against
the left stop as shown; place a sample of the material
between the straight portion of the pivot plate and the set
plate. Press the set plate trapping the material between the
pivot plate and the set plate.
Compensation for runout and adjusting fit.
There is an additional adjustment that compensates for variation in routers, runout, and
degree of desired fit. Set plates are adjustable left to right by a small amount. There is an arrow
on the set plate. Moving the set plate in the direction of the arrow tightens the dado slightly. Moving
it to the right loosens the cut. If your test dado it too tight, move the set plate to the right. If your
dado is too loose, move the set plate to the left.
NOTE: There is a reference slot in the base plate and a notch cut in each set plate to allow
a visual reference of the setting. You may have to practice a couple of times, but you will soon get
the hang of it!
We recommend you make your initial cut with the set plate in the “tight” position.
You can always make a small adjustment and make another pass if the dado is too narrow.
Press the set plate against the material and tighten both thumbscrews snugly. Once set for a given
thickness, all additional dados should be exactly the same width.
ALWAYS TEST THE FIT IN A SCRAP OF WOOD TO ASSURE YOU HAVE PROPERLY
ADJUSTED THE SET PLATE. SOME VARIATION CAN EXIST AND CORRECTIONS ARE EASILY
MADE BY ADJUSTING THE LEFT TO RIGHT POSTION OF THE SET PLATE A SMALL AMOUNT TO
GIVE A TIGHTER OR LOOSER FIT.
Insert a sample of the wood between the set plate
and the pivot plate. Press gently and tighten the
knobs snugly. Slide set plate left or right to adjust
cut
.
Use the original baseplate to
mark the pivot plate.

Cutting A Dado
Place the True Trac Dado Jig over the True Trac extrusion and
adjust the position of the guide rail to the desired. The True Trac Dado
Jig pivot plate contains an alignment indicator that will closely
correspond to the left edge of the dado when the pivot plate is against
the left stop. It is best to make a test cut and compare the actual position
with the indicator. Any variation is the result of mounting the router a little
off center or runout in the router. A user can quickly note the alignment
of the test cut versus the indicator and use this knowledge to set up
future cuts accurately and easily.
DO NOT TURN ON THE ROUTER BEFORE INSERTING THE ROUTER
COMPLETELY INTO THE JIG. DAMAGE TO THE JIG AND POSSIBLE SERIOUS
INJURY MAY OCCUR.
Once the track is in position, clamp the track firmly in place and place the jig over the
track with the center hole located off the edge of the material. Place the router with bit set to the
desired depth onto the jig. If using a bushing, make sure the router is fully inserted into the pivot
plate. Firmly hold the router and jig assembly while simultaneously gently pressing the assembly
to the left so the pivot plate is against the left side of the jig (toward the track).
Turn on the router, and with a slow smooth action, slide the assembly along the True Trac
rail making a cut. Once the end of the cut is reached, and without turning off or lifting the router,
move the pivot plate against the right hand set plate and slide the jig assembly along the guide
toward the user. Repeat sliding the jig assembly as necessary to clean out the middle of the dado.
The router cannot move outside the area of your perfect dado.
Turn off the router and wait until the bit stops turning. Then and only then can you
remove the router and jig from the workpiece.
The True Trac Dado Jig is the perfect solution for perfect dados quickly and easily.
Replacement parts are available for any damaged items. Some woodworkers may also like
to have an extra pivot plate for other routers. If you damage the jig by accidently lifting the router
bit while it is still turning, just give us a call. We sell replacement parts for a reasonable price.
For videos and additional instructions visit our website. We recommend that all users read
these instructions carefully and visit our website for updates and additional information.
Patent pending.
Align the proper notch to
match your bit size. 1/4"
bit shown.