Pathfinder instructions - The WoodRat

Setting up the Pathfinder
The Pathfinder Pf1 comes in three parts. They can be
bought separately, or bundled together. If you have an
MB3 MitreBox you will need only the Pathfinder Parts and
a Template to begin wo.
Most of the actions and techniques such as the tracking, holding
wood in the CamLocks, using the raising plates, plunging
and depthing the router, will be familiar to anyone who knows
the WoodRat, but if you are new to it, you will find it helpful to
read the Manual that comes with your basic machine, and put
in some practice.
The workings of the Pathfinder itself are mostly self-evident. Tenons
are a breeze and Through Dovetails are not too difficult, but
the Half-Blinds are so quick in operation that it is well worth the
initial mental effort. It’s even worth following the instructions.
1. The Pathfinder Parts
The first part of the Pathfinder is what we call the ‘Pathfinder
Parts’.
These need to work with the MB3 MitreBox to complete the Pf1
Pathfinder.
1.1. The Halfplate
The BasePlate of the WoodRat is replaced for Pathfinder work
by the HalfPlate. The front edge of the Halfplate has a groove
that takes the tongue cut into edge of all the Templates which
interlock with it and can slide east/west with no north/south
movement. Use the M8 25 screws that come as standard with
the WoodRat kit.
Raising Plates
Loosen the HalfPlate and add Raising Plates under it as necessary
to give more depth of cut. The Raising Plate (or plates) come
as standard with the WoodRat kit, to allow a greater depth of
cut when needed for tenons. It uses the M8 25 or M8 50 screws
which come standard with the WoodRat kit. Plus the M4 10
screws to hold the GuideRail to the Halfplate.
1.2 Drop-pin Plate
The new RP3 RouterPlate is largely the same as the older Plate
but is modified to take the Drop Pin Plate. This fits into its tee slot
and is held either side by M6 10 Locking Keys. Its position can
be adjusted north/south in the RouterPlate, and it can be locked
down. It determines the distance between the Pin as it wanders
around the template and the Bit as it cuts the workpiece.
It governs the distance between the Bit and Pin.
The Drop Pin
The Drop Pin has a sprung pin that can be raised and kept up,
or dropped down to engage with the grooves, islands, wedges
and pathways in the Template. So, as the Template and with it
the Workpiece is tracked west/east, the Pin, and with it the Bit,
can go north/south.
So in effect, the pin finds its way around any useful kind of Pathway
cut in the template allowing the bit to travel a similar kind of
pathway in the workpiece; hence the name Pathfinder.
6
M6 Locking Key
Drop Pin
Make sure that you have the
4mm counterbored hole here.
M6 Locking Key
Drop Pin Plate