Dovetail Cutter (Hoffmann W2)

With this dovetail bit, you can mill the dovetail grooves for the Hoffmann connector system in size W2—in both long grain and end grain. Press the Hoffmann W2 dovetails (10 × 8 mm) into the grooves; they join two workpieces with both a form-fit and a force-fit connection, often without the need for clamps or glue. Because the joint holds in any angular position, it is suitable for butt joints as well as for miters and frames.

The double-edged solid carbide router bit (VHM, Z2) has an 18° flank angle, an 8 mm head diameter and tooth base, a 6 mm cutting length, and a 45 mm overall length; right-hand rotation, for softwood and hardwood. The Ø 6 mm shank fits in any router.

Here's how to use it

• Joining miter joints without clamps: Mill the groove, press in the dovetail—the frame is ready for use immediately, while a traditional glued miter joint is still under clamps.
• Frames and rails in series: on the router table, each part gets the groove in the same position—the connection is repeated with precise alignment throughout the entire series.
• Milling into end grain: The solid carbide bit cuts a clean dovetail groove even in end grain—where the Hoffmann joint is most commonly found.
• Assembly instead of pressing: Joints that are brought together on the construction site are drawn tight by the dovetail key—without applying adhesive on site.

Does this work with your system?

Pay attention to the dovetail size: This router bit is designed for the Hoffmann W2 dovetail—for W1 or W3, you'll need the corresponding router bit. The Ø-6-shank requires a 6 mm collet: it's available as an optional collet for the RUWI router table Basic, Classic, Classic Performance, and Premium models, and routers take it directly. For more router bits, see the overview of RUWI router tools.

All the details

Profile
Flank angle: 18°
Tooth base: 8 mm
Head diameter: 8 mm
Cutting length: 6 mm
System: Hoffmann-Schwalbe W2 (10 × 8 mm)

Shank
Shank: Ø 6 mm
Overall length: 45 mm

Cutting edges and use
Cutting edges: double-edged solid carbide router bit (solid carbide, Z2), clockwise rotation
Application: dovetail and finger joints in long grain and end grain
Materials: softwood and hardwood
Collet: Ø 6 mm required
Net weight: approx. 90 g