The basic Gifkins package includes the jig with backer boards, an adjustable stop, a phenolic template, a straight router bit, a dovetail router bit, extra shims, and an instruction manual.

The Gifkins dovetail jig is a simple, accurate jig designed for making through-dovetails with a router table. This Australian-made jig was accurate right out of the box. On my first try, it took about 30 minutes to cut nice-fitting dovetails on all four corners of a test box.

The main body is made of a laminated, high-density fiber/ resin material with a T-slot in the top. An interchangeable, phenolic template mounts to the base. Sacrificial backer boards, screwed to each side of the body, prevent tearout on the back side of the cuts. Cuts are made with special bearing-guided router bits (supplied) that follow the edge of the template. Dovetail cuts are made with a dovetail bit. A straight bit cuts the pins.

A double-sided stop rides in the T-slot, with one side of the stop on each side of the jig. The T-slot allows the stop to be accurately positioned anywhere along the length of the jig. And because the stop has two sides, the workpiece ends up in exactly the same position when it’s moved from one side of the jig to the other.

Removing or adding shims behind the sacrificial backer board on the straight cutter (pins) side of the jig will correct an ill-fitting joint. The stop does not have to be moved to change shims, allowing quick adjustment of the jig.

Four different templates are available. The A10 and A20 are used with 1/4-in.-shank bits and can cut dovetails in material up to about 1/2 in. (13mm) thick. The A10 spaces the pins of the dovetails at 13/16 in. (20mm) the A20 spaces them at 1 3/32 in. (28mm). The other two templates (the B10 and B20) are used with 1/2-in.-shank bits and can cut material up to 7/8 in. (22mm) thick. You get a pin spacing of 1 1/2 in. (38mm) with the B10, and 1 26/32 in. (48mm) with the B20.

I’d say the biggest drawback of the jig is the lack of adjustment of pin spacing. To get evenly spaced half pins, you must change the dimensions of the box to accommodate the spacing on the template being used. The template dictates the maximum width of stock: 9 in. for the A10 12 in. for the A20 and 12 1/4 in. for the B10 and B20 templates.
The basic unit includes the jig and stop, one template, the special dovetail and straight router bits, extra shims and an instruction manual.

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