OK, I am getting really old and I posted a question about any suggestions for Mortising Jigs but what I really meant was DOVETAIL JIGs. For some reason my hands wrote Mortising Jig but I was thinking Dovetail Jig. I have already built a great mortising jig based on suggestions I have read on the Fine Woodworking site and I love it.
But now the real question, any suggestions on Dovetail jigs? I would like it to have the ability to actually move the placement of the dovetails around so that it may not always necessarily be perfectly spaced. I go to a woodworking shop and the owner has a Porter Cable jig and you actually have to design your piece around the jig because you could have the top of your drawer be directly on a dovetail and it would be exposed looking down on the drawer.
Any suggestions on a good dovetail jig and please don’t say do them by hand because I just am not there yet and my time is limited..
Regards,
Buzzsaw
“Don’t ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” Gil Bailie
Replies
Well, now, that's a different kettle of fish altogether. I think the Akeda jig is worth looking at. I don't own one, and so I haven't used it "for real," but I did get a chance to play with one, and it does seem to be straightforward and versatile. One thing, though: The guy who narrates the videos on their web site appears to be suffering from an overdose of Valium.
-Steve
What gut's that? The ones they're showing at the moment are even more soporific: no guy, no sound, nothing to keep you awake.
Jim
It's just the last one (on box joints) that has sound. (I could have sworn one of the other ones had sound, too, but I must have been imagining it.)
-Steve
OK. I fell asleep before I got to that one. Maybe the guy did too?
Jim
i don't think it's valium, probably that he's from vancouver, and has plenty of access to b.c. bud. course, that could just be my envious toronto self talkin'.
i have an older akeda jig, and it's really very good, but the cutters that come with it are crap. so, if they've got aftermarket cutters, i'd like some.
Edited 4/26/2008 8:52 am ET by mytulpa
The Prazi jig,
http://www.praziusa.com/chestmate.html
will certainly meet your requirement to be able to move the placement of tails and pins around.
Don,
Indeed, saw a demo at a woodworking show and that thang works great. Will be picking mine up tomorrow.
I think it's important to note that all these jugs require tweaking initially and the Prazi gives you a lot of flexibility and very few limitations in terms of board(s) sizes.
Regards,
Bob @ Kidderville Acres
A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!
Edited 5/3/2008 8:50 am ET by KiddervilleAcres
A good dovetail saw, marking gage and knife and a set of chisels, that’s the most adjustable jig in the world. Also get Frank Klausz’s DVD on cutting DT”S.
Hi Napie,
I've had that video for years and I have watched it. My time is extremely limited and I'm just looking for a jig at this point. I turn 50 in 2 months and I can see when I turn 65, with time on my hands, I will delve into handcutting dovetails. I take a woodworking class each week and there is an older gentleman there who is retired. He is starting to cut dovetails by hand and I think in 4 classes he has cut one board. It is remarkable the patience he has and I told him, "Eric, when I am retired like you I will take on hand-cutting dovetails". He is enjoying it but I just need to make a drawer fast.
Thanks for the suggestion and I will probably hand-cut dovetails before I am 65 but I need a jig for the short-term...Regards,
Buzzsaw
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie
A lack of time is precisely the reason I suggest the hand tool route, I can cut a set of drawers far quicker than all the screwing around setting up an adjustable jig. Jigs make sense only in a production situation <!----><!---->IMO<!---->. The only router DT jig I have ever used was the Keller and I think it is the best in the market, very little set up time required. Many years ago I built blanket/hope chests for sale and after hand cutting the DT’s for the first ten I started to look for a production solution as the orders started to stack up. The Keller fit the bill and my model 2400 has a few hundred chests to its credit. But for variable spacing, I think a jig is waste of money and it still makes you design around its limits, just like I did with those chests, (those customers didn’t really care about the spacing on the tails, they just liked the through DT’s).
<!----><!----> <!---->
Hand cutting does not take that long to learn and is not that hard. I taught my self when I was in my 20’s and that was a long time ago…. The fellow you mention is really dragging it out; you do not need to have the time of a retiree to learn to cut them or to start incorporating them into your work.
The time of a retiree is subject to Parkinson's First Law. "Work expands to fill the time available for its completion."
Jim
I vote for the katie jig.
There was a shop made jig in one of the old Fine Woodworking mags, that was also in one of the "Fine Woodworking on", or "Best Of" books, but I can't remember which one.
Anyway, it was two jigs one with straight guides that you used to cut the tails with, and one with triangle shaped fingers that matched the angle of the dovetail bit you used to cut the pins.
The spacing was completely variable.
I see if I can find either the magazine or the book but I'm not sure it isn't still packed in a box from the last move, (I really need to make some book cases).
Or, hopefully this will ring the bells for someone else, and they can point you to it.
Thanks all for your posts and I will look into the jigs you mentioned. I would love to hear more suggestions...Regards,
Buzzsaw
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie
I know it is not cheap but the best dovetail jig in my opinion is the Leigh D4R. You can cut through and half-blind dovetails, the spacing can be varied to whatever you want, except the tiny, narrow dovetails to mimic hand cut, the instruction manual is the best that's ever been, and it is a real quality tool. I made 13 half-blind drawers , front and rear, the first time I used mine, in 2 sizes, for the base of my new workbench. It only took a few minutes to set up and the dovetails are beautiful. It gets my vote. I hope this helps.
I'm 63 so I am in the same boat as far as retirement as you. I can't wait!!!
Bruce
"A man's got to know his limitations." Dirty Harry Calahan
Edited 4/28/2008 3:19 pm ET by Wingdoctor
Wingdoctor,
Thanks so much for the recommendation. It sounds like the D4R is a quality jig. I am going to think hard on this one. Go cheaper or do it up right the first time...Regards,
Buzzsaw
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie
It's not what you asked for, but the three times I wanted to use a jig I made my own. I usually have enough scrap lying around that it doesn't cost anything extra. The first two times, I used templates for both the tails and the pins; the third time just the tails, and I cut the pins by hand.
Whereof one cannot speak, thereof one must be silent—Disputantum Semirotten Woodworking
Check out the Stots dovetail jig at
http://www.stots.com
It's a different approach from most anything else....for a low price you get a "master template" that allows you to make your own dovetail templates with whatever spacing you want. It's an excellent website, very informative, very thorough with demonstration videos. I confess I've not bought it myself, but I came this close.
charlie -- "Count your blessings....it could always be worse!"
Edited 4/27/2008 1:34 pm by charlie4444
Buzz (if I may be informal and call you by your first name),
You asked about dovetail jigs. I work at a Woodcraft, and have become very familiar with the new Porter Cable Onmi Jig. The 24" jig has one drawback for many people -- IT IS VERY BIG. However, if you have the space, it is one cool tool. You can make variable space dovetails as you alluded to. I listened to a Porter Cable guy give a talk and a demo on the tool. I went in to that talk being "ANTI Jig". My personal approach is, like Napie, to use a dovetail saw, a marking knife and some chisels.
But I do have an open mind. The guy said that PC waited for the Leigh jig's patent to run out. They did years of engineering to make improvements on the Leigh, and those improvements are significant. The PC has a back-rest for the Router to ride along so it wont tilt. BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, they have a mechanism which lets you make an adjustment for the tightness of the dovetail fit. once you make that adjustment, it is set.... The Leigh is much more difficult to set up each time.
When the guy took the PC jig out of the box, he cut a set of dovetails, and they were much too tight. Then he locked in a quarter turn adjustment to the depth setting device and it was dead on.
The PC OmniJig also has two slots which are not discussed much these days. They are for a new jig that will attach to this one -- for mortising and tenoning. So you can have one workstation for doing dovetails and M&Ts.
The engineering on the Omnijig looks very very good to me. My specialty (I am retired) was Human Factors (Ergonomics). I specialized in the design of systems that are easy for humans to use. Most of my career was in aerospace. I look at each new tool in terms of its usability. Nothing is foolproof, but from what I have seen, the Porter Cable 24" OmniJig is pretty darn good.
Mind you, if you asked me how I recommend you make dovetails, I'd say "by hand" if you are a hobbyist. If you are in the business and you want to do variable spaced dovetails and often have big jobs, the PC 24" OmniJig is my recommendation.
While I have a part time job at Woodcraft, I get NOTHING for selling anything. I am not a shill for PC. I merely gave you an opinion which didn't cost you anything, except the time to read it. It may be that you got what you paid for. However, it may also be that you got some thought-through advice from someone who has looked closely at the question that you asked, and at the tool that I have recommended.
I hope my post is helpful to you.
Enjoy.
Mel
Measure your output in smiles per board foot.
MEL! Gee...
BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, they have a mechanism which lets you make an adjustment for the tightness of the dovetail fit. once you make that adjustment, it is set.... The Leigh is much more difficult to set up each time. ??? One time adjustment/trial....
You use that old fashioned thing called a pencil to write it down in the Leigh manual. I also save a sample (yes marked with notes made with the same pencil) of the final pin/tail cuts for each of the dovetail bits I use.
I have the 24 inch D4R Jig and I recreantly acquired the MFT. Wonderful tools! Expensive yes! But worth every cent! Yes I can hand cut dovetails ( sort of :>) ).
I can do a 24 inch panel in less time that it would take me to find my Japanese saw and chisels! OK, so I love my routers AND my Incra fence (when I use it, which is rarely, these days).
By the way, not knocking the PC OmniJig. However those Canadians make some NICE stuff!
I went in to that talk being "ANTI Jig". .. I think a Jig or 'fixture. is just another 'tool' you can use when the need arrives. Sort of like my Horizontal router table I made. Not used every day.. BUT.. Sure save time for other things..
Sorry, I had to!
Will George,Thanks for responding. I figured that I would get some negative responses. I wasn't "recommending" the PC. But if someone wants a jig that does variable spaced dovetails, it seems to me to be the best one around. As you know, I like to do them by hand, but I don't preach that others should do it. Glad you like your Leighs.
MelMeasure your output in smiles per board foot.
Mel,
Your post and insightful experience have been very helpful to me. I especially appreciate the opinions of those who are exposed to the various jigs on a regular basis. The fact that you work at Woodcraft, even if only part-time, tells me that you are a lover of the craft and your background in ergonomics related to the aerospace industry also lends much credence to your opinion. Believe it or not, I have a geodesy background, and have had past experience with the aerospace industry. Thanks so much for your post. I truly appreciate it...Regards,
Buzzsaw
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie
Buzzsaw,
Glad you found my comments useful. Tell me about your background in geodesy and aerospace. Sounds interesting. I enjoy my two days a week at Woodcraft. I don't do it for the money. I learn an amazing amount by meeting good woodworkers, by fixing broken machines, diagnosing woodworking problems that are so bizarre that I could not dream them up, and by playing with new tools.
MelMeasure your output in smiles per board foot.
Mel,
I worked for 10 years at the Geodesy and Gravity branch at the Air Force Geophysics Lab at Hanscom AFB back after I graduated from college in 81. It was very interesting work. We interfaced with NASA fairly regularly and I made a number of trips to Florida to a contractor that we had working for us in the geodetic field utilizing SEASAT altimeter data to define the geoid and the gravity field for the Air Force. I since moved out of the science research world into computers and have been there for the past 20 years. Thanks again for your post..Regards,
Buzzsaw
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie
Buzzsaw,
Interesting career. When kids are in college, they often think they are preparing for a career with a single focus. Little do they realize, as you and I found out, that careers take different and interesting turns if you let them.
Have fun woodworking.
MelMeasure your output in smiles per board foot.
D4R hands down if you can afford it. i just got an older model used and i love it! it can do it all and especially if you have a business like me it is real peace of mind to know you can really handle anything that needs dovetails and make them beautiful! hope this helps.
"I don't do it for the money."
I should say not! For all that fun, you should be paying them.
Tink,
"For all that fun, you should be paying them."Yeah, but not much. :-)
Mel
Measure your output in smiles per board foot.
Yeah, but not much. :-) THAT was FUNNY!
By the way.. 'Sliced' al my Panga-Panga on my band saw to rough width. Amasinz it happened on Wood Safety month/Year? whatever. I was ripping a 8 inch wide by 'about' 1 1/2 inch thick board about 9 foot long.. All went well and all of HELL broke loose!
REACTION WOOD! Sounded like my old US Rifle Caliber .30 M1 Garand
http://www.rt66.com/~korteng/SmallArms/m1rifle.html
Yep! I yelled incomming and fell to the floor covering my head! That board split and stopped the bandsaw cold! Well, almost stopped it. I have not moved that fast for years!
If you have ever split a new felled tree with wedges and it exploded you will recognize the sound. CRACK! One half of the board is useable. The other half turned into a snake! It knocked out a few teeth of my 1 inch wide bandsaw blade! Geeeeee.. And they say ripping on a bandsaw is safe? I wonder... Think I can use SOME of the other half!
And.. Lets see some new Bowls!
Edited 5/8/2008 6:20 am by WillGeorge
WillGeorge,
That was very interesting. Something else to watch out for. You asked about bowls. I have been collecting more wood for bowls. I have made four bowl blanks which are somewhat shaped by bandsaw and fully coated with wax. I have about six pieces of trees (a few cylinders and some half cylinders on the driveway with wax on the endgrain, and I will be getting more this Saturday. THis is the first time I have had this treasure trove of wood for bowls. Preparing it takes a bit of time.I have been asked by one company to put together a Web article with photos on using power carving tools to make bowls. They also want a video. THis will take some time. I took many photos of the process of making my last bowl and am incorporating them in the article. It will be fun to see how it turns out. You can find all sorts of info on traditional carving on the web and in libraries, but almost nothing on power carving. I have done searches on Amazon, on the rest of the web, and know the books that are available. Most focus on tools like Dremels for doing fine detailed carving of decorations. None focus on using the small 4" chainsaw blades and carving dishes on angle grinders. So we'll see how this turns out. Because of this, I haven't been on Knots much lately. Nothing personal.I was sorry to see the big thread die but "all good things must end someday". It was a great roll. Maybe we should all go back and have a funeral on the old thread. That might bring it up to 3000.Let me know your further adventures with the Panga Panga. Have fun.
MelMeasure your output in smiles per board foot.
I have been asked by one company to put together a Web article with photos on using power carving tools to make bowls.
Hell, you are so good I'd ask THEM for a professional production team to come and film what I do! Show them your NASA Credential.. May give them some inspiration to do it! GO MAN! You are Amazing'!
I haven't been on Knots much lately. Nothing personal. OK so I pissed ya off again? I'm sorry! Just me!
Most focus on tools like Dremels for doing fine detailed carving of decorations. None focus on using the small 4" chainsaw blades and carving dishes on angle grinders. ?????
I never saw ANYTHIN' 4" that fit my Demeral!
Let me know your further adventures with the Panga Panga. I just received today a E-Mail from my daughter that the new baby just found out how to roll roll over. Daughter asked for advice how to stop her from doing it? I told her the baby will get tried sometime!
I was going to work more but it has rained ALOT! I hate working in my shop (garage) with the doors closed!I cannot use my leaf blower to get the dust out!
Edited 5/8/2008 7:55 am by WillGeorge
WillGeorge,
The 4" chainsaw blades go on an Angle Grinder. A 4" chain saw blade will take off a lot more wood than a burr on a Dremel. The two things are completely different. A Dremel with a burr is good for low relief decoration. The angle grinder with the chain saw blade will remove a half inch wide strip that is a couple of inches deep. It is good for hollowing out the inside of a large bowl. Also for shaping the outside of the bowl. But it leaves deep and uneven tracks. So a Kutzall or a Galahad "carving dish" on the angle grinder, is used to finalize the general shape. They come in different grits, from REALLY coarse to fine. The really coarse ones have teeth that stick out an eighth of an inch. If you have two or three of these, you can move from smoothing out the chainsaw tracks, to shaping, to gentle shaping to refining the shape. Then you move through three or four grades of sandpaper on a motorized "spinning" sander. The sanders are either cylinders, which is good for the outside of a bowl, or are a "dome" which is good for inside the bowl. Using this sequence of tools reduces the time needed to make a big bowl from 2 or 3 days, using only hand tools, to less than a day. Of course, if you are looking for pure speed, nothing is faster than a lathe, but the lathe only does "round", and I like bowls which have shapes other than round.Not many people interested in this stuff. I can see why. But it has been a lot of fun for me. I wouldn't try to talk anyone else into doing it. I was looking for a venue to put together what I have learned so that if anyone else wants to learn, they can easily find what I have learned. One thing that I have been trying to find out in my "research" is: how few tools do you need to make a bowl, not how many? It is sort of like going through the grits on sandpaper. You can just use every other grit in the sequence and not lose anything eg 60, 120, 220, etc and skip the ones between them. Have fun.
MelMeasure your output in smiles per board foot.
Hi Mel,
I am having one heck of a time trying to order the Akeda BC24 Dovetail jig. Looks like Woodcraft is discontinuing Akeda all together. I could be wrong.
I have done a decent amount of research and like the learning curve on the Akeda as opposed to the Leigh and the price in comparison to the leigh and Omnijig 24".
Am I making a mistake? I'm getting a little jittery with the problems in just trying to find the darn thing and get it ordered.
Any advice would be appreciated,
Brian
Hi Brian,
I didn't know that Woodcraft is discontinuing the Akeda jig. I worked there today, and would have asked the manager. I'll ask the next time I go there. I don't believe that our store has any Akeda jigs in stock, and I don't think that we have sold any in a long time, so you may be right. Also, we haven't sold any of the Leigh jigs for a while. But we have sold a slew of Porter Cable OmniJigs. We ran out of them, and just got another shipment. I am not as familiar with the Akedas as I am with the Omnijigs and The Leigh jigs. I remember reading about the Akeda jigs and remember some good reviews of them, so I doubt you'll go wrong with one. But the Omnijigs, both the 18" and the 24" are easy to learn and to use. The 18" doesn't have variable spacing capability so it is even easier to use. The 24" is quite large, and of course, it is expensive. However, a lot of good engineering went into it. They started with the Leigh jig design because the patent ran out, and then they figured ways to make it very easy to use. Once you use it the first time, and lock in the adjustments, they are there forever. I used to use an old Sears Craftsman and remember having to get it set each time. Now I cut em by hand, but I don't do many because I am not in the business. I tend to think that the expensive dovetail jigs are really for the professionals who are churning out a lot of drawers. The 24" Omnijig is "spot on" for that situation, IMHO. You can look up Woodcraft on the web and give them a call on Monday, and ask if the Akeda is being phased out. That is a quick and easy way to find out. When you use the web, you get to Woodcraft Headquarters, and they will know.I hope that helps. I wish I had experience with the Akeda so I could be more specific. Good luck,
MelMeasure your output in smiles per board foot.
Mel:
Just for something to do.. I looked at the Omnijig.. NICE.. I did not use it, just looked. I think PC may have something... I'm not giving up my Leigh just yet!
Hi Mel, Thanks for your reply!
I'm really torn between PC and Akeda. It's not just pricing, although Akeda thru Thejigstore.com would be a easier buy. The Akeda looks to be a jig that I can use once a month or so (or every couple months) and not have to reread a lot of the manual or watch a DVD to catch up again.
I also like the repeatibility cause I plan on doing some production work. The Akeda 24" is smaller then the PC 24" Omnijig which is always important in a small shop and the reviews have been generally pretty darn good.
Right after I posted to you I actually got a call from the JigStore.com and they apologised for my having had some problems and I can order anytime. The only hesitation really is that PC is such a big name and customer service might be better if I need it.
Oh well, Think I'll just give it a bit more research.
Thanks again!
Brian
"Oh well, Think I'll just give it a bit more research."Brian:At this point, how is more research going to help? What nugget of information do you think will be revealed that will part the clouds and make this decision for you?A thread of over 60 is pretty long for the "what shall I buy" type of post on Knots. If you don't know now - you will probably never know.Here's a suggestion:Write down no more than six mutually exclusive criteria that YOU are looking for in a dovetail jig. Next rank order these in importance to YOU. Finally, allocate 100 points to your criteria, reflecting each criterion's significance - your #1 criterion should get the largest number of points and so on.Once you have your weighted criteria, take your consideration set, i.e., the jigs that you think will will work, and rate each one a one to ten scale, with ten being highest, against each of your criteria. So, if after-sales support is a criterion, you might rate P-C 8 and Akeda 6.Multiply your weight by the rate and add up the scores for a total for each jig. (Easier on a spreadsheet)Buy the jig with the highest score and make some furniture.Hastings
Or, you could also use the tail counting criterion.
If I have more than N number of dovetails to cut each day, I'll buy a jig. Otherwise I'll use all the research/jig larnin/setup time, etc. to cut them sans any jig.
It's amazing how fast you can cut them without any jig at all. Variable spacing - no problem. Different styles - no problem. No dust collection required, no shreeking/whining router. Self satisfaction.
Now back to my favorite music whilst making dovetails..............
Regards,Bob @ Kidderville Acres
A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!
I appreciate your input. Very helpful.
Brian
Hi Buzz
I,m a superintendent of a custom home building company.I do all of their built ins and custom trim work.I build furniture and cabinets in my spare time as a hobby.
That being said I am humbled (REALLY) by the experience and abilities of the others in this response group. I,m just surprised that no one has mentioned the Leigh jig.
The D24 has all of the requirements your looking for and can be added to to do a number of other things ( M@T , special joints,sliding dovetail joints,etc.).
The learning curve to use it and the quality of the jig and the results you get are worth the investment.
I,m 56 and am feeling the time crunch also. Hand cut doves are a blast to do but sometimes you have the need for speed. Also the PC starts at $600.00 not including all the extra fixtures to do other operations.
Edited 4/27/2008 4:44 pm ET by Bodabing
Thanks Bobading,
I will have to look closer at the D24...I appreciate the post.Regards,
Buzzsaw
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie
I'm surprised no one has mentioned Woodrat. Luv mine.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIz8c2umqxM
Quick little videos
knuts,
Thanks for the post. It looks like quite the rig...Regards,
Buzzsaw
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie
I hope you find what works for you. Here's a link to some pix I took a coupla years ago of a small chest project. All joints: drawer DT, sliding DT, M&Ts, screw slots, etc were made on the Woodrat. Even though I had just bought it, I remember that I finished all 4 drawers before lunch.
http://www.ncwoodworker.net/pp/showgallery.php?cat=632
Good luck,
Joe
Joe,
Very impressive work! I love the variation in the dovetails you introduced for each drawer. Very nice...Regards,
Buzzsaw
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie
Buzz:
I had been searching for a dovetail jig for a couple of years but just couldn't cough up the dough for the leighs. When they came out with the "super jig" at a good price, I jumped at it. Has worked beautifully. I too value time and like my power tools, even though my name is not Norm. Super jig gets my vote. PMM
Thanks pmmatty,
Your opinion is much appreciated. Decisions, decisions...:-)Regards,
Buzzsaw
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie
The answer to your question has a lot to do with economics. If you want to spend $500-600 I would get the Leigh DR4. It is 24" wide and can make all the variations you can think of. I have not used the new Omnijig, but have seen it and it is a clone of the DR4. They may have made some intersting tweeks on it so if you want a jig that large check it out. I have an old 24" Omnijig, but I don't use it because I don't like 24" of space holding a 6"drawer side. I have the Keller, the PC 4212($120) you mentioned, the Leigh Super Jig 12"($199). The only issue with variable spaced jigs is time. You cut the pins and tails in separate operations, where with the 4212 you cut them all at once, but you have to size your drawers by the 1/4" (4 1/4", 5 1/4", 6 1/4" etc.). The 4212 has a through dovetail attachment,but I don't like it. If I am making lots of drawers at once I use my 4212 if I am making a few or I want through dovetails I use the Leigh SuperJig. With either jig I strongly advise getting the Whiteside bits for those jigs. You can check all this out at a Woodcraft store. I love the Vac attachment on the SuperJig (worth it) The Omnijig now has a 16" size ($429) might want to check it out. http://www.woodcraft.com/depts.aspx?DeptID=2277
Edited 4/30/2008 7:04 am ET by terrylee86
TerryLee86,
Thanks so much for your comprehensive post! It will be very helpful in making my decision.
Regards,
Buzzsaw
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie
Pretty classy, going through and thanking people individually for their help. In this day and age I am impressed.
Terry
TerryLee86,
The way I look at it is if someone can take the time to respond to a complete stranger I think that deems a thankful response. I really do appreciate this site and forum and anyone who has ever helped me in this field of woodworking. Thanks again.Regards,
Buzzsaw
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie
I own a Leigh jig D4R, it accommodates up to 24", does through and blind dovetails with infinite spacing possibilities. Worth the money!
jclare,
May I ask what you paid for it?Regards,
Buzzsaw
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie
I vote for Leigh D4R however their new one may be better but am not familiar with it.
I went onto the Leigh site and the D4R looks outstanding. The ease with which you can adjust the pins and tails is amazing. But that ease comes with a price. Maybe a good long-term investment. Thanks for your post.Regards,
Buzzsaw
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie
I went onto the Leigh site and the D4R looks outstanding. The ease with which you can adjust the pins and tails is amazing. But that ease comes with a price. Maybe a good long-term investment. Thanks for your post
I have one and I love it.. HOWEVER takes some THOUGHT to use it.. I forget ALOT at my age!
If your are not very old and have good short term memory the perfect tool! :>)...
By the way I got the Leigh MFT this winter.. I have to practice! I have three beds to make and some toys with tenons! ALOT of Tenons to make to make for the new grandbabies! AND if I do OK with that some miniature Doll beds!
Edited 5/8/2008 8:07 am by WillGeorge
Edited 5/8/2008 8:08 am by WillGeorge
WillGeorge,
I am turning the big 50 in June so you could call me old or relatively I could be called young. That being said, I feel very young so I am hoping I could figure out the D4R. Can you tell me what you paid for it?Regards,
Buzzsaw
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie
I would tell you but I do not remember how much I spent on it. It was expensive but I have never regretted getting it.
As far as I know you will find that anyone that sells it has has same price. I could be wrong.
I noticed that whenever Rockler sends out a % off coupon there is always a disclaimer that says "This coupon does not pertain to Leaigh jigs, etc" so you are probably right. Thanks for your posts.Regards,
Buzzsaw
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie
I'll bet Leigh is in the same arena with Festool, SawStop and others who mandate by contract the final selling price distributors may establish.Greg
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Exo 35:30-35<!---->
"WillGeorge,I am turning the big 50 in June so you could call me old or relatively I could be called young. That being said, I feel very young so I am hoping I could figure out the D4R. Can you tell me what you paid for it? "
I have the D4R and love it. The instruction manual is excellent and a quick watch of the DVD that comes with it will refresh your memory. My first project was the recommended box to mount it on. I reviewed the manual the night before and watched the DVD. Went into the shop and made my first dovetail box. Went great. My first real project was next (the reason I justified the purchase to the wife). I made a cedar chest for the niece. It had a large number of DT's and they came out perfect. I'm sold. I will make a recommendation if you go this route. Get a centering pin for your base plate so that the plate with collar in it is dead center over your collar. If it's slightly off, you could have issues. As to price, you can look on E-bay for used. You see them occasionally appear, but they go for near retail. I could not wait any longer and ended up going to woodcraft. I used my wife's 10% birthday coupon (yea all my kids are registered as well). When I called to order I asked about the coupon and they said the only thing off limits was power tools. So if memory serves it was around 34-35 bucks discount. I'm waiting for a set of bear's ears templates to show up on E-bay. Good luck on the decision, but if you get the d4r you won't be disappointed. Take care.
Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it.
Edited 5/9/2008 7:58 am by bones
Bones,
This is great info. I appreciate an experienced user's opinion and I will probably spring for this sometime soon. I just received a new 15% off Rockler coupon and it is called "It's your personal sale day" and in the asterisk at the bottom it says:*One time use only. Cannot be combined with any other offer. Excludes gift cards, power tools, Stark CNC, Leigh products, Festool, Curly Waterfall Bubinga, shipping charges, previous orders, sale items and other promotions includgin AE, BE, CE, DE, EE, FE, GE and HE catalogs. Not valid at our independent Partner Resellers. Expires 5/26/2008.So at least this one excludes Leigh products. I will be turning 50 on June 11th so if I get another "birthday" coupon maybe it won't have the Leigh disclaimer in it but I doubt it. It sounds like they may have added Leigh since you bought your D4R.Thanks so much for your post.Regards,
Buzzsaw
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie
Definately go with the birthday coupon. Call in to the 800 number and order. Originally the store had said no to the leigh in person with the coupon. I called and read the fine print and said it only mentioned no to power tools. The girl on the order line said no problem and gave me the discount. By the way, I have two kids 12 & 17. They and the wife are registered with woodcraft. I get 4 discounts (1 a quarter) a year that way. Of course, I only get things with the kid's & wife's coupons they reall need (hee hee). Take care. Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it.
Bones,
Thanks for the info. I have two girls, 13 and 17, so it sounds like we have a lot in common...Regards,
Buzzsaw
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie
God bless man!Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it.
Cut'em by hand.
Frank Klausz video is amazing. I hate that word, but in this case it is true. I watched the video once, and with the barest of handtools cut a dovetail drawer in about 30 minutes.
It took me 8 hours to set up the Leigh jig.
Regards,
Scooter
"I may be drunk, but you're crazy, and I'll be sober tomorrow." WC Fields, "Its a Gift" 1934
I have a Leigh Super 18 and I love it. For the money, you cannot beat it. I just cut dovetails for a box carcass tonight in white oak, and they are flawless.
Consider it.
Jeff
Thanks. That is another one I have to look into...Regards,
Buzzsaw
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie
It's worth looking at. Nice piece of work.Jeff
You know the more I think of it I think they also have a 12" dovetail jig that may be all I really need, at least for the foreseeable future (and I'll save some $$). I can't see myself cutting dovetails in anything larger than 12" because I think I will use this specifically for drawers. I like the Leigh products and I know they have quite a line of different-sized jigs. My prerequisite is for the jig to allow you to cut variably-spaced dovetails and I think they all do that. Thanks for your post.Regards,
Buzzsaw
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie
One nice thing about the larger version (D4?) is that it has enough room to set up a right and a left side if you want them to look a bit different. Or if you have a couple sizes. For instance of late I have done a lot of 4" drawers so I was leaving the set up for the 4" off to one side and using the other side for what ever other size I needed.
That being said if they had a smaller version that had the full adjustable features of the big one a few years ago I may have opted to save the money. But it is something to think about.
Doug
Doug
Doug,
That's a good point. I'm glad you brought it up and one I will have to consider.Regards,
Buzzsaw
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie
The only reason I bought the 18" is Leigh offers some add-ons for the 18" you can't get on the 12". For instance, dedicated box joint fingers that cut many different sizes of box joints. They also offer a template for the bear/clover pattern on the 18" but not on the 12".
I will have to consider those added features as well. Thanks for the heads up.Regards,
Buzzsaw
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie
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