Looking for a comparison of three joiners machines and what their strong and weak points are. 1. Porter Cables new dovetail jig, Woodteks Match maker and the soon to be released Router Boss. They all get up close to the 1000$ range. How hard are they to set up. The router boss dose not have templates??? This is still a hobby to me but I want something versatile, accurate but not take forever to set up. Any help? I know it is hard as the router Boss has not been released.
Mike Perron
Jeffersonville Vermont
Replies
These are three very different machines:
The new Porter Cable jig cuts only the joints the available templates are set up to do. But from the reviews I have read is well thought out and easy to adjust and use.
With the match maker you are again limited to the templates available. but it is supposed to be more capable of production quantity runs.
The Router Boss is a take off on the "Woodrat", and is a three axis guide system, similar to a CNC machine, but with the guidance coming from you and a few measuring devices if you elect to use it with them. The original idea with the Woodrat was that you used one piece to visually guide you in the production of it's mate. Check out "woodrat" on youtube, and watch the demo videos they have posted.
I have had a "rat" for years, and it is a joint making machine, not just a dovetail jig. It is as versatile as your imagination. That said, it is also limited by your imagination. But, even then, it is less limited than the other choices.
I have had a "rat" for years, and it is a joint making machine, not just a dovetail jig. It is as versatile as your imagination. That said, it is also limited by your imagination. But, even then, it is less limited than the other choices.
Me too, and couldn't have said it better (or as well!)
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