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Hello to all,
I recently bought a Leigh Dovetail Jig (Model 1285R, which predates the D3 and D4 models, but is otherwise identical). After spending many hours reading the manual and creating a dozen test joints, I found the jig to create reasonably tight and accurate joints.
I noticed that my 7/16″ guide bushing wasn’t centered on my Porter Cable 693 plunge base, and was wondering whether that was contributing to fitting error? Does the jig’s geometry counter such an offset, provided the router is held in the same orientation all the time? Or, will I have to buy/build a new base that is centered? I’ve noticed that if I unscrew one of the three screws that fasten the base to the plunge mechanism, it centers the base slightly, but not enough.
Your thoughts would be appreciated.
Regards,
Dan Paris
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I don't own a Leigh, but as long as the bit is centered in the guide bushing you should be ok. Where the guide is actually mounted in the base shouldn't matter. Also taking one of the screws out sounds pretty dangerous to me...I'd put it back in.
Check the jig and make sure that the adjustable guides are tightened properly (they could be moving/flexing). Or the workpiece itself could be moving slightly...
*I have a Leigh jig and noticed the problem as well. My observation was that the bushing was loose in the center hole of the router base plate. It may sound like a jury rig, but all I needed to do to solve the problem was to put a single wrap of electrical tape around themajor diameter of the bushing to take up all the play in the hole. The bushing is perfectly centered using this technique and the joints fit great.
*I went through the same trials and tribulations learning how to best setup my leigh jig, and yes, a properly aligned and centered guide bushing is critical.
*I replaced the plastic plate on my routers base with one made of clear plastic.After getting all the mounting screws properly located and countersunk,I mounted the plate on my plunge router. Then I drilled and reamed 3- 1/8"holes for steel dowel pins.This assures me that the plate always goes back on the base in the same position.Next,I mounted a 1/4" spiral bit in the chuck and plunged a pilot hole thru the plastic base.Using this hole as a reference, I mounted the new plate in the lathe and bored the opening for the template guide.The 1.187" dia hole is for the threaded shank of the guide.The 1.375" counterbore is what centers the guide.This was several years ago.So far, no more problems.PAT
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