Replies

1. 
   bones | Sep 18, 2007 09:03pm | #1

   Love mine. I bought it for a chest and I was making perfect joints quick.  I have the d4r.  I used my wifes 10% birthday discount at woodcraft to get mine.  The instructions and dvd are first rate.  You will not have any problems.  My next purchase is the bear ears template. 

    

   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.
   
2. 
   [email protected] | Sep 18, 2007 10:32pm | #2

   I would suggest you look at the Woodrat instead.  It is a lot more versatile, and will allow you to cut virtually any traditional joint. 

   http://www.woodrat.com/

   There are also nine or ten short demonstration videos on you tube.  They will give you a good understanding of it's capabilities. 

   Not trying to down play the Leigh Jigs, but the Woodrat will 90+% of what the D4 and their tennoning jig combined will do, plus a whole bunch of stuff they can't. 

3. 
   gcg | Sep 18, 2007 11:59pm | #3

   If you look back a bit you'll see I asked a similar question.  I have not used the D4R yet but thats what I bought.  I will be starting some drawers with it here in the next week or two.  For me it was going to be a leigh either way and I decided on the D4R instead of the super jig just for the bit more versatility.

   I looked at the woodrat and it looks like a marvelous jig but I want something dedicated to DTs.  In my opinion a dedicated tool or jig performs its function better and more efficiently than a jack of all trades.

   For now all I can say is that the fit and finish of the tool is all anyone could expect.  Also the manual and video are terrific.  Quite a departure from most woodworking tools. 

1. 
   dougmeyer | Sep 19, 2007 12:49am | #4

   We (I say we because I bought it and my dad uses it) have a DR4 or a D4R or what ever the heck it is. I have not really used it (just played around with it a bit) Pops on the other hand has made about 20 drawers with it in the last few months and we (I say we because he paid this time) bought the dust attachment today.  Have not used that yet (either of us)

   At this point I like it (from the little I have used it) and the old guy likes it so take that for what it is worth. I expect in the next couple days Pops should be back at it again (he was waiting for the dust attachment) as we have about another 6 or so drawers to make.

   I will post again when we have played with the new attachment a bit.

   Doug Meyer

2. 
   tazzer | Sep 19, 2007 04:36am | #5

   I'm considering one of these too,what is the "Bit More Versatility"?

1. 
   gcg | Sep 19, 2007 04:49pm | #8

   The versatility I was speaking of is mostly in the variable sized pins you can make with the D4R.  This is not an option with the super jig.  Some may consider this inconsequential but for the $100 bucks difference I did not want to be wishing I had this option over the life of the tool.  There are a couple other small advantages with the D4R such as a greater range of bit sizes and such. 

   The biggest reason the super jig was attractive, besides price, was the fact that you can do the pins and tails at the same time on half blind DTs.  If you are going to be making many more of these than anything else and you want it to go a little faster maybe this is the model you want.  I decided I could put up with a little less convenience in the HBs with the gain in options on all other DTs. 

   If you go to Leigh's website they have a nice PDF where you can compare the two jigs.  Good luck.

1. 
   tazzer | Sep 19, 2007 08:33pm | #9

   I probably won't want to be wishing either,Thanks for the info.

4. 
   bret | Sep 19, 2007 06:09am | #6

   I have had mine for about a year now. It is the best investment I have made.

   As a matter of fact I was so impressed that I have recently purchased the FMT Mortise and Tennon Jig

   Bret

1. 
   gillwright | Sep 19, 2007 07:48am | #7

   I got mine delivered on Monday from Lee Valley in Canada. The price dropped $100 as the new models are coming out. This one does a bit more than the new less costly models but i really like the solid construction.
   I spent the evening in the shop with the DVD playing on my laptop, and followed the directions step by step, pausing to do my setups. I must admit, the dovetails came out looking fantastic! And another thing that I like is that you can space the dovetails apart with as many tails as you wish.Two thumbs up!

5. 
   Dockside | Sep 19, 2007 10:56pm | #10

   Corrib

   Don't want to steal your post... but have you considered the new PC Omni jig?  I have had the Leigh on my wish list for a long time but thought it over priced.  When the PC came out with the movable fingers at a $150 less I decided to buy it but have not been able to find it.  Now that the Leigh has a little competion and has come down in price I'll have to take a close look at the differences.

   Ric

1. 
   dougmeyer | Sep 20, 2007 02:35am | #11

   Ok, played with the DC attachment a bit (and my father made about 4 drawers with it today) and it seams to work very well. Also it makes the jig a bit nicer as it helps support the router so you are always flat and level. Over all a nice add on.

   Oh if you get this I suggest you get either a shop vac that turns on with the router when it is plugged into the vac or one of the addaptors that does this for you. Otherwise you will be asking to forget to turn the vac on (or never turn it off)

   So I suggest that you get the Jig and get the attachment and have fun with it.

   Doug Meyer

6. 
   BarryO | Sep 20, 2007 05:05am | #12

   'love my D4!

7. 
   woodhacker | Sep 20, 2007 06:25am | #13

   I started with a 12" Leigh jig "way back when" and then about 15 years ago upgraded to the D4 for the extra capacity. It's been used for lots of drawers and still works as it did when it was new. I've got the dust pickup attachment on order - Leigh seems to be slow in getting these to the dealers. This will not only grab a large part of the mess the router makes, but should allow me to retire the "parking bench" I'd made to allow the router to stay on the jig when I switch boards.

   Leigh is to be commended for their excellent documentation. The owner's guide that came with my jig (back before the days of dvds being common) is clearly written and illustrated, describes what you need to do and how to do it.

   If you're going to be using the smaller bits (not the ones with 1/2" shanks) I'd very strongly recommend that you get a 1/2 to 8mm adapter collet and run 8mm shank bits rather than 1/4" bits. I made this switch about 5 years ago. Virtually eliminates the chatter I used to have and produces smoother dovetails and pins. Highland Hardware is one source of the collet adapters and 8mm shank bits.

1. 
   rm | Sep 20, 2007 07:55am | #14

   I have an older D3 jig and like it alot.  Its fairly easy to use and as mentioned by others the manuals are top rate.  I also agree with running 8mm shanks rather than 1/4", especially in hardwoods.  I recently ordered 8mm bits from Leigh and that semed to smooth things out.