Replies

1. 
   polarsea1 | Feb 16, 2005 08:47am | #1

   Like you, I have an upcoming project that will require a lot of dovetailed drawers and I'm looking pretty hard at the Katie Jig.

   I read the review/comparison (available online) that was written in FWW 1999 and the negative points seem to have been addressed since then. The user's manual is online and I read through it - seems very simple and straightforward. 

2. 
   kenney66 | Feb 17, 2005 01:16am | #2

   As a new woodworker I recommend the Leigh Jig.  If I can figure it out anyone can.  The manual is good and its not a bad idea to take a class if they are available.  I just finished my first project and it came out very good.  I did make lots of practice cuts on cheap soft poplar but evenutlly it worked great.  Good luck

   BK

    

3. 
   BrentS | Feb 17, 2005 02:08am | #3

   Go with the Leigh.The manual is very easy to use if you realize that they take you through every step like a babe in hand.Usually,what they spend 10 pages on explaining can be done in 2 minutes.Read it over with the jig in front of you once, then get hands on.It has to be the best and most detailed set of instructions I've ever seen.

    I've had one for years and never a complaint.As a matter of fact,just this week I bought the MT2 template that goes on it for making mortise and tenon(Not the FMT)and within 30 minutes I was cutting them on my project.

   The jig is not as complicated as some people make it out to be,you'll get use to it really fast.On top of that ,no other dovetail jig is as versatile.If you're just making one drawer ,do it by hand,but anything more than that this jig is your way to go.

                                                                            Brent

1. 
   Oprev | Feb 18, 2005 05:19am | #4

   Brent,

   We have an excellent jig made in Australia called the Gifkins Dovetail Jig. It varies from the Leigh in that it holds the piece to be dovetailed and uses a table mounted router. I have used it with great success for all through dovetails. Quick setup and quite a bit cheaper than the Leigh. It is available in the US and has a web site: http://www.gifkins.com.au for more info.

   Peter

1. 
   BrentS | Feb 18, 2005 07:14am | #5

   I've seen the jig on Japan Woodworkers site.It looks interesting.The thing I like about the Leigh is complete control over spacing,you design the joint around the project,not the project around the joint.Also, there is the mortise template ,finger joint template, and a variety of isoloc templates available.I don't think there is another jig available that can produce all these joints plus such a range in sizes of dovetail joint.I would think though ,from looking at the Gifkin that it would be a better choice for small projects such as jewelery boxes where you want a little more control of the small components.Thanks for the info,I may just try one out.

                                                                              Brent