Sommerfeld Dovetail Jig - Feb 13-20 2025

[twistsol]

The Sommerfeld Dovetail Jig is on sale for $226 and includes both of the necessary bits. It isn't a huge savings off the full price but it is an outstanding dovetail jig. I've been using this jig for nearly 20 years and it has performed flawlessly.

[dbhost]

Not meaning to redirect folks exactly, but other dovetail jigs are currently on sale that have been in use by folks here...

For Through Dovetails, I have been using the MLCS Pins and Tails set with the 1/2" shank bit. Hvalley has those on sale for $49.95 but yes it needs some assembly...

https://www.hvalleytools.com/product...outer-dovetail

Going to need the wooden block cut to size and a slot for some T track, the T track and mounting hardware of course, and some T Track clamps. These go for $24.00, there are some from Milescraft that go for $18.00...

https://www.hvalleytools.com/product...outer-dovetail

I am assuming you have extra T track laying around the shop like I do so not linking that...

I have been using mine without the T track or clamps just using quick grips and it has been working great for years. Very simple device. And currently on sale for about half what I paid for mine almost 18 years ago.

For half blind dovetails I have been using the Harbor Freight jig. https://www.harborfreight.com/dovetail-jig-59785.html Regular price at $39.99

The MLCS Master Dovetail / Box Joint jig that does half blind and through dovetails as well as box joints is also on sale for $209.95 at hvalley as well. https://www.hvalleytools.com/product...outer-dovetail

[LCHIEN]

This full through dovetail jig actually looks a lot simpler to set up than the half blind ones.

I guess the difference is the through dovetails look better
The half blind you make one pass with one bit to cut two sides.
The through jig takes two passes with two different bits.

I'm tempted. $50 is a good price. Like I need more stuff.

[twistsol]

The Sommerfeld jig is very easy to set up since the only necessary adjustment is the bit height and it uses bits with bearings so there is now guide busing to worry about. It also has variable spacing so you can make the tails any size you want. The pins are a fixed size so while it is more flexible than the fixed template jigs, it is no where near the flexibility of the Leigh jigs.

The half blind jig I have (Porter Cable 4112) is such a fiddly pain to get set up correctly that I have a router dedicated to it so I never have to change the settings.