Use Rocklers New Dovetail Set Up for HF?

[Jeffrey Schronce]

27308 - Rockler Dovetail Set Up Jig

I've heard folks talking about HF Dovetail Jig being a great value and pretty much identical to Rockler Jig. I've heard a lot of folks complaining about HF set up, even with improved instructions. What do you think of the Rockler Setup Jig?

[Salty]

I don't have one but I know someone who does. That person liked the 1-piece offset spacer of the Rockler. Also liked the templet better and the Rockler comes with the bit and guide bushing.
If I were to buy one it would be the Rockler over the HF. But since I can borrow one I may not buy one :-)

[MBG]

I recently got the P-C 4212 on sale at Amazon. I previously had the HF. I agree both fixtures will cut dovetails but I don't do them that often and don't have a dedicated router for the jig. That said - I cut an (almost) perfect DT in less than 5 min. with the P-C and got close in about 1 hour of trial and error with the HF. Also, the P-C fixture probably weighs about 2x the HF.

[Jeffrey Schronce]

I guess I should clarify. I have the HF jig right now. I was wondering if this new set up jig from Rockler would speed up the set up process.

Salty, what exactly makes the PC so much easier?

[JimD]

I use the HF jig and also have an older jig that I made using parts from WoodSmith a decade or more ago. They span the two types of dovetail jigs although the new PC jig's capabilities to do through dovetails and several other enhancements put it into a different catagory. I believe the Rockler has a plastic template guide versus the aluminum of the HF. My old jig is also plastic. Both work but I perfer the aluminum. My old jig has fixed 7/16 offset spacing to work with a 7/16 template guide. I believe the new PC is also fixed and I presume the Rockler is since you are considering it. The HF has variable spacing and can thus more easily be used with template guides with different spacing. That is important to me because the HF comes with a 1/2 template and I like plans from WoodSmith with drawers that assume 7/16 spacing. With either type of jig, if you do not swap template guides, you can set the side spacing once and pretty much forget it. To do this, however, you must ignore some of the instructions in the better instructions for the HF jig. I just adjust the left-hand stops for the right offset on the HF jig with them as far to the left as possible and use it that way. There is no need to center the wood in the jig like the instructions talk about unless you are making a drawer that is not an even interval of the jig (7/8 for a 7/16 template and 1 inch for a 1/2 inch template). I plan my drawers to be an even interval so I do not move the stops.

I think the biggest difference is one of the more confusing adjustments of the HF jig. It has a separate stop for the depth of cut into the drawer front piece that the older style jigs do not have. With my older jig, you position the whole template in and out to control depth. Once you get it set, it is another pretty much set and forget setting. The HF stop has to be adjusted each time you change to a different drawer side thickness. I have pretty much standardized on 1/2 inch baltic birch for drawer sides so I do not change this much. I like the fact that this is more easily and flexibly adjustable but it requires more attention. With my old jig, I was never able to get perfect dovetails with 1/2 inch plywood that is a little under 1/2 thick. With the HF jig, I get perfect dovetails in the baltic birch.

My bottom line is I would not buy the Rockler if I had the HF. I do not think there is enough difference to spend the money. The PC would be another story.

Jim