PC 4212 dovetail jig, routers & template guides

[venkatbo]

Hi folks,

Have a few questions... 'am thinking of getting the PC 4212 dovetail jig:

1. Will it work with the Hitachi M12v or Bosch 1617EVSPK routers ?
2. Also, to work with Bosch rtr does one need to get the RA1125 7-Piece Template Guide Set ?
3. In the case of the Hitachi M12V is there such a template guide set that will allow it to work with the dovetail jig ?

Thanks,
/venkat

[final_t]

I use this with the Bosch. The Bosch template things are too tall, so I use the Milescraft base with the plastic ones that I cut down with a coping saw. Made a bunch of shop drawers with this setup.

[drumpriest]

final_t, there is a bosch made adaptor to accept porter cable bushings. It has a quick release also, so could get a bushing that was metal if you liked.

[final_t]

final_t, there is a bosch made adaptor to accept porter cable bushings. It has a quick release also, so could get a bushing that was metal if you liked.

I should have pointed out that I already had the milescraft base before I had the PC unit. But I'll looksee for the adapter - might be useful. Thanks!

[LarryG]

Another option would be to get one of Pat Warner's clear plastic subbases for the Bosch, with the 1-3/16" stepped opening required to accept the P-C bushings included with the P-C 4212 jig. If you don't need any other size bushings, this would likely be your cheapest option (and you'd get the benefit of a clear baseplate for other routing jobs, too ... I'm with Warner in wondering why all mfrs don't include clear bases as standard equipment).

[Jeffrey Schronce]

You don't have to get the RA1125, just the RA-1100 only. I would not recommend getting the RA-1125. As noted the bushings in the RA-1125 set will not work with the PC jig, and I get no use out of any of the bushings except the RA-1125. Getting the Pat Warner sub-base would not be cheaper than getting the RA-1100. RA-1100 snaps right in, cost $8 and accepts the PC Bushings that are included with the 4212.
I just used Bosch 1617 Fixed base with RA-1100 and the bushings and bits included with the 4212. A little under 25 minutes to produce my first DT which was just barely shallow. I lowerd bit a tiny bit and 3 minutes later I producted a PERFECT joint. I love this jig and would highly recommend it. Though others have gotten good results with other cheaper jigs (namely HF), I absolutely could not get the HF set up correctly. Plus with the other jigs you much buy bushings, bits, etc. The bushing and bits included with the 4212 are worth $40-$50. Plus you have the through dovetail and box joint options included. I picked mine up during a sale at Amazon for like $110 shipped.

Edit : RA-1100 linky . . . .
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...lance&n=228013
You may be able to buy it at a local store as well.

[newood2]

Hey Jeffrey, I,m glad the 4212 worked out for you. To jump from 10hr trial setup on the HF to 28mins setup on the PC, that must be a nice jig.
Good for you and thanks for the hands-on ease of use comparison commentary.

Howie

[Jeffrey Schronce]

Hey Jeffrey, I,m glad the 4212 worked out for you. To jump from 10hr trial setup on the HF to 28mins setup on the PC, that must be a nice jig.
Good for you and thanks for the hands-on ease of use comparison commentary.

Howie

The first joints I did with the HF jig a few months ago were the closest to being ok. They seemed to progressively get worse. I wanted to time exactly how long it took me to bang out a proper DT with the new jig. 28 minutes included changing collet, setting depth, setting guides, installing bushings and every thing except reading the manual which I did the night before. In fact I did not have the manual out there with me today! There are a lot of directions on the jig itself.
Just seemed like with the HF (or any other jig that does not come with all the parts) there are too many compatibility issues that could go wrong. Bushing too big, small, deep, shallow, etc. Bit wrong degree, size, etc. Retro fitting other templates, from other jigs. There was just too much there to go wrong, plus PC made some huge "patented" (they use this word in every other sentence with this jig) advances such as bit depth guide. Just sit the router with the loose bit in the "patented" depth gauge and you're done. If I had ever gotten the bit right in the HF jig, I would never had the heart to ever change the bit or setting again. Same with the settings on the jig. The PC alignment guides are preset, which seemed to be a problem for me with the HF.
The through DTs look just as easy, as does the variable space through dovetails. I'll put something together on that experience soon.

Short REview of the jig :
http://media.ptg-online.com/20060509...ovetailJig.pdf