new D4R and questions

[drumpriest]

Well, today I picked up a new Leigh D4R, got a great deal on it by my reconing, at 408$. Anyway, I brought it home, assembled it, and started to try and play with it by cutting through dovetails in 3/4" cherry. The trouble is that I cannot get the bit to extend low enough to make this cut.

I have both a Bosch 1617 and a Ryobi 3 base, and neither of them had enough travel with the coller to allow for this cut. Is this common? Surely this jig cannot only work with a PC router, right? Any hints or tips? Should I just reveal more of the bit from the collet?

Thanks all, and thanks for your input on choosing this jig,

[kwgeorge]

Yep, you just extend the bit from the collar some more.

Ken

[drumpriest]

Thanks Ken, here's my first attempt at a through dovetail with the Leigh jig. Nice jig, I must say. Now to get a couple of 3/8" collets or at least 1 more adaptor, so that I can setup 2 routers. 3/4" cherry, btw...

[bigsteel15]

Thanks Ken, here's my first attempt at a through dovetail with the Leigh jig. Nice jig, I must say. Now to get a couple of 3/8" collets or at least 1 more adaptor, so that I can setup 2 routers. 3/4" cherry, btw...

be careful, that is 8mm collet, not 3/8". Big difference.
Whiteside (Holbren) sell Leigh bits with 1/2" shank.
http://www.holbren.com/product.php?p...&cat=35&page=1

[drumpriest]

You are correct, if course, and I knew that, not sure why I typed 3/8 to be honest. Thanks for the heads up though.

[kwgeorge]

I had possession of a friends D4 for quite some time and I liked it. When I decided to buy my own I bought the D1600 for several reasons, first I never found the need or desire to vary the pin size, second it was rather large and hard to store in the shop. I also figured if I ever found a need for the larger capacity I would just use his for that job. I must say that I do love my Leigh and would not part with it. My first through dovetails were perfect and all since have been. At first I was like you and a bit worried about extending the bit so much but have yet to have any issues. I did however purchase the 8mm collet for the PC router as I don’t like the adapters very much. It was rather cheap and something you should think about.

Congratulations on your first through dovetails with your new jig! They look great!

Ken

[drumpriest]

Thanks again Ken. It's a real joy, I've used the rockler and pc jigs, and the leigh is heads and shoulders above the rest, easy to see the price tag. I was seriously considering the 1600, but figured I might as well go all out on it.

[Holbren]

be careful, that is 8mm collet, not 3/8". Big difference.
Whiteside (Holbren) sell Leigh bits with 1/2" shank.
http://www.holbren.com/product.php?p...&cat=35&page=1

Thanks Brian. I actually have them all 1/4", 8mm and 1/2" as well as the 8mm collet reducer.

As to the original question, do you know the Leigh bits are usually longer than any old dovetail bit? Are you using Leigh branded bits or those made to the same dimensions?

[SHADOWFOX]

Well, today I picked up a new Leigh D4R, got a great deal on it by my reconing, at 408$.

That is one heck of a price for the D4R, Congrats!! If you don't mind me asking, where did you get it for that price?

[drumpriest]

Local woodcraft has a weekend event yearly. They had a 15% off coupon if you got there between 7-9am. They didn't have the jig in stock, but agreed to honor the coupon for it if I wanted to order it. The local Rockler matched the coupon and had the jig in stock.