HF Dovetail Jig - Thumbs down

[BrazosJake]

I bought the HF Dovetail jig the other day for $29.99, and have to say the "value" is questionable at best. As has been observed in previous posts, the instructions are near useless, the cast aluminum template is rough enough to slice your fingers on if not careful, and, on mine, one of the bolts for the pin board hold-down is bent about 10* and won't tighten down very far. The advertised 1 1/4" maximum stock thickness is a joke. With the template fully-extended, the fingers barely reach the edge of a 3/4" tail board.

I saw where some folks have bought the Rockler templates to replace the awful stock template on this jig. So there you've tacked on another $15 to this "value" jig. Then, if you don't already have them, $10 - $20 for a dovetail bit and another couple of bucks for a 7/16" template guide bushing. Factor in just the jig, bit, & bushing, and you're up to the $49.95 cost of the MLCS DT jig, which comes with everything and is probably much better quality.

Starting over again, that's the route I'd go (may still).

[paulstenlund]

Take it back to HF, I got the Rockler last Dec for $89, blind and thru templates, 3 good bits, bushings, good instructions, fine fit and finish. No regrets for the bucks.Maybe it will be on sale again

[Lee4847]

From the guy that bought a Rockler guide and retrofited it to the HF Jig..
RUN back to HF and return it!!

[ctxman]

Download this manual and see if it help you any...

http://www.woodstockint.com/Products/23000000

[John Hunter]

Guess I was lucky, the one I bought last year works great. The instructions suckled but once I worked around that I have used it several times and gotten very nice results.

[messmaker]

I bought the HF Dovetail jig the other day for $29.99, and have to say the "value" is questionable at best. As has been observed in previous posts, the instructions are near useless, the cast aluminum template is rough enough to slice your fingers on if not careful, and, on mine, one of the bolts for the pin board hold-down is bent about 10* and won't tighten down very far. The advertised 1 1/4" maximum stock thickness is a joke. With the template fully-extended, the fingers barely reach the edge of a 3/4" tail board.

I saw where some folks have bought the Rockler templates to replace the awful stock template on this jig. So there you've tacked on another $15 to this "value" jig. Then, if you don't already have them, $10 - $20 for a dovetail bit and another couple of bucks for a 7/16" template guide bushing. Factor in just the jig, bit, & bushing, and you're up to the $49.95 cost of the MLCS DT jig, which comes with everything and is probably much better quality.

Starting over again, that's the route I'd go (may still).

It my be the way to go but most of the lower priced jigs are a whole lot the same. I would be suprised if they are not made on the same line.It seems that the difference is in the set-up.

[Jeffrey Schronce]

HF DT Jig = Single worst woodworking experience of my life.

PC DT Jig = A wonderful experience.

[jonathan55]

Pc

HF DT Jig = Single worst woodworking experience of my life.

PC DT Jig = A wonderful experience.

I just bought the 4212 and would have to agree. It still takes some practice.

The 4212 is on sale at Amazon with the PC892 router all for $259.

[drumpriest]

As I'm sure you are all sick of hearing by now, my opinion on the dovetail jigs.

Rockler == pain in the neck (HF is even worse)
PC == nice, but limited
Leigh == duck's guts

[BrazosJake]

Well, actually, after some practice, I've almost got decent half-blind DTs coming out. They're still too tight, though.

Thanks for the link to the Woodstock manual, CTXman!

[pcombs]

How does the HF unit compare to the Rockler Complete Dovetail Jig Combo apart from price?

Would you recommend the PC 4212 better?

[Jeffrey Schronce]

IMHO, the PC 4212 is a much better entry level jig. No question the Leigh is the best, most flexible, thought that title fight remains to be fought in Jan 2007 when PC comes out with their new OmniJig.

The 4212 includes a the great HB DT jig, through DT template ($25 or more value), bushings ($8 or more), straight and DT bit ($15 or more), so you can see that after all the upgrades to the HF jig your price will approach the 4212 on sale. Difference is that with the 4212 you will be banging out Half B DTs in less than an hour, including reading the manual, set up, etc.

[pcombs]

Thanks for the reply. I was thinking of getting the budget HF jig but I am now convinced that it is probably advisable to get the PC 4212 since it is going to be one and done - HF template, Through template bits and bushings.

[BigguyZ]

I originally got the Rockler jig, but returned it and moved up to the 4212 for all the reasons listed above. I haven't used it (I need a router compatible with the bushings), but I have taken it out of the box and the fit and finish are amazing. Not even close to the cheap feeling Rockler (and HF) jig.

[LarryG]

(I need a router compatible with the bushings)

Or, for less money, a compatible base plate for your current router. Several choices available, from both places like Woodcraft and from (my own choice) Pat Warner.