which dovetail jig?

[poolhound]

I have been considering DT jigs. Who owns what and what would folks reccomend.

The big Omnijig (24") looks nice but the 16" looks like you need a bunch of extras to get it to do everything.

The Leighs always get good reviews, which one do you think offers the most flexibility out of the box?

Any other suggestions?

[gary]

I have the Leigh D4 and it's done everything I've ever needed it to. I've never used another jig so I can't compare it to anything else.

[JimD]

It's way the other end of the scale but I use a HF half blind dovetail jig for drawers. I've owned several jigs but the HF works the best of any I have used. It will adjust to use 1/2 baltic birch which is a little under 1/2 thick. I have an extra template for it from Grizzly so I can do 7/8 spacing (the one that came with it is 1 inch spacing). It does nothing but half blind dovetails and will only do about 11 inches wide but that is good for drawers.

Someday I may buy a Leigh or PC or Akeida (sp?) but for half blind drawers I will probably keep using the HF.

Jim

[jussi]

The 16-inch omnijig is on sale for $300 at Amazon. Never used it however.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...X0DER&v=glance

[jtrcy]

I have a project coming up where I will need to do some dovetail drawers.

I had found a like new Rockler jig (old style - blue) used for $45, and when I went to the store to buy the 8mm router bit kit for it, I figured instead of buying the bits for $40, I might as well buy the entire new setup for $140.

It came with the new style dovetail jig, with the thru and the half blind templates, a dust collection accesory and a setup guage + the 8mm router bit set. I sold the old one on CL for $65.

My very first try was not too bad, almost usable, and perfect ones came shortly thereafter.

The dust collection accessory is very handy - it gets all of the chips and sawdust - there is no mess. The setup gauge is handy, but once you figure out the process - it's not really needed too much.

All in all, for $140 for the whole setup (limited time deal i think), I'd say I'm pretty happy with it, and being able to cut them with no mess is very cool.

I'll say this though, it sure does help to dedicate a D-handled router to the setup - much handier than having to fool around with a separate power switch.

Julian

[poolhound]

The 16-inch omnijig is on sale for $300 at Amazon. Never used it however.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...X0DER&v=glance

From what I have read up on this one so far I think this PC 16" is a bit of a dead duck. As far as I can tell the way they package it, it is only able to do half blind DTs out of the box, you have to buy separate templates and accesories to be able to do through DTs and finger joints etc. By the time you have done this you may as well have bought the bigger 24" version or even the top end leigh super jig as it can do everything. I do however like the construction of the PC jig.

[drumpriest]

I have the D4R, and it's the king of the Leigh series, the super jigs are cheaper though. The D4R can handle thicker stock, and the fingers are split, so you can vary the pin size, which you cannot do on the super jigs. The 16" omni is not adjustable, it's fixed space.

The D4R does not come with the vac attachment, though it is available, and I have one, works well. You'll really want that, it's amazing how much dust (chips really) are made and get thrown into you when making dovetails.

[Len]

Dovetail jig? I use one one of these http://www.garrettwade.com/jump.jsp?...&itemID=101725 and a Dozuki saw for dovetails.

What else do you need? Oh, yeah! A sharp chisel!

Len

[twistsol]

I use the Sommerfeld dovetail jig (Katie Jig) It is easy to use and the setup time is minimal and almost foolproof. Supposedly you can tie two or more together to make dovetails of any size, although I've never done this. It only does through dovetails.

http://www.sommerfeldtools.com/prodinfo.asp?number=SOKJ

I also have a porter cable 4112 half blind dovetail jig, I've used it a few times but the setup is finicky and I seem to need to do alot of test cuts before I get it right. I use the Sommerfeld jig unless I absolutely need half blind dovedails.

[dbhost]

On the low end of the scale, I use a MLCS Through Dovetail Template Set for doing boxes and such with evenly spaced dovetails... I also have a Central Machinery half blind dovetail machine. I like the MLCS template / jig setup. It has done exactly what they advertise every time. The PC Omnijig is a very well respected jig... Not sure what to make of it at this time though... Would like to use one before deciding whether or not to buy...

[jussi]

If you know someone in the Bay Area, Ca this would be a killer deal.

http://www.bt3central.com/showthread.php?t=40863

[dkerfoot]

I have the PC 4212. Got it at a great price - not much over $100 if I remember correctly. Does half-blinds, throughs and box joints. Won't let you adjust the spacing and only handles 12", but neither of those things matter to me.