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I am looking at buying a dovetail jig. I really like the idea of the Leigh D4 and the Porter-Cable Omnijig but the price tag is a bit much to swallow. I would really like to justify a purchase of one of these, and I have been watching ebay to see if I can get a used one at a good price, but they pretty much go for $300 plus. I was wondering if they are really worth the money of is there a good, cheaper alternative that would be good, or would it be better to just bite the bullet now.
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I love lamp. -
What are your needs... ?
Through.. blind... width of stock maximum you work with.. spacing distance same or varied.. how often do you cut DT's (production runs or once in a blue moon.. etc.?
What are your requirements... ?
One jig does all.. set-up times.. multiple adjustments or simple set-up.. ease of adjustments..etc.? -
Exactly what Sarge asked.
I know my father and I have both been wanting them, and occassionally I see them on CL, but I always miss them.
My father decided, he LOVES pocket screws and he went that method. I have been looking at the Stots dovetail jig for a while, being that I am a Linux user, I am not sure about having a license agreement attached. (having not read it, I have been told it basically says your not going to buy and make/sell them to everyone)
Several people have started off with the HF one.She couldn't tell the difference between the escape pod, and the bathroom. We had to go back for her.........................Twice.Comment
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+2 on Sarge's "What are your needs?" question.
I have a Porter-Cable 4212 and a Leigh D4R. I started with the P-C (as you'd expect) and actually bought the Leigh sooner than anticipated, in order to beat a big price increase.
The P-C is a very nice jig, very easy to use, will do either half-blinds or throughs. Its limitations are that it will only handle a board up to 12" wide, and the dovetail spacing is fixed. The Leigh OTOH goes up to a 24" board and the DT spacing can be whatever you like.
So if you're only going to build normal-sized drawers and don't object to what David Marks once called "that corn-on-the-cob look" of fixed-spaced DTs, the P-C or similar will serve you well. But if you're going to build blanket chests and the like, you'll need more capacity and will also want the more refined look of variable spacing -- and that means either the Leigh or the second-generation OmniJig (or possibly one of the lesser-known solutions like the Stots that LR mentions. Of course, another option would be cut your variable-spaced through dovetails by hand).LarryComment
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Well that is the thing, I really don't have one thing in mind. I like the ability to change the spacing and size. I figure will use for drawers, chest, really would like to use where ever I can. Right now I am using a locking miter bit which works well, I also plan on using pocket holes at times. Like to do through dovetails. I have done a few on the router table with success. Really I want to keep options open. The big thing is time. Would love to have the time to hand cut all the dovetails, but would like to complete projects in under a month, which is why I have been using the locking miter bit, but lets face it a dovetail looks alot prettier.I love lamp.Comment
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I've been cutting them by hand (thru dovetails only) and find it faster than setting and testing a jig made set.
Although, if you have a bunch of carcases to make, well then it does become "Jig Time", unless you want to turn the project into something that your heirs will have to finish .
Bruce"Western civilization didn't make all men equal,
Samuel Colt did"
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If price is the limiting factor, you may be able to use a lower cost jig such as the Rockler setup, depending on what you want to do with it. I think it runs under $200. Otherwise, I would watch CL to find a lightly used jig.If you can read this you assembled wrong.
AlanComment
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One site you might look at just to be able to read up on several:
http://www.woodshopdemos.com/dtshoot-1.htmShe couldn't tell the difference between the escape pod, and the bathroom. We had to go back for her.........................Twice.Comment
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In your case here's the jig I suggest and the one I have been using for 38 years. I ran down and took a picture of it just a few minutes ago. It's been used for around 5000 years and works well on through.. blind.. secret miter.. etc. You can use it to space any way you want to as in random. You can use large pin heads or very tiny pin heads and the width and lenght is not a factor at all.
Cost around $60 but is very versatile. I cut the two drawers for a fish tank table about two days ago and in finish now. Took about an hour but the good news is their is no production schedule as in a cabinet shop where a newer style jig is almost a must if you found a shop doing high end drawers with DT's which is not likely.
Cheap but delivers a true "signature" which can't be duplicated IMO...
Clck on picture to enlarge...
Good luck...Attached FilesLast edited by Guest; 08-26-2009, 11:32 AM.Comment
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You should probably look into the Leigh super jigs. The D4R is the flagship, for sure, but you can get an 18" super jig for under 300$ and it does variable spacing. The difference between the supers and the D4R is that the D4R lets you vary the pin size, and you can do thicker stock, but the super jig is pretty darn versatile for the price.Keith Z. Leonard
Go Steelers!Comment
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Jon
Phoenix AZ - It's a dry heat
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We all make mistakes and I should know I've made enough of them
techzibits.comComment
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I bought a D4 some years ago at a trade show and I've never regretted it. OK, it was a substantial initial outlay, but I've "grown into it" after the fairly intensive and manual-reliant first few joints.
As has been said before, the manual is the best there is and the jig is infinitely flexible. The range of Isoloc templates and the finger-jointing set add to the range. It doesn't get used every day, certainly not every week, but when I need it I'm so pleased I've got it.
RayDid I offend you? Click here.Comment
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I make dovetails once in a blue moon and I have found the Stot jig invaluable.Cheap and easy(kinda like some of the girls I dated while in college!).Comment
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