Synopsis: A clean, snug-fitting row of dovetails is a hallmark of fine craftsmanship. That’s one reason why there are more than 20 different dovetail jigs on the market, each promising to help its buyer turn out rows of dovetails in record time. Tim Albers tested 13 of the most versatile jigs and was impressed with a number of them. He found that they all can produce accurate dovetail joints, but the best offer a good balance between the diversity of joints they can create and the complexity of their setup and adjustment.

Jigs tested include: Leigh D4R and D1600; Porter-Cable 4212; Akeda DC16; Festool VS-600; Hart Design GFK2800; Porter-Cable Omnijig; Rockler Dovetail Jig Combo; Woodhaven 7517K; and three clamp-on jigs: the Gifkins, Katie, and Keller Pro Series.

To many woodworkers, a clean and snugfitting row of dovetails is the hallmark of craftsmanship (hence the logo of this magazine). This is probably why you’ll find more than 20 dovetail jigs on the market, each promising to turn a time-consuming process into a few foolproof passes with a router.

Like politicians, these jigs are either loved or hated and everyone seems to have an opinion about them. To see for myself, I gathered 15 of the most versatile jigs for a thorough test.

The only jigs I didn’t test are the most basic models, which cut only half-blind dovetails, on stock 12 in. wide or less, with fixed spacing. These are covered by Fred Sotcher in a Web-only article, available free on FineWoodworking.com.

How they stack up

First, every one of these jigs can produce a snug and accurate dovetail joint. The factors that separate them are the diversity of joints they can create, the width of workpieces they can handle, and the setup and adjustment time they require. The best jigs offer a good balance between versatility and learning curve.

I was impressed with a number of these jigs. Though a router bit can’t create the very slender spaces between tails associated with hand-cut joints, a good dovetail jig will turn out a stack of boxes in an hour, and many offer variable spacing for more attractive results.

For the best-overall award, the Leigh D4R comes out on top. It can do it all and do it quickly. The Akeda is another great jig, but not quite as versatile. Even with the D4R, I’d be tempted to add a Keller and/or Gifkins jig: the Keller for larger work and the Gifkins for small boxes. These offer unmatched simplicity and efficiency.

For best value, I recommend the Porter-Cable 4212. While only 12 in. wide, it offers a remarkable combination of price, options, and ease of use.

From Fine Woodworking #187

For the full article, download the PDF below:

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