Replies

1. 
   Eideann | Jan 11, 2021 09:39am | #1

   Crafted/busy bee make some that are a bit cheaper up here in Canada. Never used them so I can't say how well they work.

   I used to have the Porter Cable one. It works well for it's intended purpose. I used it when I had to make a bunch of drawers at once. I sold it a few years back because it mostly just collected dust.

   Can't say I miss it. But for what it does, it does well. You can cut through dovetails via other means just as quick and much nicer but if you need to bang out a bunch of half blinds it's the fastest way to go about it. They'll never look like hand cut and are kind of stale but in terms of speed if you've got lots of them they're great.

2. 
   bilyo | Jan 11, 2021 10:33am | #2

   I agree with Eideann. I had a guide system with plastic templates and those just were not satisfactory. I then purchased the PC model with aluminum templates. The whole system is quite well made. As stated, only evenly spaced dovetails are possible. While functional, they are somewhat bland looking.

   If your budget is not so you can buy good quality, just spend your money on a good dovetail saw and learn to do it by hand. Those who have gotten good at it claim to be able to do it nearly as fast and the results can be more interesting. Someday, maybe I'll follow my own advice. ;>)

3. 
   stantheman | Jan 11, 2021 11:20am | #3

   Are you going to use it often? Make a variety of joints? More money than time? IMO, there are cheaper (and more expensive) options, but all have limitations, and you have to know what your needs are. You can get by with one of the router jigs you mount to a board and clamp in a vise, for a lot of things. But if you're going to use it often and for multiple joints, a PC or similar setup, is more efficient. There are clone versions of the PC available from other vendors, but I didn't see much savings with them.

4. 
   elmaduro | Jan 11, 2021 12:15pm | #4

   Check out the Leigh TD330.

5. 
   mikeinohio | Jan 11, 2021 12:24pm | #5

   If you only need to do half-blind dovetails then 4210 is a good alternative.

   The 4210 is the same jig but doesn't come with the through-dovetail template and is about $45 cheaper.

   I needed to batch out a bunch of drawers with half blind dovetails so I got the 4210. It worked great.

6. 
   mikefm101 | Jan 11, 2021 04:39pm | #6

   I have a Leigh D4. Almost too flexible.

   Never used them but I’d take a close look at the table saw blades ground for dovetails. Might be less expensive than the dedicated jigs.

   Several articles on using them on this site, and I think Mike Pekovich recent article on the mail sorter uses them.

   Mike (not Pekovich)

1. 
   sclause | Jan 12, 2021 12:50pm | #7

   I was thinking of getting one of the 7 degree flat blades Mike was using but can't find one anywhere. I have tried using various search terms but no luck.

1. 
   john_c2 | Jan 12, 2021 01:25pm | #8

   Forrest and Ridge Carbide both list dovetail table saw blades. You can specify what angle you want. I'm sure any good resharpening service can do them as well.

7. 
   mikeinohio | Jan 23, 2021 08:45am | #9

   Hey Concealed,
   I don't know if you've pulled the trigger on this yet but Woodcraft has the Porter-Cable 4212 on sale for $149.

   Mike

1. 
   concealed | Jan 23, 2021 12:18pm | #10

   Thanks for the heads up.

8. 
   user-6593105 | Jan 23, 2021 01:59pm | #11

   Hello Concealed
   Save some money and try cutting dovetails by hand!
   What a great feeling you will get for your efforts and your
   Bragging rights will be all yours!
   :-)

9. 
   rob_ss | Jan 23, 2021 08:59pm | #12

   FWIIW, have a look at http://www.stumpynubs.com/dovetail-jig.html - a VERY early video so not up to the modern standards, but it does show a home-made jig which would cost little.
   You can also buy cheapo versions of the more expensive options - https://www.topmaq.co.nz/metal-wood-working/wood-working/dovetail-jig/dovetail-jig-300mm would be about USD100 though I have never used one.
   I have long considered one, but have sworn not to buy one until I don't need it to cut perfect dovetails, at least sometimes...

10. 
    DRBWWing | Jan 24, 2021 06:08pm | #13

    I've done the table saw methods/custom ground blade and it is a very good way to do tails. I do the pins by hand.

    I'm looking myself as I have a bunch of drawers to do for a kitchen remodel. I think the clamp on jigs would work better than table top, I can't see 21" of door side sticking up in the air running across a router table.

    Some use a guide and some bearing. I prefer the collet guided as then I can choose my own bits.

11. 
    Beasley7 | Jan 24, 2021 07:57pm | #14

    Here is my very humble 2 cents worth. Joinery is frequently the yardstick of woodworking skill. If you are ready to step up to dove tails, you are ready to leave the kiddie pool and dive into the deep end. I love the PC jig. It helped me understand the physics and construction of the joint. I think when I stepped onto the high dive by starting to cut dove tails by hand, the knowledge gained using the jig was very helpful. (I also like the manufactured look it produces for certain applications.) If you are going to buy a jig, buy the PC. It's the easiest to get good results and build skill/confidence to step up.

    It is pricey. There are a few options to mitigate cost. #1 You can look for a used one. #2 If you have friends that are woodworkers, you can share. It's not something you will use everyday. #3 You can also try and sell it after a year or two which effectively brings down the cost of ownership.

    If your mindset is that is is an educational tool, versus a permanent tool, it changes the decision point. Like I said, that's just my very humble opinion.