Replies

1. 
   beetlebailey | Jul 07, 2006 09:21am | #1

   Save your money a little longer and go and buy the Porter Cable Combination dovetial machine. That way when you want to do dadoed dovetail joints you won't be kicking yourself for wasting money on an incomplete unit--and the through dovetail guides are a part of the machine. I own a small Porter Cable 4112 and I'm glad it was given to me(you'll never guess why it was given to me?)--but it lacks so very many features that the other machine gives. Also, the Porter Cable uses standard dovetail bits and not some specialty bit you have to buy from the manufacturer.

   I like Rockler for many things--but their dovetail machine was clumsy and took hours to set up completely. I went to one of their store demos and they could not get it right by following their own directions and using their own set-up tool--so a word to the wise there.

   So you can go out and buy the cheapie now--as long as you want to spend your money again later, to buy the machine that really works. Leigh's are nice--but one very giant headache setting up--and setting up means burning up precious stock--because you want to use the stock you are going to cut to set up the machine-- if you want to dial it in for perfect fit before you start cutting on your project.

2. 
   DougF | Jul 07, 2006 05:20pm | #2

   I used the Craftsman dovetail jig for 5 years and made many, many drawers.  Three problems: the stock unit height must be in fractional increments, I think in eights; the templates are not rigid and you have to use support spacers to provide sufficient support and "flatness" across the full extent of the template; and, constantly tightening and untightening those round knobs when you are making 20 - 30 drawers is an absolute killer.  I had special level-style knobs made that solved that problem.  I still have the unit although it collects dust since I purchased the Leigh jig.

   I take exception to most of the comments that are made about the Leigh and similarly "complex" jigs: just like hand-cut dovetails, the learning curve is a function of repetition.  When I am making drawers every month, the Leigh jig takes no time at all to set up.  When I have gone 3 or 4 months between usage, I have to drag out the manual to refresh my memory and waste some wood on test cuts.  But, the same was also true of the Craftsman jig.  Maybe its just my learning curve, but I doubt it.

   As with most tools, how do you plan to use the sucker?  Assuming you are not considering hand-cutting the DT's, building  furniture with dovetail case work requires  a jig that spans 24".  If you are looking for production level such as that required for a kitchen, the PC and other similar fixed template systems are ideal.  Is the ability to set the DT spacing intervals essential to you building?  If so, then none of the fixed template units will work for you.  

    

    

1. 
   dgreen | Jul 07, 2006 07:38pm | #3

   You can set the spacing with the PC Omnijig.
   Since the house is on fire let us warm ourselves. ~Italian Proverb

1. 
   DougF | Jul 07, 2006 07:49pm | #4

   Thanks.  I mistakeningly thought it was fixed. 

1. 
   dgreen | Jul 07, 2006 08:23pm | #5

   You can get fixed or adjustable templates for it. Also a template for sliding dovetails and templates for box joints too.
   Since the house is on fire let us warm ourselves. ~Italian Proverb