Replies

1. 
   NickC | May 27, 2003 08:51am | #1

   Both jigs are time-consuming to set up, requiring some trial cuts and tweaking of bit depth and jig setting to get optimum results. The Leigh offers variable pin spacing and, therefore, control over the tail width. More of a "hand cut" look if you care about that. The Festo has fixed spacing and tail width. Note that this limits you somewhat on the width of your workpiece--you have to choose a width that results in half-pins that are neither too wide nor too narrow. With the Leigh's variable spacing, this is not a problem, but you still have to do the calculation. The Festo system consists of a template holder, and a variety of templates. You use a different template for half-blind and through dovetails (and the through-dovetail template itself has two parts). You can get a Festo template for drilling dowel holes and making box joints. I've used the half-blind dovetail template, and the dowel template with good results. I also have an older 12" Leigh jig, and that works well too.

1. 
   Christian | May 27, 2003 04:08pm | #2

   Hi Nick,

   thanks for your interesting comment.If you could buy only one jig - which one would you choose? The Festool or the Leigh?

   I like the idea of having a doweling templade and the Festool seems to be easier to setup as you don't have to worry about the spacing and you can't route both pieces at once. On the other hand the Leigh offers lots of possibilities, is slightly cheaper (if I add all the dovetail templades to the Festool) and - as you mentioned - might give a handcut look to the dovetails.

   If you don't mind, do you use your jigs for commercial work or just as a hobbyist?

   BTW, which router do you use for the jigs?

   Thanks for your input.

   Regards,

   Christian

1. 
   LeeTree | May 28, 2003 05:04pm | #3

   Christian,

   I bought the D4 after doing some research and decided it was best to fit all my needs. I am a hobbyist, but a busy one due to a wife with an active home remodeling brain. I found the D4 took 2-3 hours to set up with polishing, etc, but since then, it is very fast and east to setup and use, especially on mass work.

   I like the PC D-handle 1-3/4 HP as it allows for constant addressing of the tool, and is very easy to set up and use. If you go with the Leig, be sure to buy the metric (yes metric) router bit kit as it makes using the tool even easier.

   - lee -

1. 
   Christian | May 28, 2003 05:15pm | #4

   Hi Lee,

   thanks for your comments.

   As I live in Austria I'm only used to the metric system and it's the only one available here.

   Polishing? Did you have to polish the jig before using it?

   Thanks for your input.

   Regards,

   Christian

1. 
   LeeTree | May 28, 2003 06:23pm | #5

   Cristian,

   There is nothing in the manual (I don't think) about polishing, i met someone who used to work for Leigh, and he recommended polishing the fingers to allow for easier sliding of the fingers. I thought it sounded silly, unitl I did it, and what a difference. Good luck.

   - lee -

2. 
   Christian | May 28, 2003 07:56pm | #7

   Hi Lee,

   thanks for your response.

   What do you recommend for polishing - wax for cars?

   Thanks for your input.

   Regards,

   Christian

3. 
   LeeTree | May 28, 2003 09:37pm | #9

   Cristian,

   Please see my post to Doug.

   - lee -

4. 
   Christian | May 28, 2003 09:50pm | #10

   Thanks, Lee. Got it. (the response, not the D4)

   Regards,

   Christian

2. 
   DougF | May 28, 2003 07:12pm | #6

   Lee,

   Can you describe what you mean by "polish."m  Thanks

   Doug

1. 
   LeeTree | May 28, 2003 09:36pm | #8

   Doug,

   Hopefully Cristian will get this as well.

   When you first get the D4, the fingers are cast pot metal (I think). Anyway there are rough edges on the fingers and the bar that can be cleaned up. When I did mine, I got a scotch brite pad (not green but one of the next ones down), and took the dull surface of the fingers and made them shiny( this is done while on the bar. The bar the fingers ride on was next (remove the fingers), even though they were chrome, the pad made a difference. Once this was done, a nice coat of parafin wax on all surfaces was all they needed, and then re-assemble.

   Wait until you slide the fingers after you do this, it is amazing.

   Good luck,

   - lee -

2. 
   NickC | May 30, 2003 07:52am | #11

   I would give the edge to the Festo system for its versatility--dovetails, dowel joints, and box joints. I use the Festo OF-1000 router with the VS 600. It's important to note that each VS 600 template includes a guide that has to be attached and centered to the router base. This is easy with the Festo router, not so easy with other routers.

1. 
   Christian | May 30, 2003 12:46pm | #12

   Thanks for your comments.

   Now I'm really confused but that's great;-)

   I'm almost sure about the router, I think I'll get the small Festool when I have the bucks. A Scheer would be even nicer but who can afford.

   As for the jig I don't know which one is best for me.

   Both seem to be high quality products, I've heard nothing but good reviews on the Leigh and I'm really satisfied with my Festool's.

   Versatility?Leigh: variable spacing, through and half blind dovetails with the standard template, box joints, tenons and Isolock (I wonder who needs and uses that) as accessories.Festool: fixed spacing, need two or even free (as the through template consists of two parts as far as I know) different templates for through and half blind dt's, box joints and doweling templates available, doweling is certainly more interesting than Isolock

   Price:Adding the half blind and the through dt template to the Festool base, it's even more expensive than the Leigh.

   Are there any huge differences concerning accuracy, tightness, handling?Any important disadvantages of either of them?

   Thanks for your comments.

   Regards,

   Christian