Was looking at the Leigh jig .Are there other higher end jigs to consider.One woodworker said it was too much trouble to set up .It seems it may be worth it???
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Replies
I have the Leigh jig. The first few years I had it I used it rarely and therefore spent much time re-reading the set-up procedure. Very slow process!
Now that I use it more frequently, I never refer to the manual, and find the set-up to be quick and easy. I'd say go for it.
Re: the Leigh jig
Steep learning curve, but very good results. Video and manual absolutely the best I have seen. I have had to call customer service about 3 times and the people I spoke with were amazing -- knowledgeable, helpful, and patient.
These people know what they're doing, and it is no surprise their jig is so successful.
A new jig came on the market a couple of years ago -- Akeda. I have seen it, but have not worked with it; as I remember, it has many of the adjustable features that make the Leigh jig appealing.
Got one. Use it. Love it. Recommend it. Try it. You'll love it.
But is costly. Quality costs.
Luck to you.
Do I loose much if i go with the akida???
Never used one.
A bad day woodworking is better than a good day working -- yes, I'm retired!
I have and use an Akeda all the time. Love it, through dovetails don't even need testing, half blinds require a little. I've used both a Leigh and the Incra. The Akeda is quickest, both the Leigh and Incra are great but do take some practice.
I've even cut dovetails by hand.
Bobby
You should also check out the Incra systems. Pretty quick to set up and very precise. The hardest part (for me anyway) is getting the router height set. Not sure whether the Incra or the Leigh would win in a race - with the Leigh you need to reclamp for each piece while with the Incra you move the fence for each cut (though you cut all pieces at that setting before moving to the next setting). You do need a router table though.
I've had one for ages. I use it whenever I am making drawers. Much of the set up is the same as any other jig--assemble your router & set the bit depth (fast). Mark and clamp in your wood (fast). With the Leigh, you get the option to set the pin spacing, and this does not take much time, especially since I figured out to use hex wrenches so set the spacings perfectly. Now this step, too, is fast.
Determining bit depth for the HB and fence setting for the TD is fairly quick, and for the TD you can do it on your work instead of scrap, if you creep up to the right depth of cut.
I'd say buy it. The two nits I have with the old jig (18 years old) were the slow clamps and the lame work holders, but both of these have been improved since then (and, kudos to Leigh, they were available for retrofitting my old jig).
SLAB--
I AM YOUR TYPICAL WEEKEND WARRIOR WOODWORKER.
About two years ago my boys bought me the Leigh jig for Father's day. I was thrilled that they bought it for me...but thought that they spent way too much cash for it. I almost returned because I felt so bad with the big price they paid for it. But I did keep it. And it is truely the best dovetail jig I have worked with. The first set of thru dovetails that I made came out perfect. This jig is easy to use. Set up is pretty quick and getting used to the jig just takes a little time. The more I used it, the easier it was to get great dovetails everytime.
I highly recommend getting one.
Good luck
marko
Thank you,
The Great Marko
My experience has been much different than others. I hate the jig. Installing it and getting it to cut the 1st test joint took 2-3 evenings. Getting a final dovetail joint took another 6 hours. Total set up time was around 16 hours. Pins and Tails require two set ups and two routers. A D Handle PC router works best.I graduated from high school, and have a college degree. I don't claim to be really smart, but the jig outsmarted me.Compare the Leigh to anyother jig, be in OmniJig or the Keller. Set up time from box to finished joint is about 90 minutes. Those jigs cut pins and tails in one swoop--one set up, one router.Another option is to buy Franz Klaus' video on cutting dovetails, which I did about 2 years ago. I watched it twice, made notes and hand cut a dove tail about 3 hours after I opened the box and snapped in the video--with no special tools, a pencil, a square, a chisel, and a stupid Craftsman back saw. Again, I am not sharpest pencil in the box, but found the Porter Cable and Keller jigs much easier, more accurate, and about 5 times as fast. And if you really have the time, watch Klaus' video--I will guaranty you that you can cut handcut dovetails which fit beautifully in about 4 hours.I would explore some other options other than the Leigh jig.
Regards,
Boris"Sir, I may be drunk, but you're crazy, and I'll be sober tomorrow" -- WC Fields, "Its a Gift" 1934
I have the Incra with most of the goodies... With the templates, you can do dovetails and finger joints and rip all sorts of same/different width of strips. I find it slow sometimes moving the fence but I like it ALOT!.. You can use it for a TS fence all the time but you really need the Incra TS guides to do that. I think your standard TS fence is better for all the common stuff you do. I have my TS set up so I can just bolt the Incra to either side of the blade depending on what I want to do.
Biggest problem I have with the Incra is where to keep it when I'm not using it. I just used a hunk of plywood screwed to the wall with some dowels sticking out. The Incra base is bolted to the plywood. Kind of expensive to have drop to the cement floor....
I don't have them, but I think CMT has dovetail bit sets made for the Incra. I just use what I have and guess I have just been lucky.
It IS a pain finding center and setting the bit depth but when I use a set-up I cut a guage from scrap and save it.. Next time, all I have to do is remember where I put my guage block!
I forgot to say.. I use it on my router table and table saw.
Edited 1/18/2005 12:29 pm ET by Will George
Edited 1/18/2005 12:31 pm ET by Will George
Check out this site http://www.thewoodshop.20m.com/reviews.htm
He does a good job of reviewing the Leigh, AKEDA and others jigs. It's worth taking a look at.
Good Luck!
I have a leigh and a keller dovetail jig. My leigh has a 1 inch thick instruction manual while my keller has a 1/8 inch thick instruction manual. Love my keller hate my leigh.
Which Leigh jig? D4? Wanna sell if it is?Michael
I have a d-4 i would like to sell.
It has almost no use.
Im in southern california (agoura hills).
I need to look at the new price to determine what i think it is worth.. any offers welcome.
jeremiah
Edited 2/1/2005 12:09 am ET by TURNSTYLER
Let me know what you want for it. You can PM me if you want.Michael
Did you sell your D4? If not, send me a message with what you want for it. I can use another one for additional setups. thnx
scottd.
scottdDamschroder Scott Furniture[email protected]A craftsman needs three things: Accuracy, Technique, and Quality. Accuracy can be set; technique can be learned; but quality must be bought and built.
still available d-4 $320 plus shipping
I have never made any dovetails until I got my Keller Journeyman Dovetail jig a week ago. WHOA it is so easy to use I can make perfect dovetails under 5 minutes. I know it can't make any halfblind dovetails but I put a false drawer front on my drawers works great.
Hope it helps
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