Dovetail Marking Jig. The Leigh Super Jig was extremely close to being our top-rated pick as a result, (losing out only on price, and the fact the Porter-Cable includes so many great templates if you choose the recommended package). In addition, the machined aluminum templates provided with the Porter-Cable are built to exacting standards; long-term durability and superior cutting accuracy are the end result. 0000035030 00000 n No portion of this, manual or any artwork contained herein may be reproduced in any shape or form. Get 10% Off Your Entire Purchase When You Open a New Account, Get our best deals and latest news delivered straight to you. In this comprehensive dovetail jig review roundup, we take a closer look at some of the top dovetail jigs in the market today, along with the pros and cons that come with using these dovetail jigs. The Porter Cable 4216 dovetail jig kit gets our number pick because of its wide range of applications. 0000014689 00000 n Who would have guessed a HF dovetail jig worth having. Heavy formed steel manufacturing ensures accuracy and durability. thanks. The ones that were marked on the template the set came with using the cheap horrible bit provided, and the correct ones I made off of the original baseplate that were dead on center. Larger jigs are also easier to use with projects that demand space. You can get Your money back. The fingers may flex and therefor make it less useful. For our findings at a glance just head to the table below. However, there are cheap tools out there that I get curious if anyone tried with good or great success and reviews on those items are harder to come by. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. trailer <]>> startxref 0 %%EOF 122 0 obj<>stream 0000000856 00000 n Dan, Yes I bought one years ago and I do not know if it is the same one that you are going to buy. Theyre independent, uncut and unsponsored. Doc. Other jobs such as end-to-end jointing can also be achieved with the dovetail. Here are the top 5 best dovetail jig for the money. Im sure the instructions are crappy, but that doesnt mean the problem is with the hardware. Don't get scammed by websites pretending to be Harbor Freight. 0000001847 00000 n For any difficulty using this site with a screen reader or because of a disability, please contact us at 1-800-444-3353 or cs@harborfreight.com. Aaronk:On issue 1: When you look at the round black metal pieces where the handles attach, you will see 4 gray round pieces (both top and bottom handles). These are made of plastic and I can see where people could have a problem after lots of use with the clamps too tight. This becomes especially noticeable when trying to fit together a smooth joint between two sides of a piece. Thanks for the suggestion on the link to the instructions. This jig is exactly the same as the one offered by Grizzly and Rockler (for a few more pennies). Perfect half blind dovetails that actually set on the halfway mark of the face board. With this too,l you get the ingenious design element of adaptable 1-piece fingers. The dovetail joint is a time-honoured favorite due to its strength and aesthetic elegance. In this buyers guide, we will take a look at what it is you should look out for when buying a dovetail jig. The jig allows you to cut each side of the half-blind dovetail joint at once, making operation nice and efficient. I watched demo videos, and read just about every page of the instructions and I still had to play with it for hours before I got my dovetails to fit right. Maybe with these instructions, I can give it a try again with better success this time. I buy a number of their products but not very many. After that they all do pretty much the same thing. Just choose one of the 5 half-blind bits that are available and then rout half-blind joints in a depth that suits your project. It is capable of cutting 1/2 1 drawer sides as well 5/8 1 drawer fronts with a width of up to 12. However, in order to achieve those perfect joints, the adjustment features of your chosen dovetail jig have to be accurate. I tried that, didn't go so well. Its was on sale at the store last week maybe its still on sale this week. Please fill out your profile, It helps us to know you better, The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo, http://www.routerforums.com/axlmyks-stuff/, VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter Street, Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. We offer large, easily-adjustable knobs instead of the wing nuts found on other jigs. Ask any professional woodworker and theyll tell you that making a dovetail joint by hand is a very hard and time-consuming task. They have a few other decent things but that's one that has always stood out to me. It is more expensive when compared to other models on the market, however the sheer versatility and all those included templates more than make up for it. One template allows for the cutting of half-blind, sliding and rabbeted half-blind dovetails. Dovetail jigs are not designed as no brainers where you just slap the boards in, make your cuts, and everything is perfect. The dovetail jig can also be used to cut tails, pins, half-blind and standard dovetails. might have to give this one a shot. For an in-depth review of each of our picks, plus a dedicated buyers guide, keep on reading. HTMo I felt that I could respond from what others have said, And I hope it gives You a bit of information to put with the others You should get. 0000003484 00000 n In order to ensure your jig is aligned correctly, some incorporate side stops into the design. Those pieces will then correspond perfectly for an ultra-fine finish. I've had a guy who was a union finish carpenter then did super high end remodeling get one and use it over the Hitachi AND dewalt he had. ; kJ(LrnwJi!CL:1WSlF`64 \d5qhSsLu#(={q-aw_oEPbxxjc#k.cv=*D Q_cqr{ Manage Consent. if I recall correctly, a couple big problems that people did have with hardware involved:1) wood slipping in the clamps because the cams arent strong enough and the plastic will break if you force it.2) the plastic template that you route around deflects because it is thin and weak. With the Keller dovetail jig, you can be sure of smooth and precise cuts for your furniture and construction projects for a long time to come, no matter what style or length of joint you need. The superior joint making ability of the Leigh super jig is helped considerably via the addition of the newLeigh E-bush. Larger jigs are generally easier to use as there is more room available for all the mechanisms they are less fiddly than smaller models where everything can feel a little crowded. Some of the consumables like sand paper have much better alternatives that are worth the added cost up front. In short, there is very little reason to cut dovetails 100% by hand in modern-day woodworking. The dovetail jig can also be used to cut tails, pins. The machine is also covered by the Porter-Cables 1-year free service contract. The dovetail is a time-consuming joint to cut by hand, and thats where the jig steps in. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Thanks for the review as I too have been wanting to do some dovetails but could not affort one of the expensive sets at this time. It actually needs a 7/16 bushing.After reading through the correct set of instructions, I set up the jig like they said and the half blind dovetails fit..loosely. I buy quite a few products from HF but dont see any coupons or ads for the dovetail jig. wide, 1-1/4 in. Well done review, I have been thinking about getting one of them. It's just that simple! So with those personal questions in mind, lets take a wider look at some of the attributes you should look out for when buying a dovetail jig. However, it is not a particularly easy joint to cut by hand. After reading about the issues with these types of jigs, I found that a major factor is the centering of the new bushing baseplate. I would like to thank everyone for your comment on the HF dovetail jig.After much thought I bought the Porter Cable 4212 dovetail jig for $127.00 including shipping from the online Porter Cable Outlet store. This translates to both the male and female dovetail cuts being made together. Finally, you should make sure that the jig you decide to purchase has everything you need to get started. 0000026739 00000 n You can rout half-blind pins as well using the incorporated 2 -function spacer so as to offset the tailboard. And I didn't feel like ruining $200 worth of wood. B&pJ)Cz3. When the handle goes toward the template, you do not have the proper clearance to cut the dovetails. An end result is a tool that provides the all-important firm grip on the work material, (see the buyers guide as to why this is important). This covers any defects that might arise due to faulty materials or even workmanship (right from the purchase date). It has no permanent templates; you make your preferred spacing template (with either fixed or adjustable spaced slots), The absence offixed templates allows you to cut longer dovetail pieces, It has a solid construction suitable to the demands of the workshop, The model can only support 1 dovetail bit, Durable material will not break from router accidents, Opaque materials with no viewing port to see what youre doing. &~kX&vD{vr The jig provides guides for self-spacing edges which offers you proper offset for a clear-cut joint alignment. The unit comes complete with cam action as well as aluminum clamp bars. This unique dovetail Jig from Woodstock features a cam-action clamp that quickly locks 2 boards in place at the same time. Based on the problems or issues you said you had when first using the jig it sounds like the same problems I had when I first used my Leigh dovetail jig. The quality build, firm grip and added templates (not forgetting the 3-year limited warranty and 1-year free service) makes this the dovetail jig to buy. there is the nice instructions that you linked, as well as a pretty comprehensive one put out by POrter Cable. 120 0 obj <> endobj xref 120 28 0000000016 00000 n For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353. I was up against a brick wall however. Bent slightly on dovetails=off horribly. TOP PICK: PORTER-CABLE 4216 Super Jig Dovetail jig (4215 With Mini Template Kit), PORTER-CABLE 4216 Super Jig Dovetail jig (4215 With Mini Template Kit), Top 5 Best Gut Hook Knives You Can Buy (2022 Review Update), Best Katana Sword for the Money High Quality Swords of 2021, What is the Best Ninjato you can Buy Online [2021 Edition], The Best Home CNC Machine Router Kit in 2021 (Top 5 Review), Best Samurai Swords of 2022 [Our Reviews and Comparisons], 12 Dovetail JigCapacity: 1/4to 1-1/8 Stock(Includes 3Templates), 12 Dovetail Jig(Includes 3 routerbits.) On the surface, there isnt much to the tool. Pros of the Woodstock D2796 12-Inch Dovetail Jig with Aluminum Template, 4. The issue here is the quality of the jig components such as the clamping bar and adjustment mechanisms. They are generally used in areas where two components are to be joined at right angles, (thus making them one of the most widely used joints in the trade). Cheaper units have been known to cut corners by omitting certain pieces of equipment on the assumption the average woodworker will have them already. To narrow down the search we have pitted together 5 top-rated dovetail jigs. **Know someone whos looking to add a useful tool to his arsenal? Ive always though people were just super talented and cut those out by hand lol. Grizzly also has the exact same DT jig under a different name of course and also carries several templates for the jig, at a very reasonable price too. Well enough that I have not bought another. I shimmed the bushing with a few wraps of masking tape and EUREKA.Big beautiful half blind dovetails! gd0ef0 %( m endstream endobj 121 0 obj<> endobj 123 0 obj<> endobj 124 0 obj<>/Font<>/XObject<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB]/ExtGState<>>> endobj 125 0 obj<> endobj 126 0 obj<> endobj 127 0 obj[/ICCBased 146 0 R] endobj 128 0 obj<> endobj 129 0 obj<> endobj 130 0 obj<> endobj 131 0 obj<>stream *Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc., or its affiliates. http://edge.woodstockint.com/manuals/d2796_m.pdfThese are much better instructions for the jig. Just a few comments to add to your very detailed review. This is a very convenient tool that has the ability to mark dovetails of up to 1 long and it features 2 ratios: 1:5 for softwood as well as 1:8 for hardwood. I have not had any of these issues yet but I have only had the jig 3 days as of 7/27. thick. And a note from the lawyers: Products should always be used in accordance with the owners manual. I was proven wrong so I figured you guys should know about it. They tend to strip after like 3 light uses for me. This Dovetail Jig is undoubtedly among the finest dovetail jigs that available in the market today. Due to its steel construction, the jig is on the heavy side. !If you are willing to spend the money for a porter cable, I am sure it would work better, quicker, and easier. 0000001573 00000 n 3491 Mission Oaks Blvd., Camarillo, CA 93011, Visit our Web site at: http://www.harborfreight.com, . You know where we are going with this; tails and pins can be cut with only one pass of the router. Please submit links to how-to pages and videos, pictures of beautiful and amazing pieces you made for us to admire, or help you finish. Another great benefit of this dovetail jig from Porter-Cableis the fact it is backed by a 3-year limited warranty. A forum community dedicated to router and woodworking professionals and enthusiasts. I might just throw some fun tickets HF way and get one. Everything mounts to your benchtop quickly and efficiently, which is good considering the tool features a heavy, strong steel design; sturdiness is the name of the game here. 0000013813 00000 n The link to the instructions you provided is excellent and I have a printout of the same set of instructions. thanks for the serious review. DISCLAIMER: Any posts on LJ are posted by individuals acting in their own right and do not necessarily reflect the views of LJ. Good Luck zarpman, Melbourne, Fl. I still oil it and such when I'm supposed to but I'm not as delicate as with the others. What to look for when buying the best dovetail jig. Otherwise Ive never had an issue with anything I get there, It's because with most of their products it's a 50/50 shot to have it work or be DoA. 1/2" Sliding Dovetail Template, DC1069 Shit even if you break one a year it would take 10 years to finally cost as much as one of those previously mentioned brands anyway lol. Manual will be automatically added to "My Manuals", Assembly and operating instructions manual, Specific Product Warnings and Precautions, Page 3: Specific Product Warnings And Precautions, Page 12: Inspection, Maintenance, And Cleaning. Create quality dovetail joints quickly with this dovetail jig. Another great benefit of this dovetail jig from, Pros of the PORTER-CABLE 4216 Super Jig Dovetail jig, The superior joint making ability of the Leigh super jig is helped considerably via the addition of the new. The product Includes 1/2 to eight-degree dovetail bit, 5/16 straight bit, 1/2-14 degree dovetail bit, 1/2 8milimeter collet reducer, E-bush, sliding dovetail fence, half-blind bridge piece material, an illustrated user manual as well as an instructional DVD. It does look like a lot of other manufactures line, and I guess that some pieces may fit from other jigs. | Do Not Sell My Data Took it back and bought 2 Porter Cable 4212s. this jig, and other cheap ones of similar design, are often given terrible reviews. Create strong, fine looking dovetail joints with this easy-to-use dovetail jig and your router. 0000040679 00000 n I have one. They may also contain some four-letter words that arent tool and other content thats not appropriate for children. This can be bolted or clamped to your workbench for that all-important stability when making the cuts. For our findings at a glance just head to the table below. 0000015066 00000 n There is math and setup involved when using the jig. This caused the handle to tighten on the boards by pulling it towards the router template instead of away from it. It doesnt get more accurate than that. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. 0000004179 00000 n This is another tool that offers great versatility as well as precision joint making. If these are poorly constructed and/or configured your tool will become a headache rather than a help. The side stops will ensure that the finished joint will fit together perfectly. Some jigs will also come with templates and guides to help you get started. For an in-depth review of each of our picks, plus a dedicated buyers guide, keep on reading. We use cookies on our websites for a number of purposes, including analytics and performance, functionality and advertising. Clear-cut adjustments for a perfect fit can be easily made using the E-bush. also makes half-inch half-blind joints and can easily handle stock that ranges from 1/2 to 1-1/4-inch in thickness and up to 12-inches in width. It features a metal alloy as well as an aluminium construction, It provides for half-blind dovetail creation, The product can cut both half -blind and tail board at once. Brass Guide Bushing Set, D3156 0000002570 00000 n Terms of Service One point to remember is that if You order it ,and for what ever reason You don't like it. I have not used the HF jig . The fuckin thing still works 4 years later. Clear Markings show the modification directions that are necessary for the anticipated change. Our Dovetail Jig with unique cam-action clamping system quickly locks two boards in position to cut both tails and pins with one pass of the router. without the express written consent of Harbor Freight Tools. Most of the time I have went on to pay for the better quality tool as well as the cheaper tool that did not work. And we can sell them for a fraction of the price because we cut out the middleman and pass the savings on to you. If the jig does not hold the material solidly in place you are going to have problems. This basically covers all your dovetail joinery needs. The hardened phenolic plate means the fingers are able to withstand contact with an active router, making this a more forgiving tool than most. I think with these jigs it all boils down to just getting the hang of it. -- Hey, woodworking ain't brain surgery. The Keller dovetail jig offers the woodworker the precise measurements and stability needed to form a smooth dovetail joint, with intervals between to make sure you can cut pins and tails with no need to waste wood on testing your router. Half-blind joints can easily be achieved on the Super Jig. Latest Forum Topics, Harbor Freight Dovetail Machine Item # 34102, http://edge.woodstockint.com/manuals/d2796_m.pdf, https://www.artisticwoodstudio.com/videos, Stumpy Nubs Woodworking Journal- For woodworkers of all levels (part 6). is a time-honoured favorite due to its strength and aesthetic elegance. dovetail bit and 1/2 in. LOL, Haha, Yeah, unfortunately the included instruction manual is Trash, but the company that actually produces it has an amazing one online. This jig is made to accept all the standard router bits and can be used on any length of wood, making it a handy companion for projects small and large alike. I did forget to mention I am using a 1/2 14 degree dovetail bit. 0000026196 00000 n The 5 Best Palm Sander 2022 Reviews and Comparisons, Top 5 Stud & Joist Drills Reviewed (A 2022 Update), PORTER-CABLE 4216Dovetail jig(With MiniTemplate Kit), Woodstock D279612 Dovetail Jigwith AluminumTemplate, MLCS 6406Pins and TailsHalf Blind Dovetail Jig, 1. The dovetail jig is very well made, versatile, as well as very easy to use. The tool allows you to easily cut a variety of joints using the included templates, it really is a versatile little beast.Heres an example of what you can achieve using the included items; Should you want more than this you can also select to purchase the Porter-Cable dovetail jig with 9 included templates. Once I spent the time and a ton of practice later I finally got it figured out. The 3rd included template isspecifically designed for miniature through, miniature half-blind dovetail as well as the miniature box joints. The jig comes with heavy-duty cam clamps that incorporate sandpaper-backed locking bars. Everything should be there, ready for you to get cracking on those joints. that doesnt seem that bad to me. 0000003548 00000 n **Looking for a great biscuit cutter for your woodworking tools? The Leigh really does have a lot of versatility when it comes to joint making. Another template provides guidance for creating box joints and through dovetails. This of course results in faster, more accurate results. A lot of them are only good for half blinds though. This sees Porter-Cable replacing worn parts that are caused by normal use, at no extra cost. An expensive tool with a an extensive warranty is one that I assume will work well and I can always take it back if it dont. Would you mind sharing a link to the tool please? The original manual said to use a 1/2 bushing with the jig. Essentially, you will not have to think about how the parts you cut will align. 1/2" Sliding Dovetail Template, D4654 To sum it up, the Porter-Cable 4216 dovetail jig a great all-round product. These are easy to use and hold the workpiece securely via the non-slip material thats been applied to the clamping surface. Rest assured there is nothing more annoying than a piece of wood slipping mid-cut just because your jig isnt up to the job. These offer greater handling and ease of use. I have been wanting to get a dovetail jig for sometime now. A mistake here will render the rest of the piece lopsided, and so particular care is called for. That being said, their 18 gauge pneumatic 2 in 1 stapler/nailer is better than the ridgid 18 gauge and it cost $13 with a coupon. Heres our detailed guide, see more about it here!**. There is a formula based on the size of your router plate. Look out for this as these will allow you to correct any offset for the pins and tails of the joint automatically. Thanks for the feedback everyone. '9O}b0ARLF#EEt#r2+ bd,JgL)]-&0In:L9hBM_rMI3UMhka.9U"YLx2"Xdcj]\v$Pi}%\^EmmHeim_(1$O5&SCQE8gr(P,-9]kQ/v69tnpl@688""hBqHDq !0n` For me it works great and was worth the $23 I paid for it.Thanks for reading and I hope this helps someone.Tim. 0000003850 00000 n No slipping yet but time will tell.On issue 2: The template is made of metal so no flexing or brittleness. If this happened I am pretty sure a person could just take the jig back and get another if so inclined.I hope this helps and thank you for reading. 1/2" 14 Dovetail 1/4" Shank, W1096 Porter-Cable 4216 dovetail jig is easy to use, Its also lightweight thus making it easy to carry around. However, having talked to people that have used these jigs there is still some trial and error involved. 0000045304 00000 n The on-board instructions also provide clear user guidance for the many applications the jig has to offer. Also, I have noticed an error in assembly on some of these models at the factory. I am glad you posted this. I agree that there small clamps are nice, but the medium and long ones bend very easily, HF has a lot of very good products. 3. -- I wouldn't be so arrogant if you weren't such a moron! 0000003419 00000 n But this looks top "notch"! !Also, whatever bushing set you use, if you have to mount a new baseplate on your router be sure it is centered. Latest Blog Entries | I was apprehensive about putting this review on here because before I tried this jig the words Harbor Freight and Dovetail Jig should not have meant anything good. If the E-bush twists, it alters its active diameter; the diameter, in turn, alters the fit of the finger joints as well as the half-blind dovetails. The jig makes marking of the angles to be simple and also precise; overall a great starter jig for those that do not need the versatility of some of the more expensive units in our top 5 review round up. Do I fork over the bucks for a Porter Cable jig or do I buy a cheaper jig and see if it does the job for less money. We have invested millions of dollars in our own test labs and factories, so our tools will go toe-to-toe with the top professional brands. We guarantee this product to be free from defects in materials and workmanship 90 days from the date of purchase. Rarely will you need to pay over $250 to get a jig that will fulfill your needs? Note: Specifications are approximate and subject to change. Jig and template are packaged in a full-color UPC-coded display box. Check out this comprehensive guide about the best bow saw! WAY TO GO NEWBIE!! After several attempts to figure things out from the ridiculous instructions that came with it, I gave up and put it on the shelf and it hasnt been used since. Limitations apply. I have tried this type of approach many times with many tools. Look out for these in the small print as these are very handy, especially if you are using one for the first time. As this unit is one of the more entry level priced jigs, it is good that the user manual is so comprehensive; it offers plenty of details to get you started. There are a few issues you should consider before you buy: , know the cutting limits of the set you are after! I will likely buy one when I have more fun tickets in the wallet but for right now this jig works great.I can only give this product 3 stars because I have never used another one and have nothing to compare it to. -- There is little that is simple when it comes to making a simple box. UPDATEAfter more tinkering with settings on day#2 with the jig I extended the bit out a little more and removed the masking tape shim. The hate on them is mostly just nonsense, Just dont buy bits from them. Please dont hesitate to post any findings on an off brand tool. Been using the same one for the last 8 years. Another worthy feature comes from the fact the router bit depth gauge has the ability to set the bit depths without the need for taking measurements.
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