This is my first post so if the subject has already been discussed, forgive
me.
What is the best dovetail jig on the market today? I have a Sears model,
but its more frustrating to set up and use then getting an answer from my
wife. :)
I work for a drawer company, and we use a DODDS CNC SE25, but I don't have
20-30,000 dollars laying around.
Any help would be appreciated.
Yes, it has been discussed and you can do a search but I'll make a
recommendation anyway. If you are mainly doing drawers and want primarily
half blind dovetails, it's hard to beat the Porter Cable 4112 for a hundred
bucks. Once set up, I can go out to the shop, put the boards in, use my
homemade guide to set the depth of the bit and just get it done.
If you're looking for through dovetails, you would need an Akeda, Leigh or
Porter Cable Omnijig in order to do both or do variable spacing.. More
money and more complex to set up but depending on your needs, might be the
right way to go. The other option is the through dovetail jigs such as the
Keller style. They are unlimited as to length because you can keep moving
the jig down the line, but it's very difficult to get anything other than
standard spacing.
Do your search and you'll get tons of info.
Don
"Edmiester" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:v%38d.171990$D%.164206@attbi_s51...
> This is my first post so if the subject has already been discussed,
forgive
> me.
>
> What is the best dovetail jig on the market today? I have a Sears model,
> but its more frustrating to set up and use then getting an answer from my
> wife. :)
>
> I work for a drawer company, and we use a DODDS CNC SE25, but I don't have
> 20-30,000 dollars laying around.
>
> Any help would be appreciated.
>
>
I agree with Patriarch: do a google group search (DAGS). There's
plenty of info. You'll get names like Leigh, Akeda, Woodhaven, Keller,
Porter-Cable. What you may not get is the Incra and JoinTech router
table precision fences that can do dovetails and a lot of other stuff.
There's also the Wood Rat. Prepare to be bewildered with choices.....
patriarch <<patriarch>[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> "Edmiester" <[email protected]> wrote in
> news:v%38d.171990$D%.164206@attbi_s51:
>
> > This is my first post so if the subject has already been discussed,
> > forgive me.
> >
> > What is the best dovetail jig on the market today? I have a Sears
> > model, but its more frustrating to set up and use then getting an
> > answer from my wife. :)
> >
> > I work for a drawer company, and we use a DODDS CNC SE25, but I don't
> > have 20-30,000 dollars laying around.
> >
> > Any help would be appreciated.
> >
>
> The quick answer is "it depends".
>
> The more detailed answer would be to review the message threads in the
> Google groups archives, searching on Dovetail Jig recommendations.
>
> As for getting an answer from your wife, I can't help you there.
>
> Patriarch
I agree with Patriarch: do a google group search (DAGS). There's
plenty of info. You'll get names like Leigh, Akeda, Woodhaven, Keller,
Porter-Cable. What you may not get is the Incra and JoinTech router
table precision fences that can do dovetails and a lot of other stuff.
There's also the Wood Rat. Prepare to be bewildered with choices.....
patriarch <<patriarch>[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> "Edmiester" <[email protected]> wrote in
> news:v%38d.171990$D%.164206@attbi_s51:
>
> > This is my first post so if the subject has already been discussed,
> > forgive me.
> >
> > What is the best dovetail jig on the market today? I have a Sears
> > model, but its more frustrating to set up and use then getting an
> > answer from my wife. :)
> >
> > I work for a drawer company, and we use a DODDS CNC SE25, but I don't
> > have 20-30,000 dollars laying around.
> >
> > Any help would be appreciated.
> >
>
> The quick answer is "it depends".
>
> The more detailed answer would be to review the message threads in the
> Google groups archives, searching on Dovetail Jig recommendations.
>
> As for getting an answer from your wife, I can't help you there.
>
> Patriarch
Bob -- thanks for the URL -- lot's of interesting stuff, there.
"Bob" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<KVe8d.2458
[snip]
> Here is a link to an excellent review
> http://www.thewoodshop.20m.com/dovetail_jig_compare.htm
>
> Bob
OK, you've got the answer - Leigh. Own, use, love mine.
Used a Craftsman until I got the other three years ago, and it was not
difficult once you got the markings correct, with in/out right/left.
Nothing but rote without much logic. The other mental adjustment is to
realize that the depth of cut determines the tightness of the joint.
If you just make drawers where strength is the object, use the Sears. If
decoration is part of the plan, get one which allows through dovetailing.
"Edmiester" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:v%38d.171990$D%.164206@attbi_s51...
> This is my first post so if the subject has already been discussed,
forgive
> me.
>
> What is the best dovetail jig on the market today? I have a Sears model,
> but its more frustrating to set up and use then getting an answer from my
> wife. :)
>
> I work for a drawer company, and we use a DODDS CNC SE25, but I don't have
> 20-30,000 dollars laying around.
>
> Any help would be appreciated.
>
>
Never Enough Money wrote:
>
snip
> What you may not get is the Incra and JoinTech router
> table precision fences that can do dovetails and a lot of other stuff.
> There's also the Wood Rat. Prepare to be bewildered with choices.....
A vote for JoinTech. In addition to doing through and have blind
dovetails of various sizes and with variable widths as well, along
with finger/box joints, you get a fence that is precisely
positionable
WITH replaceble zero clearance fence inserts that minimize or
eliminate parts being pulled into the bit opening at the start and
end of the cut. Also comes in handy for making sliding dovetail
joints, raised panels, molding etc.
You're going to end up with a router table eventually. Why not
kill two birds with one stone now? Strongly recomend you look
into JoinTech - the Cabinet Maker System specifically.
Or - cut them by hand. Here's some instructions of one of the
many ways to hand cut them.
http://home.comcast.net/~charliebcz/DovetailDrawer0.html
charlie b
"Edmiester" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<v%38d.171990$D%.164206@attbi_s51>...
> This is my first post so if the subject has already been discussed, forgive
> me.
>
> What is the best dovetail jig on the market today? I have a Sears model,
> but its more frustrating to set up and use then getting an answer from my
> wife. :)
The Leigh jig is one of the best ones around. Very versatile, IMO
easy to set up once you know how it works. Yeah, the manual is thick,
but that's only because there are MANY sections on creating different
dovetails.
On Mon, 04 Oct 2004 04:06:51 GMT, "Edmiester" <[email protected]>
wrote:
>This is my first post so if the subject has already been discussed, forgive
>me.
>
>What is the best dovetail jig on the market today? I have a Sears model,
>but its more frustrating to set up and use then getting an answer from my
>wife. :)
>
>I work for a drawer company, and we use a DODDS CNC SE25, but I don't have
>20-30,000 dollars laying around.
>
>Any help would be appreciated.
>
The best is expensive...The Leigh jig. It take awhile to learn and
takes time to set up. I don't use a dovetail jig anymore, but cut all
of them by hand.
"Edmiester" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:v%38d.171990$D%.164206@attbi_s51...
> This is my first post so if the subject has already been discussed,
> forgive
> me.
>
> What is the best dovetail jig on the market today? I have a Sears model,
> but its more frustrating to set up and use then getting an answer from my
> wife. :)
>
> I work for a drawer company, and we use a DODDS CNC SE25, but I don't have
> 20-30,000 dollars laying around.
>
> Any help would be appreciated.
I use the Leigh Dovetail Jig. It is a top dollar jig but it is very
versatile. As you may have already found out, the cheaper jigs like the
Sears jig typically do no let you adjust the size of the tails and pins.
You are stuck with the fixed spacing on the template. The big advantage of
being able to adjust the spacing of the pins and tails is that if you do not
have to make the project fit your Dove Tail Jig set up. Typically you want
to have a half pin on both ends of the joint. With the ability to adjust
the sizes and spacing of the pins and tails you can easily accomplish this.
With fixed spacing jigs you may end up with a non symmetrical DT Joint and
perhaps no pin on one end of the joint. To have the joints come out
properly spaced on a project, you have to size the joint length to the
spacing on your jig. If building a chest of drawers, you must first
determine the height of each drawer to have proper spacing on the drawer
joints and then design the chest around the drawers. With a jig like the
Leigh you can design the chest and build the drawers to fit.
With that in mind, the Leigh is not the only jig with this capability. I am
only pointing this out as I consider this to be an important feature to
consider.
I bought the Keller jig and it worked great first time. It has its
limitations,
mainly no variable spacing. It requires the construction of a base block
but overall it is simple and makes good tight dovetails. It is made of
some kind of plastic or composite but is very strong.
--Billy
"Edmiester" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:v%38d.171990$D%.164206@attbi_s51...
> This is my first post so if the subject has already been discussed,
forgive
> me.
>
> What is the best dovetail jig on the market today? I have a Sears model,
> but its more frustrating to set up and use then getting an answer from my
> wife. :)
>
> I work for a drawer company, and we use a DODDS CNC SE25, but I don't have
> 20-30,000 dollars laying around.
>
> Any help would be appreciated.
>
>
"Edmiester" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:v%38d.171990$D%.164206@attbi_s51...
> What is the best dovetail jig on the market today? I have a Sears model,
> but its more frustrating to set up and use then getting an answer from my
> wife. :)
Here is a link to an excellent review
http://www.thewoodshop.20m.com/dovetail_jig_compare.htm
Bob
"Phisherman" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> The best is expensive...The Leigh jig. It take awhile to learn and
> takes time to set up. I don't use a dovetail jig anymore, but cut all
> of them by hand.
>
I've been meaning to spend some time dabbling with hand cut dovetails - as
soon as I finish some of the other non-wood related projects I've got on my
plate. I remember seeing a PBS show a long time ago - and I do mean a long
time ago - with an old German fellow who advocated the handcutting of
dovetails. Whipped right out on TV like they were straight cuts across a
2x4. I figure I'd rather do it that way than with a jig so I've put the
idea in the back of my mind to research this whole thing. And then along
comes your post. So... how 'bout a pointer or two to your favorite sites or
resources on hand cutting dovetails?
--
-Mike-
[email protected]
"Edmiester" <[email protected]> wrote in
news:v%38d.171990$D%.164206@attbi_s51:
> This is my first post so if the subject has already been discussed,
> forgive me.
>
> What is the best dovetail jig on the market today? I have a Sears
> model, but its more frustrating to set up and use then getting an
> answer from my wife. :)
>
> I work for a drawer company, and we use a DODDS CNC SE25, but I don't
> have 20-30,000 dollars laying around.
>
> Any help would be appreciated.
>
The quick answer is "it depends".
The more detailed answer would be to review the message threads in the
Google groups archives, searching on Dovetail Jig recommendations.
As for getting an answer from your wife, I can't help you there.
Patriarch
You talking about the video by Frank Klausz called "Dovetail a Drawer."
It's awesome. My local library had it.
In Lonnie Bird's bandsaw book he also has a good description of how to use
the bandsaw for the cuts, which is what I do.
Mark
"Mike Marlow" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "Phisherman" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>>
>> The best is expensive...The Leigh jig. It take awhile to learn and
>> takes time to set up. I don't use a dovetail jig anymore, but cut all
>> of them by hand.
>>
>
> I've been meaning to spend some time dabbling with hand cut dovetails - as
> soon as I finish some of the other non-wood related projects I've got on
> my
> plate. I remember seeing a PBS show a long time ago - and I do mean a
> long
> time ago - with an old German fellow who advocated the handcutting of
> dovetails. Whipped right out on TV like they were straight cuts across a
> 2x4. I figure I'd rather do it that way than with a jig so I've put the
> idea in the back of my mind to research this whole thing. And then along
> comes your post. So... how 'bout a pointer or two to your favorite sites
> or
> resources on hand cutting dovetails?
> --
>
> -Mike-
> [email protected]
>
>