MJ

Mark & Juanita

10/07/2009 10:46 PM

Update on end table project


It's about time to demonstrate that I am still doing some woodworking.
The end table carcases are pretty much complete (they are not glued up in
the pictures shown, but are dry fit to allow me to fit the drawers.

<www.mklange.cnc.net/EndTables/EndTables.html>

home page: <www.mklange.cnc.net>

I've spent just about the last 3 months (at a moderately low level of
weekend time) working on getting the Leigh jig to produce as near gap-free
dovetail joints as possible. At this point, I've given up and have ordered
an Akeda jig. If that pans out, the Leigh jig is most likely going on
Craig's list.


--
If you're going to be dumb, you better be tough


This topic has 8 replies

LZ

Luigi Zanasi

in reply to Mark & Juanita on 10/07/2009 10:46 PM

11/07/2009 8:37 PM

On Jul 10, 10:46=A0pm, Mark & Juanita <[email protected]> wrote:
> =A0 It's about time to demonstrate that I am still doing some woodworking=
.
> <www.mklange.cnc.net/EndTables/EndTables.html>

nice work Mark!

> =A0 I've spent just about the last 3 months (at a moderately low level of
> weekend time) working on getting the Leigh jig to produce as near gap-fre=
e
> dovetail joints as possible. =A0At this point, I've given up and have ord=
ered
> an Akeda jig. =A0If that pans out, the Leigh jig is most likely going on
> Craig's list.

That's weird. I think it's the first negative thing I've seen on the
Leigh jig in the wreck, other than it's too complicated. Could you
elaborate for us contemplating a purchase. Inquiring minds want to
know.

Luigi

kk

karmstrn

in reply to Mark & Juanita on 10/07/2009 10:46 PM

11/07/2009 11:11 PM

On Jul 12, 12:07=A0am, Mark & Juanita <[email protected]> wrote:
> dpb wrote:
> > Mark & Juanita wrote:
> >> Larry wrote:
>
> > ...
> >>> Please post a follow-up on the Akeda jig. ...
>
> > I guess I'd be interested in a short summary of the issues w/
> > Leigh--they were supposed to be A-1 I thunk???
>
> > --
>
> =A0 I posted a series of issues I was having with mine a month or so ago,
> check on Google for the full story as well as a bunch of very helpful
> advice from people on this board. Bottom line: I have been unable to get
> gapless half-blind joints. =A0On past projects, I spent inordinate amount=
s of
> time with test cuts, setup adjustments, etc and finally got to where I
> would "settle" for a result and go into production with that setup. =A0On
> this project, I decided I was done "settling" and was going to probe into
> the problem until I got the joins I wanted. =A0I now know more about the
> leigh jig than I have ever wanted to know, have probed and identified
> pretty much every possible source of error and still am not getting gaple=
ss
> joints -- there are just too many possible sources of error. =A0IMO, one =
of
> the primary contributors is the fact that the router has no front support
> for the router this provides significant potential for tipping when movin=
g
> from finger to finger. =A0Another strong source of error is the support
> structure for the bars and fingers doubling as support for router and bei=
ng
> constructed such that torquing and twisting of that structure is possible=
,
> even when using a backer board. =A0Finally, even though the infinitely
> variable width adjustments of the fingers is a nice feature, the
> implementation allows for misalignment when tightening the fingers allowi=
ng
> slight mis-matches of the tail and pin cuts. =A0
>
> =A0 I bought the Leigh because it is supposed to be A-1. =A0After 3 major
> projects easily over 20 hours on each project trying to get gapless 1/2
> blind joints. =A0I've swapped fingers, bits, tried multiple techniques an=
d am
> still not getting there, I've finally decided, "no mas" -- I'm going to
> replace the Leigh with a jig that addresses the issues I've observed.
>
> --
> If you're going to be dumb, you better be tough

I really like the look of those end tables and renderings. The curves
are very nice.

Lr

Larry

in reply to Mark & Juanita on 10/07/2009 10:46 PM

11/07/2009 6:46 PM

Mark & Juanita <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:

> www.mklange.cnc.net/EndTables/EndT

Awesome! Finish really highlights the figure in the wood.

Please post a follow-up on the Akeda jig. I'm about ready to
purchase one and another positive review would make me feel
better.

Larry

MJ

Mark & Juanita

in reply to Mark & Juanita on 10/07/2009 10:46 PM

12/07/2009 2:40 PM

karmstrn wrote:

... snip
>
> I really like the look of those end tables and renderings. The curves
> are very nice.


Thanks.


--
If you're going to be dumb, you better be tough

RC

Robatoy

in reply to Mark & Juanita on 10/07/2009 10:46 PM

11/07/2009 8:09 AM

On Jul 11, 1:46=A0am, Mark & Juanita <[email protected]> wrote:
> =A0 It's about time to demonstrate that I am still doing some woodworking=
.
> The end table carcases are pretty much complete (they are not glued up in
> the pictures shown, but are dry fit to allow me to fit the drawers.
>
> <www.mklange.cnc.net/EndTables/EndTables.html>
>
> home page: <www.mklange.cnc.net>
>
> =A0 I've spent just about the last 3 months (at a moderately low level of
> weekend time) working on getting the Leigh jig to produce as near gap-fre=
e
> dovetail joints as possible. =A0At this point, I've given up and have ord=
ered
> an Akeda jig. =A0If that pans out, the Leigh jig is most likely going on
> Craig's list.
>
> --
> If you're going to be dumb, you better be tough

Fabulous looking cherry. *drools*

MJ

Mark & Juanita

in reply to Mark & Juanita on 10/07/2009 10:46 PM

11/07/2009 10:07 PM

dpb wrote:

> Mark & Juanita wrote:
>> Larry wrote:
>>
> ...
>>> Please post a follow-up on the Akeda jig. ...
>
> I guess I'd be interested in a short summary of the issues w/
> Leigh--they were supposed to be A-1 I thunk???
>
> --

I posted a series of issues I was having with mine a month or so ago,
check on Google for the full story as well as a bunch of very helpful
advice from people on this board. Bottom line: I have been unable to get
gapless half-blind joints. On past projects, I spent inordinate amounts of
time with test cuts, setup adjustments, etc and finally got to where I
would "settle" for a result and go into production with that setup. On
this project, I decided I was done "settling" and was going to probe into
the problem until I got the joins I wanted. I now know more about the
leigh jig than I have ever wanted to know, have probed and identified
pretty much every possible source of error and still am not getting gapless
joints -- there are just too many possible sources of error. IMO, one of
the primary contributors is the fact that the router has no front support
for the router this provides significant potential for tipping when moving
from finger to finger. Another strong source of error is the support
structure for the bars and fingers doubling as support for router and being
constructed such that torquing and twisting of that structure is possible,
even when using a backer board. Finally, even though the infinitely
variable width adjustments of the fingers is a nice feature, the
implementation allows for misalignment when tightening the fingers allowing
slight mis-matches of the tail and pin cuts.

I bought the Leigh because it is supposed to be A-1. After 3 major
projects easily over 20 hours on each project trying to get gapless 1/2
blind joints. I've swapped fingers, bits, tried multiple techniques and am
still not getting there, I've finally decided, "no mas" -- I'm going to
replace the Leigh with a jig that addresses the issues I've observed.


--
If you're going to be dumb, you better be tough

dn

dpb

in reply to Mark & Juanita on 10/07/2009 10:46 PM

11/07/2009 2:16 PM

Mark & Juanita wrote:
> Larry wrote:
>
...
>> Please post a follow-up on the Akeda jig. ...

I guess I'd be interested in a short summary of the issues w/
Leigh--they were supposed to be A-1 I thunk???

--

MJ

Mark & Juanita

in reply to Mark & Juanita on 10/07/2009 10:46 PM

11/07/2009 12:11 PM

Larry wrote:

> Mark & Juanita <[email protected]> wrote in
> news:[email protected]:
>
>> www.mklange.cnc.net/EndTables/EndT
>
> Awesome! Finish really highlights the figure in the wood.
>
> Please post a follow-up on the Akeda jig. I'm about ready to
> purchase one and another positive review would make me feel
> better.
>
> Larry

Will do. Placed the order Wednesday, should have shipped Thursday. Just
be aware that the "C" kit is only partially available. They are currently
shipping all but the bit box (I can live with that), the 14 degree dovetail
bit (I ordered a separate one), and the standard size guide bushing (one
comes with the jig).



--
If you're going to be dumb, you better be tough


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