Advice needed on PC4212

Bob,

I have the new PC 4212. It does both joints you listed as well as
dovetail slides, and others with a template. The first joint I did was
a half blind, and it looked excellent on a desk drawer, and I had never
done a dovetail joint in my life (I am certainly not a phd either).

Joe

Bob wrote:
> I have been researching dovetail jigs both from a price standpoint as well as a functionality standpoint and find my head spinning.
>
> I am seeking a good dove tail jig that will do both half blind and through dovetails and does not require a Master's degree to use. It needs to be easy to use with little set up and limited practice cuts if any. It is not a tool that I will use in high production, but for occasional hobby only use.
>
> I about have it down to the PC4212. Can anyone share their experience and knowledge with this model? Is it a good choice for the needs I have stated above? It sure looks good from everything I have been able to find on the internet as well as their video demos.
>
> Please help me make a decision on this as I am deadlocked.
>
> I would rather cut dovetails by hand, but due to a disability, I must use power tools.
>
> Thanks for any pro or cons you can offer.

Correction, I have the older model. Disregard.

"CW" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I have a PC4212. If you fallow instruction and are careful, setup is no
> problem. Test cuts will be needed though. Not much of a way you are going
to
> get away from that with any jig. Dovetails are picky joints, accept it.
BTW,
> that jig does half blind only.
>
> "Bob" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> I have been researching dovetail jigs both from a price standpoint as well
> as a functionality standpoint and find my head spinning.
>
> I am seeking a good dove tail jig that will do both half blind and through
> dovetails and does not require a Master's degree to use. It needs to be
> easy to use with little set up and limited practice cuts if any. It is
not
> a tool that I will use in high production, but for occasional hobby only
> use.
>
> I about have it down to the PC4212. Can anyone share their experience and
> knowledge with this model? Is it a good choice for the needs I have
stated
> above? It sure looks good from everything I have been able to find on the
> internet as well as their video demos.
>
> Please help me make a decision on this as I am deadlocked.
>
> I would rather cut dovetails by hand, but due to a disability, I must use
> power tools.
>
> Thanks for any pro or cons you can offer.
>
>

Joe,

Thanks for the recommendation. This is what I am hoping to hear that will
push me over the edge and help me pull the trigger.

Thanks,
Bob


"Joe V" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Bob,
>
> I have the new PC 4212. It does both joints you listed as well as
> dovetail slides, and others with a template. The first joint I did was
> a half blind, and it looked excellent on a desk drawer, and I had never
> done a dovetail joint in my life (I am certainly not a phd either).
>
> Joe
>
> Bob wrote:
> > I have been researching dovetail jigs both from a price standpoint as
well as a functionality standpoint and find my head spinning.
> >
> > I am seeking a good dove tail jig that will do both half blind and
through dovetails and does not require a Master's degree to use. It needs
to be easy to use with little set up and limited practice cuts if any. It
is not a tool that I will use in high production, but for occasional hobby
only use.
> >
> > I about have it down to the PC4212. Can anyone share their experience
and knowledge with this model? Is it a good choice for the needs I have
stated above? It sure looks good from everything I have been able to find
on the internet as well as their video demos.
> >
> > Please help me make a decision on this as I am deadlocked.
> >
> > I would rather cut dovetails by hand, but due to a disability, I must
use power tools.
> >
> > Thanks for any pro or cons you can offer.
>

Patriarch,

When you say the Akeda is more versatile than the PC4212 could you please
provide some details? I would be curious as to what more the Akeda can do
over the PC and why I would consider paying nearly double. I hear it is a
really good machine, but for a casual user would I not be just as well off
with the PC and save the extra outlay?

Thanks,
Bob


"Patriarch" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> "Bob" <[email protected]> wrote in
> news:[email protected]:
>
> > I have been researching dovetail jigs both from a price standpoint as
> > well as a functionality standpoint and find my head spinning.
> >
>
> The Akeda, particularly at Woodcraft's current sale price, is pretty
> attractive. Maybe twice the price of the Porter Cable, but much more
> versatile.
>
> As to the learning curve, it was maybe 40 minutes to rubber hammer tight
> through dovetails in all four joints in a red oak box I made, when I first
> bought the jig, almost three years ago.
>
> Like the new Porter Cable, this one is built like a truck.
>
> Patriarch
>

"Bob" <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:

> I have been researching dovetail jigs both from a price standpoint as
> well as a functionality standpoint and find my head spinning.
>

The Akeda, particularly at Woodcraft's current sale price, is pretty
attractive. Maybe twice the price of the Porter Cable, but much more
versatile.

As to the learning curve, it was maybe 40 minutes to rubber hammer tight
through dovetails in all four joints in a red oak box I made, when I first
bought the jig, almost three years ago.

Like the new Porter Cable, this one is built like a truck.

Patriarch

"Bob" <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:

> Patriarch,
>
> When you say the Akeda is more versatile than the PC4212 could you
> please provide some details? I would be curious as to what more the
> Akeda can do over the PC and why I would consider paying nearly
> double. I hear it is a really good machine, but for a casual user
> would I not be just as well off with the PC and save the extra outlay?
>
> Thanks,
> Bob
>

The PC4212 is the best of it's type, hands down.

The Akeda will do almost infinitely variable spacing on both through and
half-blind dovetails. It uses a repeatable 'toothed' spacing system,
similar to what Incra uses in their tools, so that you can come back to
the setup later, and make a repeat of the same joint, with an accuracy
that the Leigh would be pressed to duplicate. (Leigh makes an excellent
tool - just even _more_ adjustable!)

I prefer the clamping system of the Akeda to the PC style jigs. Easier
for me to get things into position, and keep them there. Chip
collection is better, too.

But the best part is that I can leave the jig on the shelf for months,
collecting dust, and when I need to do machine dovies, it's about a 3
minute retraiing curve.

But it is at least twice the investment. In the context of a multi-
thousand dollar kitchen or bath redo, it becomes your call. Considering
the price of the other pieces of those projects...

Patriarch

CW,

I could already see it coming :)

Thanks for trying to help though.



"CW" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Correction, I have the older model. Disregard.
>
> "CW" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > I have a PC4212. If you fallow instruction and are careful, setup is no
> > problem. Test cuts will be needed though. Not much of a way you are
going
> to
> > get away from that with any jig. Dovetails are picky joints, accept it.
> BTW,
> > that jig does half blind only.
> >
> > "Bob" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> > news:[email protected]...
> > I have been researching dovetail jigs both from a price standpoint as
well
> > as a functionality standpoint and find my head spinning.
> >
> > I am seeking a good dove tail jig that will do both half blind and
through
> > dovetails and does not require a Master's degree to use. It needs to be
> > easy to use with little set up and limited practice cuts if any. It is
> not
> > a tool that I will use in high production, but for occasional hobby only
> > use.
> >
> > I about have it down to the PC4212. Can anyone share their experience
and
> > knowledge with this model? Is it a good choice for the needs I have
> stated
> > above? It sure looks good from everything I have been able to find on
the
> > internet as well as their video demos.
> >
> > Please help me make a decision on this as I am deadlocked.
> >
> > I would rather cut dovetails by hand, but due to a disability, I must
use
> > power tools.
> >
> > Thanks for any pro or cons you can offer.
> >
> >
>
>

I have a PC4212. If you fallow instruction and are careful, setup is no
problem. Test cuts will be needed though. Not much of a way you are going to
get away from that with any jig. Dovetails are picky joints, accept it. BTW,
that jig does half blind only.

"Bob" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
I have been researching dovetail jigs both from a price standpoint as well
as a functionality standpoint and find my head spinning.

I am seeking a good dove tail jig that will do both half blind and through
dovetails and does not require a Master's degree to use. It needs to be
easy to use with little set up and limited practice cuts if any. It is not
a tool that I will use in high production, but for occasional hobby only
use.

I about have it down to the PC4212. Can anyone share their experience and
knowledge with this model? Is it a good choice for the needs I have stated
above? It sure looks good from everything I have been able to find on the
internet as well as their video demos.

Please help me make a decision on this as I am deadlocked.

I would rather cut dovetails by hand, but due to a disability, I must use
power tools.

Thanks for any pro or cons you can offer.

Patriarch said "The PC4212 is the best of it's type, hands down"

Based on the above quote alone, I just pulled the trigger on this machine.

You have responded to my call for assistance in the past and I have always
found your advice to be excellent. I wish more folks out here could be as
friendly and helpful as you..... the world would be a better place.

Thanks so much for taking the time to help someone.

Your friend always,
Bob





"Patriarch" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> "Bob" <[email protected]> wrote in
> news:[email protected]:
>
> > Patriarch,
> >
> > When you say the Akeda is more versatile than the PC4212 could you
> > please provide some details? I would be curious as to what more the
> > Akeda can do over the PC and why I would consider paying nearly
> > double. I hear it is a really good machine, but for a casual user
> > would I not be just as well off with the PC and save the extra outlay?
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Bob
> >
>
> The PC4212 is the best of it's type, hands down.
>
> The Akeda will do almost infinitely variable spacing on both through and
> half-blind dovetails. It uses a repeatable 'toothed' spacing system,
> similar to what Incra uses in their tools, so that you can come back to
> the setup later, and make a repeat of the same joint, with an accuracy
> that the Leigh would be pressed to duplicate. (Leigh makes an excellent
> tool - just even _more_ adjustable!)
>
> I prefer the clamping system of the Akeda to the PC style jigs. Easier
> for me to get things into position, and keep them there. Chip
> collection is better, too.
>
> But the best part is that I can leave the jig on the shelf for months,
> collecting dust, and when I need to do machine dovies, it's about a 3
> minute retraiing curve.
>
> But it is at least twice the investment. In the context of a multi-
> thousand dollar kitchen or bath redo, it becomes your call. Considering
> the price of the other pieces of those projects...
>
> Patriarch