Adjustable finger dovetail jigs

[cgraham]

I am looking to jump up from a craftsman dovetail jig to a model that has adjustable fingers. Any suggestions? I have watched the Leigh video but was wondering what else is out there

 

[Kev]

I wouldn't consider anything other than a Leigh D4R Pro, based on extensive research .. but not hands on experience.

The additional support and dust extraction system and the option to add Isoloc templates makes it the Rolls Royce of what's on the market to me.

http://www.leighjigs.com/d4_overview.php

 

[wow]

I have owned my Leigh D24 (not sure if it has any other letters after that) for 20 years and I really like it. It was the top choice when I bought it. I have not been shopping for a replacement, so I'm probably out of touch as to what's out there now, but I wanted to give one  [thumbs up] to the Leigh.

 

[nclemmons]

I have an Akeda which I like a lot.  Not sure if they still are in production, but worth a look.

neil

 

[dltflt]

I have the newer porter cable that is very similar to the Leigh. I have not used much but the little I have it is a nice jig.

 

[bkharman]

I use my Incra LS. It does a ton of joints.

 

[Sparktrician]

I use the Leigh SuperJig 18".  It's really sweet with the OF 1010. 

 

[otis04]

On more vote for the Leigh.  It is adjustable but will also do half blind at a fixed spacing if you are doing, say, 40 drawers for a kitchen.  I love mine and with the optional dust collection system hooked up to my Festool vac (the hose will connect directly to the Leigh fixture), there is very little dust.  I have wondered if the dual hose set-up from the Festool router table (i.e. hooked up to the router and the Leigh fixture) would approach 100%. 

I use the 1400 with no problem, but the Leigh bits are primarily 8 mm so the 1010 will work

 

[Mickfb]

+1 for Leigh DR4

 

[mtnsona]

I have the Leigh DR4. With the dust collection option, it will collect most of the large amount of dust a dovetail bit produces.

 

[Roseland]

Another +1 for the Leigh Super D4.  With the vacuum adapter it makes dovetailing precise and clean.

Andrew

 

[1951CorrectCraft]

30 half blind dovetail drawers with the Leigh DR 4 Pro. Had excellent results with my OF 1400.

 

[wow]

30 half blind dovetail drawers with the Leigh DR 4 Pro. Had excellent results with my OF 1400.

Mind if I ask how big they were (average) and how long it took to do 30 of them? I didn't use mine enough to get proficient with it, but I still think it's faster than any other jig out there.

 

[1951CorrectCraft]

I had the maple milled to 1/2 " I had about 24 hours into them.

 

[1951CorrectCraft]

That was to a completed drawer.

 

[jacko9]

I bought the Leigh D1258 24" wide but have purchased all of the upgrades including the VRS Vacuum and Router support which works fantastic with my Festool CT22 (with the 36mm hose).

I haven't seen anything on the market that matches the Leigh for simplicity and accuracy.  It does take a medium learning curve to get the terminology and techniques down and you need to record your setting including; wood type, cutter, etc to help with future setups.

The dovetails produced in hardwoods are spot on and the addition of the VRS vacuum attachment makes it a pretty clean operation.

Jack

 

[JLB builders LLC]

I used the DR 4 Pro? 24" wide? years ago to build cabinets in a workshop (4 car garage) Use cabinet grade plywood, doubled up the plywood on the jig so there wasn't any tear out from the bit and plywood layers. Took a few practice pieces to set it up but after that worked perfect. It has been on my want list ever since.

 

[PreferrablyWood]

I've got a yen for the Leigh D4 dovetail jig, thinking that although the Domino 700 XL is on my list for larger projects, I would thing I'd rather use dovetails on smaller stock shelves drawers, bookcases, both because it seems more duratble but also because it's more beautiful, interesting visually.