Advice on Leigh jig

[Wooden Lungs]

I am planning a few projects with dovetail joints in the near future and would also just like to improve my built ins with decent drawer construction! We handmade a kitchen recently but bought in the maple drawer boxes. They were poorly made. Real sloppy dovetails which has inspired me to make my own in future.

I have two routers I might wish to use on a leigh super jig one is the OF1400 and the other my Dewalt DW622k. I actually think the Dewalt would be better as its lighter and I have had it for a few years now and really like it [smile]

I was thinking of a super 12 to start off with and it may just be enough for me to be honest. As its such a small jig I thought the Dewalt would be better???
I dont want to make a mistake and buy guide bushes inserts etc for the lesser router so need advice.

Also can you cut finger joints on the super 12? I did watch vids from Peter Parfitt and the wood whisperer but am still a bit lost as to what to purchase.

 

[chrisrosenb]

Yes you can cut finger joints on the Leigh Super Jigs. The joint sizes you can cut with the 12" Super Jig are 5/16" & 5/8".
They sell an optional finger joint template for the 18" & 24" Super Jigs that allows more sizes of finger joints to be cut.

If you get the threaded Porter Cable style guide bushings, you can use those on about any router with an adapter.

I personally prefer the Bosch 1617 routers for use with the Leigh Jig because the handles on the 1617 routers are mounted very low.
For me, it is easier to keep the base of the router flat on the template when the router handles are low on the base.

The Vacuum Router Support is a very nice option to consider also.

How to cut finger joints with a Super Jig.
 

 

[Kev]

I haven't got a good answer for you as I've been going round in circles on a jig myself.

On finger joints though I'm pretty certain you can do them on the super 12, 18, 24 and Pro by carefully setting the fingers with the supplied spacer, but there's also a template for finger joints - not sure if it's available for the 12.

I've researched all I could read about, starting with a desire for the Festool VS600, then moving on due to inflexibility. Now my eyes are set on the Leigh D4R Pro again as the Isoloc templates bring all of the quick setup of the VS600, with massive potential ... still with all of the flexibility of the fully configurable jig.

Only the Pro supports all of the templates, but I'd at least consider the Super 18 so you could take advantage of some of the templates in the future.

I'm not sure how good the Leigh due collection unit is, but you'd want to do everything you can to keep mess out of your work. I got a OF1010 specifically to pair with my yet to be acquired jig.

 

[otis04]

I have the D4R Pro with the optional dust collection.  It is very effective and and the 27 mm hose connects directly so it almost feels like a Festool accessory.  I use the OF 1400 and haven't had any issues, I like the 1/254" adjustability to really zero in on a tight joint.

 

[Kev]

I have the D4R Pro with the optional dust collection.  It is very effective and and the 27 mm hose connects directly so it almost feels like a Festool accessory.  I use the OF 1400 and haven't had any issues, I like the 1/254" adjustability to really zero in on a tight joint.

Great to hear about the DC - yet another compelling point for me  [wink]

 

[farms100]

learn to hand cut them, then start to mix in some power to assist the process.

 

[Sparktrician]

The OF 1010 is just the best one to use with the Super 18.  I use the Leigh 704R adapter plate with the OF 1010 and a P-C style guide bushing from Whiteside that comes with a centering mandrel.  The Festool guide bushing adapter is so tightly fit that it prevents perfect centering of the bushing. 

 

[Roseland]

I've got the Leigh D4 and both 1010 and 1400 routers.  I love them all.  But when using the Leigh jig I've settled on an old Bosch POF500A router and enlarged baseplate, as that gives no opportunity for tipping.

I've modified the router by moving the spring so that it pushes the head downwards; that way there's no risk I can release it and have it spring up and jam a dovetail cutter in the guide bush.  The enlarged baseplate is an aluminium version of the Trend Unibase which I also have (waste of money, not flat).  It has a low friction coating on it which makes for very smooth travel.

I hope this helps.

Andrew

 

[RONWEN]

Yes you can cut finger joints on the Leigh Super Jigs. The joint sizes you can cut with the 12" Super Jig are 5/16" & 5/8".
They sell an optional finger joint template for the 18" & 24" Super Jigs that allows more sizes of finger joints to be cut.

If you get the threaded Porter Cable style guide bushings, you can use those on about any router with an adapter.

I personally prefer the Bosch 1617 routers for use with the Leigh Jig because the handles on the 1617 routers are mounted very low.
For me, it is easier to keep the base of the router flat on the template when the router handles are low on the base.

The Vacuum Router Support is a very nice option to consider also.

How to cut finger joints with a Super Jig.
 

I agree.  I have two (2) Bosch 1617's that are dedicated to the Leigh jig.  The handles are very comfortable while using the jig.

 

[woodwrights_corner]

Each router would only need one bushing adaptor at most.  The one you need for the OF 1400 may have been included with the router.  You should get an E 7 bushing included with the Leigh jig.  The only other bushings you may need are the E 8 and the E 10.  All three of these bushings should meet all of your needs for a Leigh dovetail jig regardless of router or adaptor.  

You may want to consider buying a used D4 or D4R as these can be field upgraded to a D4R Pro if you choose.  Also, you have the capability of adding the any of the 24" templates to these.  I believe you would be able to resell the 24" easier and for better money than the smaller jigs.  Just a thought.

Check out  www.leighjigs.com