dove tail jig

[papasmurff]

Before my fire I used a porter cable 24"OMNI JIG for my drawer boxes. I am getting ready to buy a new dovetail jig and am requesting advice on what others are using and how you like it.
thank you for your assistance
bill

 

[Tinker]

For quick, I have the Keller pro. It was dead on with my first setup.  Not much choice for variation tho.

If i have time and doing multiple boxes or drawers, I like my WoodRat.  The limitations with that are basically my own imagination.  But there is a large learning curve and setup time can be much larger.  i have to review the handbook every time i use it.  several adjustments usually necessary.  But can use any size and shape of bit.  No jig necessary other than the rat frame, router and pencil for marking. 

Made in America copy of WR is Router Boss with several improvements.

None of above have DC.  There is supposedly DC for the Rat, but not great.
The Keller has no DC.  The Router Boss has made improvements over the Rat, but I don't expect anything like with my Festoy routers.
Tinker

 

[Ed Bray]

I bought a Leigh D4 jig about 18 years ago and it is a very good bit of kit, even more so now with the almost Festool like dust extraction of the VRS add on. It has another Festool like attribute, the price.  [eek] But, it is a very good bit of kit.

 

[grbmds]

I have a large 24" Porter Cable which is great but it was a purchase I wish I had never made. It's quite a process to set up although, once set for a particular bit and template, it is supposed to be set correctly the next time also. As I have said in other posts, I've recently bought an Incra router table combo and will do all my dovetails with that in the future. It's quicker and more easily set up to be accurate.

 

[Rob Z]

Tinker---I hadn't heard of Router Boss before this.  Thanks for the tip.  Have you seen the video at their site? Impressive piece of equipment.

For quick, I have the Keller pro. It was dead on with my first setup.  Not much choice for variation tho.

If i have time and doing multiple boxes or drawers, I like my WoodRat.  The limitations with that are basically my own imagination.  But there is a large learning curve and setup time can be much larger.  i have to review the handbook every time i use it.  several adjustments usually necessary.  But can use any size and shape of bit.  No jig necessary other than the rat frame, router and pencil for marking. 

Made in America copy of WR is Router Boss with several improvements.

None of above have DC.  There is supposedly DC for the Rat, but not great.
The Keller has no DC.  The Router Boss has made improvements over the Rat, but I don't expect anything like with my Festoy routers.
Tinker

 

[yworkcb]

  If you know anyone driving north from SW Fl . I have a 24" Omni for sale with extra templates for . Switched to the new Leigh RJT400 since I'm downsizing and working at home .The PC is a tank and the Leigh is a sports car.  Chris

 

[nclemmons]

I have an Akeda - not sure if they are still made, but it's great for adjustable dovetails with fast, easy setup.
A step below the Leigh but still a good choice.

 

[waho6o9]

I always wonder how the Akedas worked and thought they

were the cats meow.

 

[Sparktrician]

I really like the adjustability of the Leigh SuperJigs.  Dust collection with the VRS is very decent, too. 

 

[erock]

I have the Festool VS600 dovetail jig with all the templates.    [tongue]

Nice jig.  But no longer available in the US for some reason.  Maybe the demand wasn't high enough here in the states.  It's a sweet dovetail jig.

Once in a while they pop up on the classified section.  Well built and BIG! 

Eric

 

[Tinker]

Tinker---I hadn't heard of Router Boss before this.  Thanks for the tip.  Have you seen the video at their site? Impressive piece of equipment.

For quick, I have the Keller pro. It was dead on with my first setup.  Not much choice for variation tho.

If i have time and doing multiple boxes or drawers, I like my WoodRat.  The limitations with that are basically my own imagination.  But there is a large learning curve and setup time can be much larger.  i have to review the handbook every time i use it.  several adjustments usually necessary.  But can use any size and shape of bit.  No jig necessary other than the rat frame, router and pencil for marking. 

Made in America copy of WR is Router Boss with several improvements.

None of above have DC.  There is supposedly DC for the Rat, but not great.
The Keller has no DC.  The Router Boss has made improvements over the Rat, but I don't expect anything like with my Festoy routers.
Tinker

[member=6193]Rob Z[/member]
I have seen a couple of their vids as well as watching the owner of ChipsFly/Craftsman Gallery (I think that's it) demo the Router boss at a show up in Saranac a few years ago. As he demoed, there was no dust escaping.  However, with my experiences with the Rat, I am somewhat suspicious of how efficient in an actual shop setting.  He has added a lot of real neat jigs that are better than I have seen in the Rat vids.  I really liked what i saw in the machine at the one show and the owner (can't think of his name a the moment) was very friendly and informative.  Like just about anybody showing his wares at any wood show, he was able to do just about anything with the tool. 
Tinker

 

[monstrol]

I bit the bullet a few years back and built a new router table and got the big LS incra fence and accessories.  The learning curve is long and high but now if I am making 1 or 20 drawers the results are great and fast. You need to almost learn another language with the templates and setup, but you will  have an improved router table fence that is consistently adjustable to 1000th of an inch. IMHO