Dovetail jig

[jo041326]

Hi all,
I'm a hobby woodworker with nice collection of Festool tools. Now I'd like to add a dovetail jig. More or less just for aesthetic reasons, because I'm satisfied with the Domino joints. I want to use it for smaller drawers from thin plywood (8 mm), for chest boxes and sliding dovetails. My use will be only occasional, so I want easy setup.

I am thinking about Festool VS600, Leigh D4R, Leigh Super24 and Akeda BC24.

I'd like to have the width 24" because some boxes will be wider than 18".

As for Festool VS600, I don't like the templates are up to 20 mm and from 21 mm because I use mainly rubber wood or beech 20 mm thick. With Leigh, I am affraid it's too complicated to setup wit occasional use.
Akeda uses their own copy rings and cutters which seems to me a little odd.

What is your opinion?
Thank you
Josef

 

[Bru]

Hi, I am a hobby woodworker also. I have the Leigh R24 and enjoy it. Leigh had the best instructions I've ever seen from a tool company. You have the manual where you record your dimensions and settings, so you can reproduce them later. Great DVD or video how to's. The really advantage to Leigh is you adjust the size,and the template type ( they have some odd Isoloc and finger dovetails ). Just my 2 cents, I have never used any other jig, learning curve was very quick and easy. Just like Festool you might get hooked, and feel the need to buy more. Good Luck. Bru

 

[tvgordon]

I have the Leigh Super 24 and, although I've only used to build a blanket chest, found it to be fairly easy to set up and use.  It can also be used to cut both sides of half blind dovetails for drawers in one pass.  I spent a couple of evenings setting everything up and cutting a little on some scrap wood.  After that, setting up and cutting the dovetails for an 18" chest was all done in an hour or two.  Get the accessory kit with the jig, the dust collection works and can be used with a shop vac or Festool vac.  I bought it before Christmas and still waiting on the DVD (from the SuperJig package) and the router bit box (from the accessory kit). 

Tom.

 

[Overtime]

I have the VS 600 and there are thickness limitations for each of the templates. Here is a list of the templates and the stock thickness range for each. First on the list are the two Box Joint sizes. Then the two Half Blind Dovetail sizes. And finally the two Through Dovetail sizes. Each template comes with it's own copy ring for the OF 1010 but copy rings for the OF 1400 are available at extra cost. 

FZ 6  for box joints (small) one template required

Slot size 1/4" (6mm), workpiece thickness 1/4" - 3/8" (6-10mm)

FZ 10 for box joints (large) one template required

Slot size 3/8" (10mm), workpiece thickness 3/8" - 1 3/32" (10-28mm)

SZ 14 for half blind dovetails (small) one template required

Slot size 9/16" (14mm), workpiece thickness 5/8" - 25/32" (16-20mm)

SZ 20 for half blind dovetails (large) one template required

Slot size 25/32" (20mm), workpiece thickness 26/32" - 1 3/32" (21-28mm)

SZO 14 through dovetails (small) a set of two templates required

Slot size 17/32" (14mm), workpiece thickness 15/32" - 21/32" (12-17mm)

SZO 20 through dovetails (large) a set of two templates required

Slot size 25/32" (20mm), workpiece thickness 21/32" - 1" (17-25mm)

The Festool VS 600 is fine piece of equipment. I use my OF 1010 and it is a great combination. These templates are "fixed spaced" so that along with the thickness range for each template would be a factor when choosing a system. No variables on looks or spacing. So the system gives you two sizes in each category and it is a good balance of what I would use for most projects. It will not give you long thin artistic dovetails with variable spacing. But it will provide solid, good looking and fitting joints in all of it's template ranges.

Only buy the templates that fit with your project and add another at a later time.

  Currently I've been using the FZ 6 for small boxes. The results are always a perfect fit. I have also used the SZ 14 for half blind dovetails for drawers and perfect results there as well. I am very pleased with this system and every time I see a discussion on box joints and set up - or another new dovetail system is released  - I feel good that I went with the Festool. It fits with the routers, The size and thickness range has been fine for me so far. Except not being able to go 1/2" on the half blind  But it hasn't been a big deal.

 

 

[jo041326]

Thank you guys for your replies and exhausting summary of VS600 templates. I think I will go to Leigh D4R.
Josef

 

[fidelfs]

I am like you this is a hobby, so  I needed a jig with the following specifications:

1. I can use it for something else not just dovetail.  A dovetail jig that only does dovetail is a waste of money in my book.  I understand the professionals need speed and easy to make it, but for a hobby, I need something else.

2. It won't create clutter.  This works together with number one because I want to use for something else so when I don't use dovetail it will take just space.

3.  I don't have to spend a fortune buying more add ons to have multi functions.

4. Very accurate.  I know some jigs are really good but you have to move it until you get it right.

A few years back bought the woodrat thinking I can use as multi router and it is less expensive.  Boy, I was wrong.  I think the idea is really good but needs a little tweak or maybe needs to be manufactur by festool.  It does not have the accuracy of the domino, or any other festool tool.

Well I keep searching and moving towards the leigh jigs D4R.  I was really close to buy it but following my requirement list, it fall short.  If I want to use it for something else I have to buy expensive jigs and at the end it will cost a fortune.  If I don't buy the add-ons then number 1 and 2 will apply.

So my search continued but I settle down with the Incra LS super system.  It covers all my requirement list.
It is a router table fence and I could use it as just my router fence, band saw fence, drill fence even Table saw and MFT from festool.  It won't create clutter because I already have a router table so It has a home already.  All I need is included in the system, templates, stops, fences, dust extraction, etc.
Accurate, I don't even have to explain how accurate is this thing.

I know if you are a pro, the speed to make dovetails is a must, but for  my hobby the looks and quality of the end result is more important.  So I just bought the Incra LS super system 2 days ago.

;D

 

[jo041326]

Hi fidelfs,
thank you. I'm on the same boat. Except, I'm living in Czech republic and I can't buy Incra stuff here. I have even big problem to get Leigh.
I know D4R is VERY expensive, but if I buy something, I want to have minimum limitations for my present and future projects. Leigh seems to match my requirements. The only problem is the high price for the hobbyist. Their Superjig 24 is less expensive but have also some limitations.
I'll see.
Josef