question about the Leigh DR4, Festool and dust collection
- Thread starter erikfsn
- Start date
I have a 1400 and the Super 18 with the support so it's a different setup but I like the support. I would have little dust collection without it because the guide bush and fingers block most of the chips. The support is nice as well, I'd recommend it.
Although I have the Porter-Cable Omnijig, the idea is still the same.
Because the bit is basically cutting through the underside of the material, the dust collection from the router is only sub-par. Most of the debris is dropped from the bottom of the bit. Therefore, dust collection from the bottom of the jig will be much more productive than hoping to suck the dust up through the guide bushing, fingers, and material.
Also, the outboard support for the router is very helpful in keeping the router base flat to the jig. It seems that it would be a very worthy upgrade and something you'll never regret once you start using the DR4.
This is one of the tasks that I don't anticipate using a Festool router for. I have a PC 690 set for the jig without dust collection on the router itself. I rely on the dust extraction from the add-on accessory and use it with my dust collector and 4" tubing.
If the bit is cutting the top of the work (like round-over, dado, profiles. fluting), the Festool dust collection is really great. In the case of dovetail jigs, the built-in dust collection can't hope to draw the chips up through the material efficiently.
Because the bit is basically cutting through the underside of the material, the dust collection from the router is only sub-par. Most of the debris is dropped from the bottom of the bit. Therefore, dust collection from the bottom of the jig will be much more productive than hoping to suck the dust up through the guide bushing, fingers, and material.
Also, the outboard support for the router is very helpful in keeping the router base flat to the jig. It seems that it would be a very worthy upgrade and something you'll never regret once you start using the DR4.
This is one of the tasks that I don't anticipate using a Festool router for. I have a PC 690 set for the jig without dust collection on the router itself. I rely on the dust extraction from the add-on accessory and use it with my dust collector and 4" tubing.
If the bit is cutting the top of the work (like round-over, dado, profiles. fluting), the Festool dust collection is really great. In the case of dovetail jigs, the built-in dust collection can't hope to draw the chips up through the material efficiently.
billybokay
Member
- Joined
- Mar 11, 2007
- Messages
- 103
ok not to hijack the thread, but dovetails have been lacking in my work due to a cheap jig and the ease of using the domino on drawers. I have the 1010 and the 1400 and I remember alot of hoopla when the omni jig was getting ready to be released. I didn't pay much attention after it was released, so here goes. Which one is considered the one to own. The leigh dr4 or the pc omni, both with the extra dust collection assembly of course.
bonesbr549
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- Jan 1, 2008
- Messages
- 542
erikfsn said:
I've had the D4R for several years now. I got mine prior to the VRS being developed and it put out a ton of chips. I would be covered when done. I bought the VRS and its amazing at the difference. To me the extra support it provides is more important. Before, you had to be real maticulous on the exit point of the finger assembly. Now you don't worry as much as you go in out and side to side and don't need to worry about tipping. I've used the PC 890 series and the new OF1400 equally well. I use two routers one for the strait bit and one for the dovetail so when your set up you just go! If you do a lot of stuff with the same thickness save your test cuts to use as set up blocks for future cuts and you will save a lot of time.
Great tool!
) for replies. Sigh, more money . . .billybokay said:
That'll be tough to answer; as I bet each owner has only used the system they have.
It would be easy for me to say the Omnijig is better; since I've gotten excellent results without ever changing the factory defaults. However, I've never used a Leigh; so what do I know?
After using the D4R for years without the VRS, I too was amazed at the improvement. Pre VRS, your shoes were gone in 15 minutes. The ease of balance with the VRS is a huge advantage also.
I have found that for production on the D4R- hours of continuous use, a router with low-mounted symmetrical handles is far more comfortable than the configuration on the OF1010 and OF1400. The handles of these routers are made for standing over the workpiece, not sitting in front of it. I use the OF1400 on my Leigh FMT, and an 1100 watt Makita on the D4R.
I have found that for production on the D4R- hours of continuous use, a router with low-mounted symmetrical handles is far more comfortable than the configuration on the OF1010 and OF1400. The handles of these routers are made for standing over the workpiece, not sitting in front of it. I use the OF1400 on my Leigh FMT, and an 1100 watt Makita on the D4R.
I've just finished making several drawers (3/4" stock) using my 1400 with a 11/16" dovetail cutter and 1/2" straight cutter. As others have mentioned the VRS collected +80% of the chips. Before I started I thought about using both the 1400 dust collection from above and and the VRS from below but after I saw how well the VRS dust collection worked I didn't see much if any benefit of using both.
Even without the dust collection aspect, the VRS makes a very nice outboard support for the router & is easily removed with the magnets that hold it in place.
The Leigh DR4 is very easy to setup and I can't imagine not having & using the VRS along with it.
I've been reading about the Router Boss (similar to the Wood Rat) & I'm curious if anyone on here has one and their thoughts about it?
Even without the dust collection aspect, the VRS makes a very nice outboard support for the router & is easily removed with the magnets that hold it in place.
The Leigh DR4 is very easy to setup and I can't imagine not having & using the VRS along with it.
I've been reading about the Router Boss (similar to the Wood Rat) & I'm curious if anyone on here has one and their thoughts about it?
Jerry Work
Member
- Joined
- Jan 16, 2007
- Messages
- 307
I use five different dovetail jigs in my studio on a daily basis. All are messy and none are perfect at dust collection. Any dudad that hangs below the surface of the workpieces with a vac attached will improve DC. All will be in the way one way or the other. The most important thing is to learn ONE DT system well, cutting all kinds of joints, regardless of the mess you make. Once you settle on ONE DT system for the way you work, then try to improve DC. Before that point you are only speculating and spending money you do not need to spend. Hope this helps.
Jerry
Jerry
erikfsn said:
Hello Jerry,
You've made me very curious. I highly respect your advice on all subjects but in this case you've confused me. It doesn't sound like you are following your own advice, are you using (5) different jigs on a daily basis because you are writing reviews or doing some sort of on going evaluation? (Instead of settling on one system).
Best Regards,
You've made me very curious. I highly respect your advice on all subjects but in this case you've confused me. It doesn't sound like you are following your own advice, are you using (5) different jigs on a daily basis because you are writing reviews or doing some sort of on going evaluation? (Instead of settling on one system).
Best Regards,
Jerry Work said: