Router Choice for Leigh D4R

[Marcpaulsen]

Hello all and thank you in advance for your insight. We have an upcoming project that we will be purchasing a D4R dovetail jig for.  Which router would be better, the 1400, or the 2200?  I worry that the 2200 might be a tad cumbersome. Would we be wise to get the centering mandrel as well?  Cheers, -MP

 

[guybo]

Hi, welcome to the fog good info herehttps://www.festoolownersgroup.com/other-tools-accessories/best-router-with-leigh-dovetail-jig/

 

[rmhinden]

When I still had a Leigh dovetail jig I used my OF 1010.   

The main issue is selecting a router for a dovetail jig, is one that allows the guide bushing to be centered.  Leigh sells some nice guide bushings that allow for tuning the spacing of the dovetails.  I recommend them.

Bob

 

[Michael Kellough]

The genuine Leigh router bits all have 8mm shanks so the fit perfectly in the much more manageable OF 1100.

 

[NiteWalkerGR]

Hello all and thank you in advance for your insight. We have an upcoming project that we will be purchasing a D4R dovetail jig for.  Which router would be better, the 1400, or the 2200?  I worry that the 2200 might be a tad cumbersome. Would we be wise to get the centering mandrel as well?  Cheers, -MP

With my porter cable jig, I use dewalt 616 routers; they're cheap enough that I can just dedicate and leave a couple set up for half blind or through.

 

[darita]

I use two dedicated Dewalt DW618 routers with 8mm collets.  They are quick and easy to adjust, affordable and powerful.  Not only that, but their low center of gravity makes them very stable on my D4R Pro.

 

[Crazyraceguy]

I would use the OF1010 myself. It is just the right size for this type of job. It is heavy enough and with more than enough power to do the job.

Though I could certainly get behind NitewalkerGRs comment of using dedicated routers for such a thing, assuming you would do it often enough.
I don't bother with it because I have access to a Grizzly dovetail machine, so I only do through-dovetails with a router.

 

[Marcpaulsen]

Thank you all for your input. I agree with the point about the 1010, but I believe that only the straight bits have an 8mm shank and the dovetail bits have 1/2" shank.  Am I correct?

 

[Michael Kellough]

Thank you all for your input. I agree with the point about the 1010, but I believe that only the straight bits have an 8mm shank and the dovetail bits have 1/2" shank.  Am I correct?

All the Leigh bits have 8mm shanks. See here.

 

[Marcpaulsen]

I stand corrected.  Thank you.

 

[Jim_in_PA]

Hello all and thank you in advance for your insight. We have an upcoming project that we will be purchasing a D4R dovetail jig for.  Which router would be better, the 1400, or the 2200?  I worry that the 2200 might be a tad cumbersome. Would we be wise to get the centering mandrel as well?  Cheers, -MP

Honestly, I've always preferred a fixed base router for use on fixtures like the D4 because of the lower center of gravity and easier micro height adjustment (at least for me), but I have used my OF1010 on one, too. One of the reasons I kept my DW618 around after having both the OF1010 and OF1400 in my tool stable was for uses like this where a more compact tool was comfortable to use. There is absolutely ZERO chance I'd ever consider a big beast like the OF2200 for this kind of activity. The OF1400 is workable if you need to only have "just one" router as it's a great all-around tool, IMHO. I use it far more than my OF1010.

 

[Marcpaulsen]

Good morning, all.  Thank you for your recommendations.  Would a centering mandrel be helpful in getting the guide bushing concentric, or am I overthinking it?

 

[NiteWalkerGR]

Good morning, all.  Thank you for your recommendations.  Would a centering mandrel be helpful in getting the guide bushing concentric, or am I overthinking it?

You absolutely want one for any guide bushing work. IIRC, one came with my router kit (dewalt), or they're cheap enough on amazon.

 

[darita]

Good morning, all.  Thank you for your recommendations.  Would a centering mandrel be helpful in getting the guide bushing concentric, or am I overthinking it?

Centering the bits is always good, however I found that holding the router in a consistent orientation to be the most effective.

 

[rst]

I keep a fixed base PC890 dedicated to mine.

 

[krudawg]

Hello all and thank you in advance for your insight. We have an upcoming project that we will be purchasing a D4R dovetail jig for.  Which router would be better, the 1400, or the 2200?  I worry that the 2200 might be a tad cumbersome. Would we be wise to get the centering mandrel as well?  Cheers, -MP

I noted Peter Parfit of New Brit Workshop (youtube) has stated on numerous occasions that he prefers the OF1010 to the OF 1400 on the Leigh D4 jig

 

[jgrout]

Hello all and thank you in advance for your insight. We have an upcoming project that we will be purchasing a D4R dovetail jig for.  Which router would be better, the 1400, or the 2200?  I worry that the 2200 might be a tad cumbersome. Would we be wise to get the centering mandrel as well?  Cheers, -MP

Neither. the reason is simple, plunge routers move up and down, and when you need a consistent cut at a specified depth I would not suggest any plunge router. Yes you can set it and it might work but when you are doing dozens if not hundreds of repetitive cuts why set yourself for even one inconsistent cut. Find a good fixed router set it up and go to work.