What's the most practical way to mechanise dovetails?

[shed9]

As the title says, I'm looking to invest in a decent system to cut dovetails. I already have an Incra setup and it's great for small scale but anything of decent size and it struggles.

My initial thought was that the Leigh D4R was the clear way forward, however I've been looking at the Router Boss today and now I'm not so sure. The other functions on the Router Boss seem to push it ahead but the dovetail process does not look half as simple as the D4R. I'm aware of the Wood Rat in the UK but to be honest the quality of the Router Boss seems to be higher.

Any advise on the best machine or even an alternative. My budget is around £700 ($1100) of which the top end Router Boss and the D4R full package fall within.

Any help appreciated.

 

[wrightwoodwork]

I haven't used the wood rat or router boss. I have looked at the youtube vids of it. The thing that appeals to me about the router boss is that, I think you can use narrower dovetail bits which give the appearance of hand cut dovetails. Personally I would go for the router boss as I feel it gives more options

 

[shed9]

I haven't used the wood rat or router boss. I have looked at the youtube vids of it. The thing that appeals to me about the router boss is that, I think you can use narrower dovetail bits which give the appearance of hand cut dovetails. Personally I would go for the router boss as I feel it gives more options

This is kind of where I'm leaning at the moment. Never thought about the possibility of a wider ranger of cutters.

 

[jmbfestool]

CNC  [tongue]

 

[wrightwoodwork]

I know that dick tools in germany do the training courses on using the wood rat. Not sure if there is any courses in the uk

 

[Sjur]

Call me old fashioned, but I would say old dovetailing machines are the best way to make dovetails. Sure, the more modern dovetailing machines might be good - perhaps even better, but I bet they don't come cheap.

I have a dovetail machine that I have yet to use, but that's because I'm currently restoring it. I presume setup takes a little time, but once that's done, it's rock'n'roll!

The one I have operates under the same principle of a dovetail jig, only that the router is fixed to the machine. My dovetailer machine have templates that you can insert, which makes for many different and unique joints. Here is an article on a dovetailing machine, sort of like mine: http://woodgears.ca/machinery/dovetailer.html

The fastest way to make dovetail joints is probably a multi-spindle dovetailer machine, such as a beast like this:

Mine is a single spindle machine, but that in turn gives more customization.

 

[rst]

I have the Leigh DR-4 and it works great for dovetails and finger joints, be sure to buy the extension with vac accessory. 

 

[dltflt]

Call me old fashioned, but I would say old dovetailing machines are the most efficient ways to make dovetails. Sure, the more modern dovetailing machines might be good aswell, but I bet they don't come cheap.

I have a dovetail machine that I have yet to use, but that's because I'm currently restoring it. I would presume setup takes a little time, but once that's done, it's rock'n'roll!

The one I have operates under the same principle of a dovetail jig, only that the router is fixed to the machine. My dovetailer machine have templates that you can insert, which makes for many different and unique joints. Here is an article on a dovetailing machine, sort of like mine: http://woodgears.ca/machinery/dovetailer.html

The fastest way to make dovetail joints is probably a multi-spindle dovetailer machine, such as a beast like this:

Mine is a single spindle, but that in turn gives more customization.

I saw that machine in Silver Dollar City once, thought it was pretty slick.

 

[thisoldworkshop.com]

First off the router boss is a copy of the woodrat and is full of gimmicks you don't need the original woodrat is the best system if you would like to talk about the system and the difference the woodrat has over the router boss call me 559 790 6295  I am on California time but I stay up late till ten or eleven most nights one of the best parts of the rat is it gives a hand cut look with the ease of a machine.

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

Dodds dovetailer.

 

[Stone Message]

For the home workshop and small professional enterprise the Leigh D4 takes a lot of beating. I made two videos about it when I was making the walnut pedestal desk. Here are the links:

Part 1:


Part 2:


Peter

 

[JLB builders LLC]

I used the Leigh D4 at a friends shop to build  drawers with cabinet grade 1/2" plywood. It allowed me to put a scrap behind the work piece so I didn't have any blow out. I like how you can make the dove tails in any random size

It is on my router section list  Along with a router table.

 

[shed9]

Sorry for the delay in getting back to this thread. Been away and offline. It never occurred to me the actual industrial dovetailing machines, clearly the better approach but way off my budget. As for the Wood Rat thisoldworkshop, I appreciate it was the predecessor to the Router Boss and is probably a superb machine but after all my research it appears the Router Boss has the edge - I even found quite a few people selling the Rat to get the Boss. Really appreciate the offer to discuss but I know I'm not going on that route.

Jmbfestool, I already have a CNC project, a 4x8 vertical setup. about 80% complete but I know I won't get round to finishing it in line with my own requirements - just never happens.

Peter I watched your D4R videos and this was initially the info that made me look further, sure I knew of the jig but your video explained a lot.

I'm kind of torn now, I want a decent machine to do dovetails and the D4R is a clear winner but the Router is also a clearly competent machine and allows for a lot more functions - that said I don't want to sacrifice easy dovetails in the pursuit of a 'jack of all trades' machine.

I've found a good price in the UK for a full D4R Pro package with the jig, dust extractor, router support and 1 12 piece bit selection for around £600 (about $960 US). I can probably get the Router Boss with shipping for about £700(ish) but this doesn't include import duties.

 

[Stone Message]

Sorry for the delay in getting back to this thread. Been away and offline. It never occurred to me the actual industrial dovetailing machines, clearly the better approach but way off my budget. As for the Wood Rat thisoldworkshop, I appreciate it was the predecessor to the Router Boss and is probably a superb machine but after all my research it appears the Router Boss has the edge - I even found quite a few people selling the Rat to get the Boss. Really appreciate the offer to discuss but I know I'm not going on that route.

Jmbfestool, I already have a CNC project, a 4x8 vertical setup. about 80% complete but I know I won't get round to finishing it in line with my own requirements - just never happens.

Peter I watched your D4R videos and this was initially the info that made me look further, sure I knew of the jig but your video explained a lot.

I'm kind of torn now, I want a decent machine to do dovetails and the D4R is a clear winner but the Router is also a clearly competent machine and allows for a lot more functions - that said I don't want to sacrifice easy dovetails in the pursuit of a 'jack of all trades' machine.

I've found a good price in the UK for a full D4R Pro package with the jig, dust extractor, router support and 1 12 piece bit selection for around £600 (about $960 US). I can probably get the Router Boss with shipping for about £700(ish) but this doesn't include import duties.

I did a visit to The Woodworkers' Workshop near Malvern recently and they sell the Router Boss. As they are not so far from the Welsh border you might be within  striking distance. I am sure that they would be delighted to demonstrate it for you as Peter Sefton uses it in his furniture making school there. You would need to arrange an appointment to visit.

Here is the link:

http://woodworkersworkshop.co.uk/epages/eshop814530.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/eshop814530/Categories/Routing/Router_Boss

I hope that this helps.

Peter

 

[shed9]

I did a visit to The Woodworkers' Workshop near Malvern recently and they sell the Router Boss. As they are not so far from the Welsh border you might be within  striking distance. I am sure that they would be delighted to demonstrate it for you as Peter Sefton uses it in his furniture making school there. You would need to arrange an appointment to visit.

Here is the link:

http://woodworkersworkshop.co.uk/epages/eshop814530.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/eshop814530/Categories/Routing/Router_Boss

I hope that this helps.

Peter

Peter that is a superb suggestion. I've bought from Peter Sefton in the past and his service is spot on. Also, my wife is an ex-Malvern college girl and has family and friends in the surrounding area, perfect excuse to go and have a look. I've always considered having a look at the school anyhow. Just got to see if I can wedge into my schedule.

Thanks for the suggestion  [smile]

 

[Sjur]

It never occurred to me the actual industrial dovetailing machines, clearly the better approach but way off my budget.

I've found a good price in the UK for a full D4R Pro package with the jig, dust extractor, router support and 1 12 piece bit selection for around £600 (about $960 US). I can probably get the Router Boss with shipping for about £700(ish) but this doesn't include import duties.

I don't know the how expensive the industrial woodworking equipment are in the UK, but I paid about £500 for my machine, including like 25 router bits (made from Leitz, the same manufacturer that makes the festool circular saw blades) and with high quality wheels. I know I said I was restoring it, but it was in fully working condition when I bought it. I just like my machines pretty The prices in Norway for industrial equipment is usually way more expensive than in the USA. Perhaps this helps you if you know the prices in the USA compared to the UK.

One suggestion I have is to put up an ad saying you're looking to buy an industrial dovetailer machine. Let them know you don't have much to pay them. Perhaps someone just wants to get rid of their machine because they need space, and might aswell give it away, or for a small symbolic fee. Of course, if everything fails, you can go for the options said earlier, such as the RB/D4R.

 

[crsowa]

I use an AKEDA, but near impossible to get nowadays...

 

[benwheeler]

For the home workshop and small professional enterprise the Leigh D4 takes a lot of beating. I made two videos about it when I was making the walnut pedestal desk. Here are the links:

Thanks for those fantastic videos, Peter. I've been wondering if those jigs are for me, and I think you've sold me.

By the bye, why do you need those spacer blocks between the jig fingers?

 

[Stone Message]

For the home workshop and small professional enterprise the Leigh D4 takes a lot of beating. I made two videos about it when I was making the walnut pedestal desk. Here are the links:

Thanks for those fantastic videos, Peter. I've been wondering if those jigs are for me, and I think you've sold me.

By the bye, why do you need those spacer blocks between the jig fingers?

Hi Ben

Well done.

The spacer blocks are there to stop the router going between the fingers when making the large spaced joints.

Peter

 

[Loren Woirhaye]

You may be able to acquire a used Brookman or similar machine if you want something real fast.

Otherwise, have you considered the band saw?

Try it out.  It's not as fast as a dovetailer but the possibilities are interesting and once you're set up for band saw dovetailing it lends itself to bigger jobs like sets of same-depth drawers.