The differences between the Leigh and Festool dovetail jigs have been discussed before however some advancements to the Leigh D4R Pro with single pass half blinds have improved the speed and setup time. However, Festool is now selling the vs600 base unit for only 275$ (being discontinued in the US). I'm aware of the limitations and advantages to both. I still can't make a decision...so I'm going to let the FOG decide for me (please vote above) THANKS!
Which dovetail jig do you prefer?
- Thread starter hanshamm
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Jesse Cloud
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Hard to offer advice without knowing your applications. I have the VS600 and its all I need, wouldn't consider buying anything else. If variable spacing is important to you and you want to work in 1/2 stock, then you would want the Leigh...
Closet drawers immediately but I want the ability to experiment with different applications. I don't think 5/8" is a big deal over 1/2" so that's not a concern for me. Variable spacing is nice but if setup time is too long I won't use it (as much) unless i'm looking for that artsy look. I was ready to buy the Festool vs600 however after reading reviews it made me reconsider but a lot of people seem to like it as well. Fine Woodworking really shot it down
I own multiple Leigh jigs and love them all. The flexibility is unbeatable with the D4R. I've never used a VS600, but as far as I can see, there's no great difference between it and various other models like the Porter Cable, etc.
If you want to stamp out sturdy DTs in drawers of typical thickness without any variation, a basic model will cut it. If artistic impression and ability to work complex/compound angle joints, cradle joints, inlayed DTs, etc are important to you, and you can appreciate an instruction manual that the Gideons would pass out, Get the Leigh.
If you want to stamp out sturdy DTs in drawers of typical thickness without any variation, a basic model will cut it. If artistic impression and ability to work complex/compound angle joints, cradle joints, inlayed DTs, etc are important to you, and you can appreciate an instruction manual that the Gideons would pass out, Get the Leigh.
rnt80
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The one I prefer, the Akeda, isn't even on your radar. I have the 16" version and there's only been once or twice in the last 6 years that I would've needed something larger. With that said I made it work with what I had. While the Akeda doesn't have infinitely variable spacing (you work in 1/8" increments) it is very flexible and the joints it produces are superb. On top of that the customer service provided by the owner, Kevan, is top notch and on par with, if not better than, Festool's.
josephgewing
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You might want to look at the Akeda jig. It has variable spacing (at 1/8 inch intervals) and supports the router in a way that prevents tipping and ruined cuts. It has pretty good dust collection - if that is a concern. The instruction book is quite clear and good. The jig works well with various thicknesses of wood.
Joe
Joe
JustinHoffmann
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Is Akeda still having supply problems? I know that current owners love their Akeda jigs, but they've had a notice up on their website about temporary supply issues since Christmas of 2010. Admitedly I don't check more often than once a month, but I don't think they've had them in stock in the past six months.
ajones
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JustinHoffmann said:
This is a big mystery they are supplying trend with the European version so why there are problems in the states is beyond me.
I wish they could sort it out as it is a great product. and we could use the longer/wider version in the uk.
I have the Leigh Super 18 and use my 1400 on it. I have the vac attachment which supports the router and prevents tipping and provides pretty good dust collection. Variable spaced through and half blind, two sizes of box, sliding and single pass half blind.
I routed single pass half blinds in 1/2" thick prefinished birch ply drawer material. Sides were from 4" to 14" and there were 32 drawers in the project. Sanding was not possible so the joints had to be pretty clean as cut. It worked well on this difficult material.
It's not a DR4 but it's a pretty good jig.
I routed single pass half blinds in 1/2" thick prefinished birch ply drawer material. Sides were from 4" to 14" and there were 32 drawers in the project. Sanding was not possible so the joints had to be pretty clean as cut. It worked well on this difficult material.
It's not a DR4 but it's a pretty good jig.
James Watriss
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I own the D4... predecessor to the D4R. I picked it up at a pretty steep discount, and sat on it for a while, figuring that anything with so many moving parts and such a thick manual was going to take some time to understand. I've been a hand-tool, hand-cut DT kind of guy for years, so ignoring the Leigh was pretty easy to do. (Still is, I like cutting dovetails)
Turns out the manual is beyond clear, and it took about 20-30 minutes to get used to the thing.
Adjustability may seem like it's just adding more finicky adjustments. The joy of it is, you draw a line where you want the sockets cut, at about the spacing you want, and move the fingers to those positions. Doesn't have to be perfectly spaced. Just good enough. It looks better than a regular Porter-cable jig, for sure.
And it does a lot more, that I'm still playing with. It's hard to tell what's redundant with my other setups and what isn't. I have a feeling it's all good.
Can't speak to the Akeda, but I've heard stories about supply problems with them off and on for years.
if the thing that's really bugging you is the possible discontinuation factor, I think you should put that aside. There are plenty of good dovetail jigs out there.
Turns out the manual is beyond clear, and it took about 20-30 minutes to get used to the thing.
Adjustability may seem like it's just adding more finicky adjustments. The joy of it is, you draw a line where you want the sockets cut, at about the spacing you want, and move the fingers to those positions. Doesn't have to be perfectly spaced. Just good enough. It looks better than a regular Porter-cable jig, for sure.
And it does a lot more, that I'm still playing with. It's hard to tell what's redundant with my other setups and what isn't. I have a feeling it's all good.
Can't speak to the Akeda, but I've heard stories about supply problems with them off and on for years.
if the thing that's really bugging you is the possible discontinuation factor, I think you should put that aside. There are plenty of good dovetail jigs out there.
The Akeda has been praised on this and many other forums. The problem is that it has not been available for over a year. And there is no signs of availability in the near future.
I have tried to call and place an order. The best they could do was to record your wishes. And this was about 8 months ago.
So those of you have the jig hooray for you, but right now it is vaporware.
Vijay
I have tried to call and place an order. The best they could do was to record your wishes. And this was about 8 months ago.
So those of you have the jig hooray for you, but right now it is vaporware.
Vijay
Count me in on Leigh. I have the original D4, same as James. In addition to the regular dovetails you have the versatility of adding mortising, isoloc, finger joints, etc. Since Leigh is the standard, it is easy to add after market components from other suppliers. For example, I bought a beautiful set of bits made specifically for the Leigh jig from Highland Woodworking a few years ago.
The other thing about Leigh is that they support their products even after they have discontinued them. My jig is about 12 years old but just last year I was able to purchase the VRS that works perfectly on my D4. I am sure that if I needed replacement parts for the jig I would be able to get them.
Neill
The other thing about Leigh is that they support their products even after they have discontinued them. My jig is about 12 years old but just last year I was able to purchase the VRS that works perfectly on my D4. I am sure that if I needed replacement parts for the jig I would be able to get them.
Neill