Dovetails: Leigh vs Omni-Jig vs Incra

[Tom Overthere]

It took me FOREVER to get back to this thread. Not because I'm so busy, but because I've been afraid to return. I figured there'd be TONS of solid information/advice going in all different directions. I was right.

I also figured the advice would force me to launch a big-time research project (crusade, really) to try to sort it all out, as it pertains to my work habits / skills / budget. Again, I was right...and oh, my aching head.

With so many diverse, well-defended perspectives it's not easy figuring which expensive system to buy (and considering the ultimate costs, I expect I'll live with my choice for a long, long time).



Thanks to you all. I read and benefitted from every comment, and I have to say this thread has EVERYTHING(!) in it:


So which DT jig will I buy? It'll be the Leigh D4R or maybe the PC Omni 24". And I hope to find an Incra 17" LS at a good price for use on the router table.

CHIP LINDLEY, you're right, .0001" is one-TEN-thousandth of an inch. Justa a typo (maybe a wishful typo).

AL NAVAS, you make a helluva good case for Leigh (and your shop is beautiful). Thanks for making such a thoughtful post. I visited your Sandal Wood site and enjoyed your Changing Table project very much. I also looked around the Leigh site - galleries, inlaid DTs and vids. Yep, you're right.

JIM KOUNTZ, who'd imagine I'd learn to do better Google research here at a woodworking forum. Thanks.

DAN LEMKIN, you're a lucky man. Thanks for the glimpse into a life well lived.

ROBERT PARRISH, thanks for cluing me in to the AKEDA jig. Never heard of it before. Spent an hour or so last week studying up online, and will definitely look some more before I pull the trigger.

VINCE SHRIVER > JOHN LUCAS, thanks for introducing me to WoodshopDemos.com. John, I'm recently divorced, and when I figure out where you're located, I'M MOVING THERE ! I never saw attractive women involved in woodworking before (might lose a finger or two with such distractions, though...)

PAUL JOHNSTONE, thanks, but due to my lack of knowledge re. DT joinery, I'll have to stick with the well-established options.

KEN MILHINCH, I sure appreciate somebody trying to help me save money, but in the long run, I think being able to adjust spacing will be a real benefit to me.

GREG COLE, I'm determined not to put a RT in my TS extension. I'm sick of having to knock down one set-up so I can prep the next operation. I want to keep everything separate as much as possible - put machines on rollers and wheel out what I need, already set up. Ahhhhhh.

CHARLES ROBERTSON, rock on! You know the old saying, "Beware the man who owns a single gun" (as he's very familiar with it). I take your point about the repeatability benefits of the Akeda. Gonna have to take another look at that...

DAN BERTENTHAL, thanks for the rundown on Leigh limitations. I always like to know what isn't so great when making important decisions. I will probably buy D4R (or Omni or Akeda) so hope to avoid some of the specific limiations you mention. Thanks.

DAVID MOODY, it's people like you who make a lot of extra work for people like me. I was all ready to start searching Craig's List (per Jim's technique) for a D4R deal, and now I have to spend several more nights learning online about the OmniJig (and the Akeda, too, actually). I knew coming back to this thread meant trouble! of course I'm just kidding with you

JIM ELLER, what I said about Charles Robertson (see above)

JACOB MAC, I know the Incra can provide the same accuracy as my milling machine (for metal) does. I'm just thinking it'll be a lot easier to work large wood pieces in one of the dedicated DT jigs. The Icra LS 17" fence will be FANTASTIC on the router table for lots of uses, though - including specialized DTs if needed. Thanks.

If I failed to reply to anyone, I apologize. You guys are extremely helpful, and assure you I carefully read every word of your posts. THANKS very much, and I'll let you know what I end up with - or maybe I'll have to come back here and ask even MORE questions before I can decide...

[Paul Murphy]

Hi Tom, looks like you asked the right questions, and got some great answers!

I have had the Leigh 24" jig (D-1258R back then) for over 15 years. I still remember one difficulty the manual mentioned in passing, and that was the need to get the guide bushing accurately centered around the router bit. Essential, but how??? Took me a while to track that down!

Well, various companies make a cone that ends in a shaft chucked into the router, which will then center the guide bushing about the shaft/cone. A variation is some bushings have a shaft machined to the I.D. of a specific guide bushing (a specialty item).

Anyhow, this drove me nuts because the manual at the time didn't really address HOW to center the guide bushing, and any error in concentricity can result in twice as much mating error. This applies to almost any jig or operation referencing opposite sides of the router guide bushing (or base plate).

I do like the Leigh for many reasons, one being that it adapts to different wood thicknesses and joint layouts. Good luck with your choice!

http://www.woodcraft.com/product.aspx?ProductID=147853&FamilyID=20151

http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=2&p=32316&cat=1,180,42311,42321

http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=18895&filter=router%20centering

http://woodhaven.com/ProductDetail.asp?Id=2264

http://www.ptreeusa.com/routerAcc.htm
No.2908

http://www.jaspertools.com/productsdetail.cfm?SKU=Model375&prod=Model-735%20Centering%20Pin&cat=Centering%20Pin

[Tom Overthere]

Thanks, Paul.

I might have overlooked that important consideration entirely. I appreciate your help in avoiding "mystery gaps" in my dovetailing learning curve.

And thanks very much for including the clarifying links.

The centering pin at this link seems like the best approach for me:
http://www.ptreeusa.com/routerAcc.htm No.2908