Which Dovetail Jig AKEDA OR LEIGH???

[CPeter James]

I have the Akeda. I bought it because I only wanted to do things that were under 16" in width. If I was going to do wider things, the the D$ would have to be the one to look at, except, check out the NEW PC Omni Jig coming out soon. I also understand the Akeda is going to make a 24" jig. The Akeda is easy to use and versatile and between the D1600 and the Akeda, I'd go with the Akeda again. Price wise, to get into the bigger jigs you are looking at $500 to $700 with all the bits and accessories. The Akeda with all the goodies is on sale for $400.

CPeter

[Robert Strasser]

I own the Akeda and Keller jigs and used to own a Leigh. Keller only does through dovetails. I use the Keller upside down on my router table. It does not get any easier than with a Keller. Downside is no flexibility in spacing. You have to design your project around the jig. The Akeda has worked for me. I have no problems making good joints. I like the Akeda because of how it supports the router and good dust collection. With jigs like the Leigh, you have to be a little careful and not tip the router. I found the working position a little hard on my back. However, Leigh is coming out with a fix to the tipping and thrown in dust colllection at the same time. Leigh calls it the Leigh Vacuum and Router Support. (See http://www.leighjigs.com/vrs.php) I used to own a Leigh Jig. I have nothing against it, but I just did't use all it's capabilities. The Leigh did not meet my "limited" uses. The Akeda is just faster to set up and use. I usually do one test cut which comes out good at least 90 percent of the time.

In summay, you should try to identify how you plan to use the jig. If you are like me, that is pretty hard to do. I was new to dovetails when I bought my Leigh. If maximum flexibility (spacing, location and fit) is foremost, then the Leigh is the way to go. But with anything that gives you maximum flexibility you pay with set up time and complexity. I'm not saying it is the most complex thing you'll ever use, but it is more complex than the Akeda, and the simple Keller. If you follow the outstanding Leigh manual, you can't go wrong. The manual will even teach you quite a bit about dovetails. After the Leigh manual, I found the Akeda manual quite limited. Fortunately, the Leigh tought me enough about dovetails so I could follow the simplistic Akeda instructions.

I think I rambled a bit here. But I like all the jigs. The Leigh sounds more inviting to me now with the new vacuum and support accessory. The Leigh system is not cheap, but the manual, equipment, and a first rate company (IMO) for support makes it worth it to me. If you go with the Akeda, add the cost of the Whiteside bits made for the Akeda. I've found them to be much better and longer lasting.

[Eric Wong]

I'm pretty familiar with the Akeda, not as much with the Leigh. The Akeda has some strongpoints, but the Leigh is generally considered to be the gold standard. Here's my take, in no particular order.

1. The Akeda gives full support to the router, since the bit rides between two rails. However, I think Leigh just came out with an add-on for extra router support.

2. The Akeda is a little cheaper to start, but when you add in the extra stuff you need to cut any kind of dovetail in any thickness workpiece, it ends up being about the same as the Leigh.

3. The Akeda only comes in a 16" wide model, the Leigh is 24". Akeda originally planned to come out with wider models, but we haven't seen them yet.

4. Dust collection is much better on the Akeda, but you need the DC kit which is sold separately. Leigh has a DC solution, but its still not as good as the Akeda.

5. The Leigh has a steeper learning curve, perhaps because the Akeda manual is so well done. But it also may have to do with the engineering. The Akeda is designed so there are almost no adjustments that need to be made. However, you have to have bits that are specifically made for the jig. I don't know if any major bit manufacturers are making bits or if you have to buy them from Akeda.

6. The Akeda is a little easier to perform one-handed clamping of a workpiece.

7. The Leigh has infinitely adjustable spacing, the Akeda is limited to spacing in 1/8" increments. Pretty close, but advantage to Leigh.

I think I would buy the Akeda if it came in a 24" model. Right now I hand cut really ugly dovetails.

[Ken Waag]

Tom,

No doubt both are great machines ,so your decision will be based on which features matter most to you.

I own the Akeda and have not used the Leigh, just so you know where I'm coming from.

I think the Leigh has more flexibility, but along with that goes some added complexity. The Akeda manual is idiot proof and I knocked out a dozen drawers the first time out without so much as an adjustment.

I have not had to get the manual back out since, which to me is one benchmark of a good product. If you have to constantly refer to the manual, the product needs to be redesigned.

The DC on the Akeda is excellent, a big deal to me as too much dust and my sinuses go nuts.

Enjoy whichever you choose!
Ken

[Tom Cowie]

Hi Tom

I have the Leigh Jig (D4) also ( 6yrs now). The jig is very versital and is only limited by my imagination. I learn something new every time that I use it.
the manual is very specific and explains procedures very well. You can make beautiful dovetails with this jig.

Dislikes would be price and assembly. Was'nt hard to put together I just thought that something that cost that much shouldn't have to be assembled.

You will get frustrated if you try to take this jig to the max right out of the box, there is a learning curve. Must read the manual and keep it handy..

I heard great things about the Akeda but I have no experience with it..

Tom

[Robert Strasser]

5. The Leigh has a steeper learning curve, perhaps because the Akeda manual is so well done. But it also may have to do with the engineering. The Akeda is designed so there are almost no adjustments that need to be made. However, you have to have bits that are specifically made for the jig. I don't know if any major bit manufacturers are making bits or if you have to buy them from Akeda.

Whiteside has been making Akeda bits for some time. They are much better than the bits that comes with the Akeda jig.

[Mark Valsi]

I LIKE THE AKEDA !!

haven't used; the Leigh, but the AKEDA is very easy to use as stated above.

[Eric Wong]

Whiteside has been making Akeda bits for some time. They are much better than the bits that comes with the Akeda jig.

Good to know, thanks!

[Paul Johnstone]

I agree that it's a good idea to check out the jointech and incra router table fence solutions for dovetails. They are useful for other purposes too.
For example, there's the built in dust collection on the router table fence, and they are both such nice fences..

[Tom McCann]

Thank you everyone for all the great feedback. Now I just have to decide on how much flexibilty I will want

Thanks again

[Craig D Peltier]

Issue 175 March -Wood magazine (has blanket chest on front). Has a very thorough test on 10 dovetail jigs.Found it very helpful.

[Jim Becker]

Both the Akeda and Leigh offerings are top notch. Akeda potentially has slightly easier setup due to the way the fingers are held, but the Leigh is easier to provide exact spacing and arrangements if you are particular about scale and proportion. There will soon be a "new kid on the block" to compete with these two from PC...it will be interesting to see the reviews and comparisons once it's available. In the mean time, I feel that the Leigh has the best tool manual in the business...something that all tool companies could learn from.

[Tom McCann]

I want to Thank everyone for there advice. I ended up with the D1600 even got the 10% off at woodworkers.

It will fit my needs well

Thanks again

[Randy Acton]

I use the leigh jig (use might be a bad word as it collects more dust than anything). I've found that practice with handcuts has proved to be a better option.

I don't use dovetails all that often but now that I am proficient at handcutting I can whip out a couple drawers in less time than it takes to dust off the leigh and get it set up. And I must say that the handcuts are much more visually appealing.

[Ed Gibbons]

Good jig. I also like the instructional DVD that came with it.

Tools still come down to a preference. Most do the job.