Dovetail Jig Recommendations

[Thomas Pender]

I am also an Akeda fan. I think its dust collection is the best and in combination with a clear base I got from Pat Warner for my 1617 Bosch, and extra bits from Woodcraft, it works sweet. I did not pay that much for it, but sometimes saving money means more labor and headache. Maybe you could try and buy one off of Craig's list or the classified here?

[Dave Novak]

I have exaqctly 9 drawers of experience with dovetails, all half blind. The fact that all 9 drawers came out perfect is testament to the idiot-proof ness of the incra jig.

[Gene E Miller]

Greetings & Salutations,

+1 for the Akeda.

Got mine on eBay with all the accessories for less than $300 including the shipping.

Very short learning curve was making thru dovetails in cherry hardwood in less than 30 minutes.

Never had a minutes regret that I spent the money.

Gene

[kevin a jones]

Lowes has the PC4210 on clearance at some stores for ~$80. And you can get a $20 mail in rebate from PC. You can get the form on Amazon if you search for a PC4210. For a specific project not a bad option.

Thanks for the heads up on the rebate! I purchased this last week on the Lowes clearance to use for some drawers. I thought 80$ was great but 60$ is even better! Thanks!

[Eric Garner]

The Akeda looks pretty sweet. It seems to provide the versatility without the setup time and manual study that the Leigh would require. Only downside for me is the price. Not sure I can afford it right now. I really need to decide if I can make the investment. It seems like a jig that would provide me the speed I'm looking for now as well as custom looking dovetails for 'finer' work down the road.

My kitchen cabinets will have false fronts so through dovetails will be fine for this project. So, if I go cheap, I'm leaning toward the Keller. It seems like it would be the fastest choice because the jig uses bearing based bits and no guide bushings.

One follow up question. What size shank do the other jigs call for? Keller 1601 and lower use 1/4" bits. It looks like Akeda also has 1/4" shanks. Is 1/4" standard for Dovetail jigs?

[chet jamio]

Does the Akeda allow for variable width pins like the D4R? Or is the pin spacing fixed like the Super Jigs?

[Bill Jepson]

I have an old PC 24" Omnijig and love it. Built like a tank, lifting it is my only complaint. So sturdy it will take a minor cup out of softwood when clamping. Carefull setup will make your first through dovetail successful. Even came with a USEFUL video.
Bill J (Yet another!)

[Mark Carlson]

The Akeda looks pretty sweet. It seems to provide the versatility without the setup time and manual study that the Leigh would require. Only downside for me is the price. Not sure I can afford it right now. I really need to decide if I can make the investment. It seems like a jig that would provide me the speed I'm looking for now as well as custom looking dovetails for 'finer' work down the road.

My kitchen cabinets will have false fronts so through dovetails will be fine for this project. So, if I go cheap, I'm leaning toward the Keller. It seems like it would be the fastest choice because the jig uses bearing based bits and no guide bushings.

One follow up question. What size shank do the other jigs call for? Keller 1601 and lower use 1/4" bits. It looks like Akeda also has 1/4" shanks. Is 1/4" standard for Dovetail jigs?

Akeda bits are now 8mm. The Whiteside versions are still 1/4. My Keller 2200 came with a 3/8 in shank with an adaptor for 1/2.

~mark

[John Keeton]

Eric, did you get my PM on the Keller? Just checking.

[Brent Leonard]

I have the PC 4210.
Although I just recently found the "extra/special" techniques manual online, I found the 4210's half blind joints looked, VERY MACHINED, non-custom & mass production. They did fit well and were very quick once everything is set up and you learn the jig. Certainly there is a time and place for production DT's. Kitchen cabinets, etc.... and that may be all you desire.

In retrospect I think I would have preferred a jig that could produce the typical "production" looking HB joints, yet also handle custom looking DT's also, as I build fine furniture pieces for enjoyment.

Apparently you can create some very custom looking joints with the 4200 series jig.... according to the "special" manual. I look forward to playing with those techniques!!

If you opt for the 4200, get the 4212. You'll be ahead $$ in the long run rather than buying the 4210, then adding the $70 through dovetail template later.

[Mark A Johnson]

This is a debate could go on for eternity. I started with the PC 4212, only using it for a short time. Then I decided to part upgrade to the new Leigh Super 16. I spent almost a month playing with the Leigh, and could never make a joint that I was happy with. Since Woodcraft is very good on customer service I was able to return it. This time I went back to PC, buying the new version of the Omni Jig. It did not take very long to produce a quality joint.

My local Woodcraft does have a 1 day class to teach people how to setup and use the Leigh. That tells me user are having trouble using the Leigh. The key with the Leigh is to keep very detailed notes of setting. The PC has the adjustable pods, once they are set, it on to joint making, not tracing back through notes trying to refigure what setting you used last.

[Charles Robertson]

Jim said it all. I also have the Akeda 24". Did all of the research. Read all of the reviews. This was to be my first quality dovetail machine. Also spoke to Kevin Lear who asked me more questions about my shop and where I live than I did about his machine. No regrets about my choice. It's a good example of you get what you pay for. If you choose the Akeda, I know you'll be happy. If you choose one of the other quality jigs, I think you may also be happy because the one you use is the one you are familiar with and you will get good results. All in all, I believe the Akeda is very reasonable for a complete ready to go jig. QUESTION, after 50+ drawers and boxes, diferent materials and demensions, do you think I like my Akeda? Good luck with your choice. Al

[Jim Rimmer]

I wish I had found SMC and read this thread before I bought my DT jig. I bought the Rockler jig. It works great and is easy to learn but uses proprietary bits. I would probably have sprung for the PC 4212 if I had it to do over.

[John Lucas]

Sorry to be so tardy in responding to this thread. Dovetail jigs are a favorite subject of mine. I have used and reiewed every jig mentioned and several that were not.
Here is a "Dovetail Jig Shootout" I assembled: http://www.woodshopdemos.com/dtshoot-1.htm


And my all time favorite woodshop assistant:

[Michael Koch]

I have two jigs that I use. I have the Leigh 24 and it is great. You have to keep very good records, so setup is easy and it can be very accurate. For half blinds, I purchased a Wood River half blind jig from Woodcraft. The directions are a bit scetchy, but after you get the setup fine tuned, it works great. For making quick drawers the half blind jig is quick and easy. MK