Well you asked for pictures…of my shop and the assembly of my Leigh D4R jig today. I used the Dewalt planer and the Grizzly jointer for the first time today to create the 6×37 x 3/4 board to mount the D4R.
The next photo is showing Leigh D4R jig clamped to rolling work bench/assembly table. The Dewalt planer is also bolted to the table. When in use this table DOES NOT vibrate at all. Very heavy table…and there is wood and tool storage below.
The next picture shows the attachment bolts…there are four of them.
This next picture is of what can only be described as a very funky nut tightener provided by Leigh….sigh.
The two left assembly bolts attached.
The right bolt assemblies for the Leigh D4R jig.
The last right bolt….also showing the clamp on the rolling assembly table.
Both right bolts installed ready for the bar assemblies…
work table with Dewalt planer and assembly continuing of Leigh jig….the jig with the bars attached…
D4R ready for final assembly…
final assembly completed of Leigh D4R jig….great instructions from them I might add. They were very simple to follow and I have alot of attachments for it as well….looking forward to using it in the next several days to make a simple box.
final assembly…ready for use…
And that’s it for now….much progress in the last week on my shop. My bandsaw is working, the jointer, the planer, my router, my Leigh jig…the drill press…and all the other little tools here and there. Everything ready for some good wood. I’m going to be building a couple of boxes soon….and some toy boxes for my grandkids…which should be fun to make. I think I’m ready. My projects column to be filled soon.
-- /\/\/\ BarryW /\/\/\ Stay so busy you don't have time to die.
7 comments so far
Sawdust2
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1467 posts in 2257 days
#1 posted 1884 days ago
Hmmm. Things are now happening faster in your shop.
Good times coming.
Lee
-- No piece is cut too short. It was meant for a smaller project.
Scott Bryan
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27262 posts in 1991 days
#2 posted 1884 days ago
Woo hoo, Barry.
Even I am feeling the excitement. Putting in new tools always creates an adrenaline rush. Nice post on the dovetail jig installation. I would like to see more of these. It lets us all share in the excitement.
You are going to have a lot of fun with all the new toys to “play” with.
Thanks for the post.
-- Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful- Joshua Marine
dustynewt
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628 posts in 2031 days
#3 posted 1884 days ago
Great post, Barry. I have never used a Leigh jig before and may be interested in getting one in the future. It looks well made and the projects I have seen done with it are pretty awesome. I need a few other things first though.
Have fun with your project list and please keep us informed.
-- Peace in Wood ~ http://www.etsy.com/shop/DustyNewt
Jimthecarver
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1049 posts in 1955 days
#4 posted 1884 days ago
Barry- I also bought the D4R, actually about a year and a half ago. I have not used it yet but would love to learn how to use it. I really like the extra templets that can be purchased but the price seems a bit more than I can afford right now. Good luck and I look forward to seeing the end results of this fine new jig!
-- Can't never could do anything, to try is to advance.
BarryW
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1013 posts in 2076 days
#5 posted 1883 days ago
Yes the D4R is spendy. The only thing I bought extra was the vacuum/support assembly…and the plate to make box joints…and I agree…the bucks invested have to pay off. I’ve got alot invested in my shop equipment and while I’m not a business…yet…I have to find ways to get some return on my investment. I’m not certain that one can make a living as a one guy shop anymore….oh sure, a few guys do and can…the TV guys, and some of the great, highly-trained and self-taught craftsmen. who’ve built a reputation over the years for innovation and quality. But does the world want the kind of quality we’re interested in? One buys a D4R to make quality quicker. It’s admittedly a cheat, in a sense. The purists want quality and handwork…the industrialists/business folk want quality faster and faster. I don’t know where I fit yet…if I fit at all anywhere. But I liked the D4R for it’s perceived quality and capability. Not having used it yet, well, I’ll know soon enough now that it’s together. For me, it’s a bit late in life to think I could make a living at it…so the return on investment may just be a combination of personal satisfaction and the little coin I might scrounge up to repay the piper or buy newer equipment. I’m still in a dream state, I should think, about what the future holds. In any event, the D4R seems to be quality. Since I’m still learning, and at the end of my abilities to invest much more in my shop…I hope to get a great deal of use out of it.
-- /\/\/\ BarryW /\/\/\ Stay so busy you don't have time to die.
GaryK
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10263 posts in 2157 days
#6 posted 1883 days ago
The first thing I did when I got mine was to build a box with no top or bottom to put the jog on.
I set it one it’s side to raise the jig off the table and to store things under it.
Thru dovetails held it together.
-- Gary - Never pass up the opportunity to make a mistake look like you planned it that way - Tyler, TX
Mark Shymanski
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3966 posts in 1882 days
#7 posted 1435 days ago
Now that I am in the market for one of these I really, really, really appreciate this post. Thanks for the detail!
Its this kind of information that is the true value of belonging to LJs!
-- "Checking for square? what madness is this! The cabinet is square because I will it to be so!" Jeremy Greiner LJ Topic#20953 2011 Feb 2
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