LumberJocks Woodworking Forum banner

dovetail jig

Tags
joining
3K views 19 replies 12 participants last post by  AJswoodshop 
#1 ·
dovetail jig

Im planning on getting a dovetail jig soon. Ive looked at the porter cable 12' dovetail jig up to the rockler dovetail jig which one would you guys get.
 
#3 ·
Can't really speak about the Rockler one because I have the PC 12". It's well made easy to set up. Plenty of nice to have's (depth gauges for your router bits) and even a center slot to make sliding dovetails. Porter Cable has been around for a lot of years and make pretty reliable products. Rockler has a fine line of tools and hardware.
Maybe someone else could compare the two for you. I don't think you could go wrong with the PC. Good luck in your research on which to buy.

While I was writing someone suggested stumpy nubs jig. He's got nice plans, you should check them out.

Ken
 
#4 ·
well i love rockler but in this case the Porter cable wins hands down it is just a better machine but if you want the best router dovetail jig buy a woodrat it out classes everything and second place goes to the leigh I have used all of these machines for several years and they all are good quality but if your budget has you to the rockler and the pc get the pc
 
#5 ·
I second what geoscann said just build the StumpyNubs "Amazing Dovetail Machine". Here's a link to StumpyNubs jig. I was really impressed with stumpy's dovetail jig design. It has all the features found on high end Leigh dovetail jigs or the top of the line from PorterCable.

thedude50 is right, although I don't own one the Woodrat and the RouterBoss are incredible tools. Check out this RouterBoss video if you'd like to see it in use.
 
#6 ·
I own the Porter Cable and like it pretty well. I think it's a good value for the construction and design. The stumpynubs unit looks interesting if you're up to the task. The high end Porter Cable or Leigh would of course give you full flexibility but at a steep cost. I choose the competitive Porter Cable which soon allowed me to get a good set of chisels, dovetail saw, and marking gauge so I could hand cut dovetails that weren't optimal (or possible) on the PC. Just my two cents.
 
#9 ·
Most dovetail jigs work about the same and are fairly good. If you plan on making a lot of drawers then a jig would be useful. I purchased two dovetail jigs in the last 14 years and never used them. Last project I made had 6 drawers and I ended up doing them by hand. Not that difficult and very satisfying.
 
#13 ·
559 please do not support the router boss it is simply a rip off of the original woodrat the guy was a trusted insider in the woodrat camp and had insider information and basicly ripped off the whole design and improvments from a very kind and nice man and has ran him down telling people bad lies about martin things that would piss you off so please dont support the thief what he did was wrong and the design of his machine is not as well done as the wr900 or 600
 
#14 ·
I've had the Akeda DC16 for about 6 or 7 years, and I love it. They stopped making that particular model a few years ago, and replaced it with a larger (ie 24" width) model, the BC24. It is not nearly as common as the Leigh or Omnijig, but it is another awesome contender in in the premium dovetail jig market. It's worth a look if you looking to go top of the line. Otherwise, if you're looking to keep it relatively modest, I'd probably get the Rockler.
 
#18 ·
Contratulations! I think you made a wise decision. Woodsmith.com has a video showing you how to use the jig. I don't have the exact link but go there and then to their videos and you will find it. I know I always do better watching videos than reading directions. Good luck with your new jig

Ken
 
#19 ·
I am glad you went with the PC the use has a bit of a curve but there are several videos online a real good one if you pm me ill send you a copy I paid for and will share it was very good and one reason I decided to do an evaluation on this jig
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top