Using the Leigh D4R

Interesting video.
I am curious to know if you have had any problems with silicone lube comming off on your wood and interfering with you finish?
Also wonder why you don’t set the outside pins first then space the inside ones for esthetics?

Bob

-- A mind, like a home, is furnished by its owner

Hey John – You can embed the video player right into your entries. Copy and past the embed code instead of the URL address.

-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://americancraftsmanworkshop.com

Bob…first of all…I haven’t had any problems with tha brand of silicone. I use it on all my tools… I also give all wood a finish sand before finishing so I would think that would remove it anyway.

Second, I usually set the inside pins and tails to make it looked less machined. The keg surround worked out good that way…these little dawers are only 3 inches wide so I didn’t want to fool with the size too much…this way I was able to more pins and tails… I will post pics of the finished product when I get done.

Todd… I know you can put them in…can you embed multiple vids or not?? There are going to be at least …. if it can be done, I will put them all up here. Any info on that would be helpful

Thanks,

Grub

-- Science Teacher by Day, Wood Butcher by Night!!

I have the D4 on a shelf in my shop (picked it up cheap 2nd hand but new condition) I have to admit I haven’t used it but a few times cause I just never got the nack. Hope your videos will help. Thanks for posting

-- DocK, WV

I don’t recall who told me this, but when I first purchased mine someone told me to “break it in”. I took some 600 grit sandpaper on a rubber sanding block and went over all the fingers. I then wiped it clean and waxed everything really good with Johnsons Paste Wax. The screws are a little finicky. You only need to loosen them 1/4 – 1/2 turn. But then push them down and you will hear a little “snap”. The fingers will slide very easy then. The problem with silicone is once it is present, you can not get rid of it, you can only move it. A body shop guy once told me that it is the worst nightmare you can imagine when it comes to painting a vehicle. I would imagine the same thing goes if you get in on wood. However if you sand it, it would probably be carried away in the sawdust. Like I stated earlier, you can’t get rid of it, but you can move it.

-- NorthWoodsMan

Grub – I meant to ask…. did you set up both ends of the jig in your video? And if so, for what purpose? By the way, nice job on the video!

-- NorthWoodsMan

i hope this helps with my jig, i have a hard time getting the HB dovetails to come out right for some reason.

-- Ike, Big Daddies Woodshop, http://www.icombadaniels@yahoo.com

I do set up both ends!! The reason, if you are making variably spaced DT’s…in order to make sure that they fit perfect, they must be 100% symmetrical…You can measure them out to be perfect our you can just cut on both sides…That makes perfect fit everytime and you also cut 2 pieces at once, the opposite sides.

Ike, maybe this is the problem…The new videos are uploading now…

Northwoodsman, thanks for the tip…I will try it tomorrow.

-- Science Teacher by Day, Wood Butcher by Night!!

Todd, thanks for putting it in my head that I could get em on here…This tuturoial is all done…I hope it helps…I really like using this thing…

I will apologize for rambling…Its hard to think about what your going to say as you are trying to remember what to do next.

WARNING!! No pieces of wood were destroyed in the making of this movie.

Thanks,

Grub

-- Science Teacher by Day, Wood Butcher by Night!!

This is a great post Grub. Nice job on the videos. I too have the old Leigh D4. I got mine when Woodworkers Warehouse (remember them) went out of business. I used it with great success on several dressers and night stands I have made. Does anyone know if you can attach the dust collector to the D4? Many woodworkers, including myself, are more concerned about dust issues these days and as you mentioned several times in the video, a lot is thrown when cutting dovetails. Thanks. Update: I just found Leigh’s website and they do sell a vacuum attachment for the D4.

-- On the eighth day God was back in His woodworking shop! Lenny, East Providence, RI

Thats good news Lenny. The dust collection is not perfect, but it is very good.

By the way, I love your bandsaw…I just ordered mine from Woodcraft and I will be picking it up very soon…Its a beauty.

Grub

-- Science Teacher by Day, Wood Butcher by Night!!

Thanks Grub. I am very satisfied with the bandsaw. It came highly recommended and gets great reviews in magazines and here on LJ. As others have said, get a good blade for it. I got a Timberwolf and am happy with its performance. I hear the wood slicer blade is about the best but you pay for it. Also, if you don’t already know this, you should loosen the tension each day you finish with the tool. The problem with that is you have to remember to reset it before using the tool. Scroll down to the comments section of this recent review post to see how I try to deal with this issue: “Rikon” http://lumberjocks.com/reviews/1276#comment-609190. One last thing, that same post reminded me that I never removed the shield they put at the dust collection port. If you want good dust removal, you might want to consider removing it on yours. Good luck with yours and enjoy!

-- On the eighth day God was back in His woodworking shop! Lenny, East Providence, RI

I appreciate the info Lenny…I will be paying very close attention to that thread once I get everything set up.

Grub

-- Science Teacher by Day, Wood Butcher by Night!!