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Harbor Freight Dovetail jig

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83K views 55 replies 34 participants last post by  aktreker  
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
Harbor Freight - Dovetail Machine Item # 34102 (Rating: 3)

I have been wanting to get a dovetail jig for sometime now. I was up against a brick wall however. Do I fork over the bucks for a Porter Cable jig or do I buy a cheaper jig and see if it does the job for less money. I have tried this type of approach many times with many tools. Most of the time I have went on to pay for the better quality tool as well as the cheaper tool that did not work. This is not one of those times.
I paid the $23 for the Harbor Freight Dovetail jig and it works pretty well. I also bought the Ridgid router bushing set for $40 at the home depot.
I have to say that when and if you buy this jig throw the instructions away and go to this link. http://edge.woodstockint.com/manuals/d2796_m.pdf
These are much better instructions for the jig. The original manual said to use a 1/2" bushing with the jig. It actually needs a 7/16" bushing.
After reading through the correct set of instructions, I set up the jig like they said and the half blind dovetails fit…..loosely. I shimmed the bushing with a few wraps of masking tape and EUREKA….Big beautiful half blind dovetails!!
If you are willing to spend the money for a porter cable, I am sure it would work better, quicker, and easier. However, having talked to people that have used these jigs there is still some trial and error involved. I will likely buy one when I have more fun tickets in the wallet but for right now this jig works great.
I can only give this product 3 stars because I have never used another one and have nothing to compare it to. For me it works great and was worth the $23 I paid for it.
Thanks for reading and I hope this helps someone.
Tim.

UPDATE
After more tinkering with settings on day#2 with the jig I extended the bit out a little more and removed the masking tape shim. Perfect half blind dovetails that actually set on the halfway mark of the face board. It helps to read the directions further. WAY TO GO NEWBIE!!!
Also, whatever bushing set you use, if you have to mount a new baseplate on your router be sure it is centered. After reading about the issues with these types of jigs, I found that a major factor is the centering of the new bushing baseplate. Do not take for granted that the holes you drill using the template are centered. I wound up drilling 2 sets of holes for my plate. The ones that were marked on the template the set came with using the cheap horrible bit provided, and the correct ones I made off of the original baseplate that were dead on center.
 

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#5 · (Edited by Moderator)
Based on the problems or issues you said you had when first using the jig it sounds like the same problems I had when I first used my Leigh dovetail jig. I watched demo videos, and read just about every page of the instructions and I still had to play with it for hours before I got my dovetails to fit right. Once I spent the time and a ton of practice later I finally got it figured out. I think with these jigs it all boils down to just getting the hang of it. After that they all do pretty much the same thing.
 
#9 · (Edited by Moderator)
Thanks for the suggestion on the link to the instructions. I have had one of these jigs for a few years now. After several attempts to figure things out from the ridiculous instructions that came with it, I gave up and put it on the shelf and it hasn't been used since. Maybe with these instructions, I can give it a try again with better success this time.
 
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#10 · (Edited by Moderator)
Thanks for the feedback everyone. I was apprehensive about putting this review on here because before I tried this jig the words "Harbor Freight" and "Dovetail Jig" should not have meant anything good. I was proven wrong so I figured you guys should know about it.
I did forget to mention I am using a 1/2" 14 degree dovetail bit.
 
#11 · (Edited by Moderator)
thanks for the serious review. this jig, and other cheap ones of similar design, are often given terrible reviews. I'm sure the instructions are crappy, but that doesn't mean the problem is with the hardware. there is the nice instructions that you linked, as well as a pretty comprehensive one put out by POrter Cable.

if I recall correctly, a couple big problems that people did have with hardware involved:
1) wood slipping in the clamps because the cams aren't strong enough and the plastic will break if you force it.
2) the plastic template that you route around deflects because it is thin and weak.

could you address these issues?
 
#12 · (Edited by Moderator)
Thanks for the review Tim. I am glad you posted this. Please don't hesitate to post any findings on an off brand tool. An expensive tool with a an extensive warranty is one that I assume will work well and I can always take it back if it don't. Professional reviews on those types of items are pretty easy to find. However, there are cheap tools out there that I get curious if anyone tried with good or great success and reviews on those items are harder to come by.

Just a few comments to add to your very detailed review. The link to the instructions you provided is excellent and I have a printout of the same set of instructions. This jig is exactly the same as the one offered by Grizzly and Rockler (for a few more pennies). There is math and setup involved when using the jig. There is a formula based on the size of your router plate. You did the math, you worked on the setup, you used flat boards, and you got nice results. All are crucial or the jig will not work well. Dovetail jigs are not designed as "no brainers" where you just slap the boards in, make your cuts, and everything is perfect.

Also, I have noticed an error in assembly on some of these models at the factory. On the model I purchased (and have seen on a few in other people's shops) the handle assembly was put on backwards. This caused the handle to tighten on the boards by pulling it towards the router template instead of away from it. When the handle goes toward the template, you do not have the proper clearance to cut the dovetails. The fix is pretty simple, there are knobs that hold the assembly together. Unscrew them, turn the assembly and screw the knobs back on. If anyone has this problem, shoot me a line and I will put together a little tutorial on fixing the issue.

Thanks again Tim, great review!

David
 
#13 · (Edited by Moderator)
Aaronk:
On issue 1: When you look at the round black metal pieces where the handles attach, you will see 4 gray round pieces (both top and bottom handles). These are made of plastic and I can see where people could have a problem after lots of use with the clamps too tight. I have not had any of these issues yet but I have only had the jig 3 days as of 7/27. No slipping yet but time will tell.
On issue 2: The template is made of metal so no flexing or brittleness. I have however read a review where a person bought the same jig from a different store and the template was bent slightly. Bent slightly on dovetails=off horribly. If this happened I am pretty sure a person could just take the jig back and get another if so inclined.
I hope this helps and thank you for reading.
 
M
#17 · (Edited by Moderator)
I picked this one up tonight based on this review. I wasn't going to buy one, but, I saw it in Harbor Freight this afternoon on sale for $22.99. I always carry a 20% coupon in my wallet, so I walked out paying $18.39 plus tax. Woodstock International makes some different sized templates for use with this, so I'm hoping to find a local distributor to pick up a few different sizes.

I haven't been turned down using this coupon that has no restrictions on printing. Here is a link for one that is good until August 20th.

http://www.retailmenot.com/view/harborfreight.com
 
#21 · (Edited by Moderator)
David, "
There is a formula based on the size of your router plate. You did the math, you worked on the setup, you used flat boards, and you got nice results. All are crucial or the jig will not work well. Dovetail jigs are not designed as "no brainers" where you just slap the boards in, make your cuts, and everything is perfect.

Can you please explain this,I never had or used one of this jig, what are you talking about?
Thank you.
Bert
 
#22 · (Edited by Moderator)
Bert,

If you click on the first pic you will notice two clamps. One clamp holds a board horizontally, one holds the board vertically. These dovetail jigs allow you to create half blinds on two mating pieces. The horizontal clamp also works as a type of stop for your router plate, so there is a formula that is in the instructions that detail how far away to move the horizontal clamp so that you have a proper cut. The formula is based on the size of your router plate. I have heard some complaints about this style dovetail jig but I think part of the problem is that the formula was not followed and test cuts were not performed to make sure the project came out proper.

Some jigs are more user friendly than others, but all require a little work to make sure the settings are correct.

I hope this clarifies a little.

David
 
#24 · (Edited by Moderator)
Wow, David, I had no idea that the clamping assembly could be reversed! Never occurred to me to try. I've only had a chance to use mine once, but I found myself unscrewing and removing the lever repeatedly to get it out of the way of the router. It was rather annoying. I successfully reversed my clamp assembly tonight. It's going to save me some grief if I ever get around to using the thing again!
 
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