dovetail Jig

I had the Shopfox unit that I found difficult at set up time and wound up buying this unit and have been very satisfied with the results and its use since. There are so many jigs out there, I think PC did a nice job making it user friendly, while not perfect it was much easier than at least the one of its competitor. I am sure there are many Shopfox users out there who are getting good results form theirs but I just prefer to use this one. The bit they use is not the standard 14 degree bit that is standard for the vast majority and it can be hard to find in a store. Not many stores near me sell Porter Cable bits (not even sure if they still make them) but Whiteside makes a great replacement that is their typical high end quality. I wish the major manufacturers would use standardized designs for accessories, the different base plate patterns, guide bushings etc. can be a pain. At least the PC style guide bushings are the most common. Please post some of your work that is done with this machine for updates. The Woodworking shows have PC/Delta demonstrations that are worth attending and you can make amazing things. There is an additional manual for advanced dovetail cutting on their website. Check out http://www.deltaportercable.com/jigs/dovetail/ for inlaid dovetails, angled dovetails etc.

I just purchased this jig and am attempting my first dovetail project. I am making blind dovetails and am able to get the jig set up EXCEPT that the completed dovetail has a very small space at the base of the tail…where it attempts to meet the base of the socket. I understand how to adjust for the tightness or looseness of the fit but am not sure about adjusting for this gap. Any suggestions?

By the way, I am building the dovetail work station that is available through PlansNow…and will post that when completed.

-- "Setbacks are just opportunities to re-think your position." DAVID OVERBAY, father of Andy Overbay

can you post a pic of the joint that your producing so I can understand it more clearly…Im thinking maybe one of your boards are over lappin now sure tho

-- christoper Blanchard, Michigan

If you got that at the sale price I think you got a great deal. I have looked at this unit locally and it looks to be a solid machine and is nicely finished.

I think that you can also get various templates for it.

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

Hi todd I purchased the 4210 ….the one that only comes with 1/2 blind templet …I paided 126.00 out the door so It was still a good deal and yes you can creatate varibale spacing dovetails requires a little more work but that’s just fine with me Its shown the the advanced manual that Jake posted for us ...”thanks Jake” was looking for it It will be a while before I can post some pics of any of my joints…Maybe this weekend clears up for me I will try to get some done as I am curious how I will do…..lol

-- christoper Blanchard, Michigan

Hello all, Jake Thanks so much for the posting of the Porter Cable web site. I learned more about my jig. I guess if I had read the instructions more, maybe I would have known about the added features. I have the 4212 model and have used it for a few projects. Now I want to use it again and try the other techniques I have just learned about.
Thanks Again !

-- How am I doing? Better than I deserve.

kkickback, I believe your thinking is on the mark. I am going to attempt to work with some scrap today and make sure that board allignment is accurate, seeing if that solves the problem.

-- "Setbacks are just opportunities to re-think your position." DAVID OVERBAY, father of Andy Overbay

+1 for the 4212.

I made a modified version of the stand as described in ShopNotes and demonstrated in the video blog at www.woodworkingonline.com It is so much more comfortable to use the jig with it up higher off the bench.

-- Don't sweat the petty things and don't pet the sweaty things.

I have 2 of the 4212’s set up side by side on a board that I set on my workbench. One of my products has through dove tail joints, so I use one for cutting the tails and the other for cutting the pins, with two routers as well. I found it took to much time to switch back and forth.

-- Life is to short to own an ugly boat.

I think I have finally managed to make the adjustments on my router and 4212 to get the blind dovetails right. This is my first experience with a router jig and I am a little blown away at how many of the adjustment variables have to be just right for everything to be in sync. I guess it is not surprising when you think about it, considering all of the 3D adjustments involved. I certainly understand the value of having multiple routers/jigs, with each set for a specific cut, when turning out multiple pieces. For those of us doing it occasionally and for limited pieces, the the adjustment times (and test pieces) just seem unavoidable. Sure is nice to get it right!

-- "Setbacks are just opportunities to re-think your position." DAVID OVERBAY, father of Andy Overbay

Yeah can you imagine what it would be like on a cheaper jig…lol all the fun you would have..

-- christoper Blanchard, Michigan

Thanks for your review.

-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop Southern Oregon

Your welcome hopfully it will help someone…! maybe this week I will get a change to play with the jig…

-- christoper Blanchard, Michigan

This has been a great dovetail jig for me. While it’s not ifinitely adjustable, but it does everything I need. The only recommendation I would make is to get the 4215 Miniature jig plate. It creates dovetails both through and half-blind and is basically half the size of the 4210 and 4212. It works espesially well with small drawers.

-- Carl Rast, Pelion, SC

Thanks for the examples, CedarFreakCarl. I just finished my dovetail jig workcenter for my PC 4212 and have posted it as a project. I am not the accomplished dovetail artist that many of you are yet but I am making progress. I am very pleased with the workcenter and would recommend that others consider it as a very useful accessory.

-- "Setbacks are just opportunities to re-think your position." DAVID OVERBAY, father of Andy Overbay