Figuring out my Leigh Jig!

There is a learning curve required to master dovetail jigs. However, I think Leigh’s jig and manual are the easiest to conquer.

-- Rich, Cedar Rapids, IA - I'm a woodworker. I don't create beauty, I reveal it.

Yes Rich there is a learning curve, one I think I am finally well on my way to accomplishing. I found the videos really helpful.

-- "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

Yes. I was just going to mention the Videos. I haven’t bought one yet but I sent for their FREE 90 minute Video.

Talk about “No Stone Left Unturned” !!! GOOD STUFF! For that kind of money …LOL… it’s more than worth it!

Leighs Site it self is a wealth of Information!

In case other LJ’ers might be reading this Post and would like to send for the Video or View their site, the Link is HERE.

Enjoy: Rick

-- ENJOY YOURSELVES GUYS!!!

Notusing perfectly square wood for the setup on the older Leigh jigs and for cutting joints on all of them (and any other doevetail jig) has been the biggest problem I have seen. Once we get folks using truely square ends, the joints come out way better. I sort of “taught” myself this when I got my first Leigh. It is very accurate and if you tell it to cut a joint in a somewhat crooked piece of wood, it will!
Have fun! Now that you got over the beginnners stuff it is going to be fun.

-- Tom Hintz, www.newwoodworker.com

Many years ago I took a course on how to use the Leigh jig.
One of the most important tips was to polish the fingers smooth just like the plate of a planer or the back of a chisel.

Lee

-- No piece is cut too short. It was meant for a smaller project.

Great! I have always heard great things about Leigh jigs. I see them on CL every now and then but I think it is from woodworkers retiring or from would be wood workers who prefer the mall or a beach.

-- Jerry Nettrour, San Antonio, www.topqualitycabinets.net

I have heard other LJ’s polish their jig fingers…what is the consensus here? Does it help or not?

-- "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

Polish the tops and bottoms or inside edges where the guides ride?

-- Michael Murphy, Woodland, CA.

Congrats…you will enjoy using it for sure now that you have figured it out.

-- Wayne - Plymouth MN

Well I got my bathroom vanity drawers planed down. Now they are ready for dovetailing! Looks like I’ll have time to work on it on Wednesday, I’ll try and post some pictures of the progress

-- "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

i have an liegh D4 it about 10 years old and it still works best for me ,and if i ever get stuck on something i can use the manal that came with the d4 unit . i can’t use the video it came in vhs caset and i only have dvd players in my house . and leigh had also bultens on there site that is a big help.

how ever i do have a question i never used a E bushing and don’t understand the concepit about it is that a diffents.

-- kayakdude

Don’t know about polishing the fingers, have never done that, but I do wax the bottom of the router base plate and rub a bit over the jig fingers when I begin. what a difference!

-- Randy "You are judged as much by the questions you ask as the answers you give..."

Hey kayak dude, I’d have to look up the E bushing thing as I’ve not used the jig in a while.

jusfine I did wax both the fingers and the router plate…well worth the effort.

-- "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