Woodrat

[John Saxton]

Sometime back there was a posting for an enquiry into the Woodrat Jig an English devised jig for producing wood joints not available in Oz as I understand it but available from New Zealand and from thru the agency of Jacks a WW machinery distibuter.I made some enquiries as we're intending a to trip the light fantastic over the the 'long white cloud'The current price is NZ$1332 which is a lot of bucks for an untried at least within this forum! http://ubb.ubeaut.com.au/ubb/rolleyes.gif
I have two spare brochures only, that I would be willing to post to anyone should they require the info.
There is a good review of these in a recent router mag but for my money they don't come anywhere the Leigh http://ubb.ubeaut.com.au/ubb/cool.gif


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Johnno

[Shane Watson]

I managed to get hold of the video they produce to promote there product.
To be honest after seeing the video I definitly wouldn't spend the money required. In my opinon for what its worth, For an expensive piece of machinery the process involved in setting up and using seems all to slap happy. Somthing you would expect a cheap jig to require but not an expensive jig like this. Of course it all looked simply in the hands of the designer and manufacture, but in the hands of a novice, I'm not so sure.
Anyway, thats just my opinon.

Cheers



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Shane Watson..

Combine Love & Skill & You Can Expect A Masterpiece!

[John Saxton]

Yeah I'm with you there Shane,and quite frankly I don't think it will measure up my Leigh Jig and at almost twice the price.The offer still stands for anyone wanting the brochures even just for the curious! http://ubb.ubeaut.com.au/ubb/tongue.gif
Cheers

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Johnno

[RobHowarth]

You guys have both sung the praises of your Leigh jigs. As I am currently in the market for a jointing jig of some kind I was wondering which you think is better, the Leigh or the Incra. And, why.
Cheers.

[Iain]

Not one of the guys in question but realise that the incra is a precision positioning tool and the Leigh is a jig. Both are excellent but my choice would be towards a Leigh as I prefer a jig, however, if you wish to do other things such as precision routing, cuts etc Incra could be the better tool. To hell with it, go and get both, I'm sure you would be happy. Its a hard decision to make and I'm sure you will get the response you are looking for when people tell you what they do with the tool. I still like the Leigh and I am currently working on a way to slip one home with a false receipt to mollify the Bearer of the Big Stick.

[Shane Watson]

Actually, I don't have a Leigh Jig. To be honest I am not a big fan on these jigs. But thats my opinon. I would much rather do the joints by hand. But in saying all that I am going to contradict myself and tell you that I do have one of those cheapy dovetail jigs. Not sure of the brand, probably don't even have a brand, but anyway it has only ever been used about three times. Took hours to setup and I was never 100% happy with the finished joint... Sure it looked great when it was demonstrated, but dosn't everything http://ubb.ubeaut.com.au/ubb/biggrin.gif

Rob, if its what you want, do your homework and be happy with your investment. I believe the quality of these Leigh Jigs is high and I have heard nothing but praise for them, so they can't be all that bad...

Like I said above, for the price the Woodrat is not an option. And I also feel that for the price you should be getting a much better piece of equipment, I mean you should get your hands on the video and watch this guy operate it...It looks great - but for that price??? It should do everything for you ( you shouldn't be expected to line things up off a pencil mark you have to mark! )

Anyway, just my opinon as usual http://ubb.ubeaut.com.au/ubb/smile.gif

Cheers



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Shane Watson..

Combine Love & Skill & You Can Expect A Masterpiece!

[John Saxton]

Rob,I cannot make a comparison of the Leigh as opposed to the Incra as I only have the Leigh but in so saying that, I opted for the Leigh for it's versatility and ability to give a wide range of joints while employing the router as a means of achieving this.

In saying that I by no means denigrate the Incra as both are quality instruments that are designed to do accurate well fitting joints.

Both have incremental adjustment that enable you to range your cuts,the Leigh has a very good manual that get's to the nitty-gritty but needs thorough attention and one needs to keep this in mind when first trying out the Jig.

The Leigh has the ability to give varying angled dovetail and size joints which I don't think the Incra can do to the same extent.(but don't quote me)

There are a number of router bits employed with the Leigh some with 14%(DEGREES)some with 8%(degrees) giving some joints a pleasing look by varying the cutters at your disposal.

I guess the downside of the Leigh is the range of cutters available for the finger,dovetail,through-mortise,and iso-loc joints and this can be an expensive choice if you are optioned to the maximum not to mention the individual templates required!

Finally whilst I aspire to cutting joints by hand and I have a range of small handsaws that will make a clean and fine cut there is nothing to replace the incredible router if you have to cut half a dozen boxe's for joints.There is Mik International in Adelaide that are the Oz agents for Leigh and Carba-Tec with outlets invarious cities that deal with the Incra-Jig,Leigh have a home page for info at [URL=http://www.leighjigs.com]www.leighjigs.com[/URL ]
I suppose when all is said and done if you get a chance to get these both demonstrated then and only then can you ,make a decision and finally on a budgetry choice.

Cheers http://ubb.ubeaut.com.au/ubb/smile.gif

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Johnno

[This message has been edited by John Saxton (edited 28 August 2000).]

[RobHowarth]

Thanks for your responses guys. I recently visited the wood show here in Perth and saw both the Incra and the Leigh demonstrated. I was very impressed with both, but, as always, must choose which one to invest my hard earned cash on. I am tending toward the Incra (Despite the $600+ price tag) as I can use it as a precision fence on my table and band saws as well as a jointing jig.
I guess I was copping out and hoping someone would make the decision for me.
Cheers.