Porter Cable Dovetail Jig

[Troy Cleckler]

Pardon me if this has been talked about, just joined and have been reading a lot but haven't found any threads on this one yet. Thinking about getting the Porter-Cable 4212 dovetail jig with the through dovetails template and extra straight bit. The one drawback that I have noticed is the use of a 7 degree bit instead of a 14 degree on half blind dovetails which is standard in most all dovetails. This produces a less defined dovetail when looking at them side by side and the tails are a little farther apart than other fixed jigs. That being said the fixture itself seems to be very well built and I really like the single locking leaver and it seems to be easily adjustable.

After all of that, my question being, is anyone using this jig and if so what are the PROS and CONS? With money being no object the Leigh jig would be in my shop. But unfortunately money is an object, so is this a good tool for the money?

[munruben]

Haven't had any experience with that particular jig but I am sure someone will be able to help you out. welcome to the forum.:2tsup:

[Barry_White]

Troy

There isn't a lot of Porter Cable gear in Australia. A lot of the members here are more into either the Leigh Jig or our home grown Gifkins Jig http://www.gifkins.com.au/

Then there are all the darksiders who hand cut all their dovetails.

[Big Shed]

Troy

There isn't a lot of Porter Cable gear in Australia. A lot of the members here are more into either the Leigh Jig or our home grown Gifkins Jig http://www.gifkins.com.au/

Then there are all the darksiders who hand cut all their dovetails.

Not forgetting the Incra jig of course......................

[Barry_White]

Not forgetting the Incra jig of course......................

Of course.

[Big Shed]

For the PorterCable type dovetail jigs you could have a look here (http://www.taunton.com/finewoodworking/ToolGuide/ToolGuidePDF.aspx?id=2575), or here (http://www.taunton.com/finewoodworking/ToolGuide/ToolGuidePDF.aspx?id=27140).

[Troy Cleckler]

Thanks Big Shed, I've seen and read a lot of reviews and can find very little negative about them. I've even put my hands on one that my nephew has and I'm going to buy his if I decide to get one. It's built very well and I like many of the features. The reason he is selling it is because he doesn't like the look of the tails or the spacing of them, they are a little farther apart then he likes it. He has only used it to make test cuts while setting it up and decided he like the more traditional look of the 14 degrees tails than this one. But it's a good price. I just wanted to know if anyone here has been using it to see how they like it.

[Tattooed Sinner]

I'm fairly new to woodworking and never attempted dovetails. I did just buy the Porter Cable 4212, and it just arrived yesterday. Haven't had a chance to use it yet, but it sure seems solidly built.

I'll post more after I actually use it.

[jakiiski]

You might want to check this link.

http://www.thewoodshop.20m.com/dovetail_jig_compare.htm

It's a nice list of Dovetail jig reviews.

- J

[Steve Clardy]

I've had the 4212 for about a year I guess. No problems except for the pc bits. They don't last very long.
Whiteside makes a better bit that lasts and cuts great.
I use this for drawer boxes in my cabinet shop.