Leigh Dovetail Jig

**STAR** · 15th February 2008, 09:35 AM

A group I am involved with have purchased a Leigh Dovetail Jig, which one member is setting up now.

I expect initially, there will be a great interest in it and everybody will want to have a go at it. My question at this time is based along these lines.

' Feed a man a fish and you have fed him for day.

teach him how to fish, and he will eat forever."

Now, what I meant by that is, because I will eventually get a crack at this treasure rather then make some dovetail drawers for a learning curve, how useful has one found a home made dovetail jig and would one be able to be made by this Leigh Jig.

if so, I could do my own dovetailing at home for many workshop projects like drawers for the three work tables I have and a few mobile work stations I intend to build for my thicknesser. Am I on the right tract and if so, would a home made dovetail jig be worth the effort and would a Leigh Jig do a better job of making these workshop jigs.

We have trained instructors, so , I would not be using the Leigh Jig and might even have to have my hands behind my back like a kid in a lolly shop. Basically what I am saying, because this jig is here is their any advantage in my thinking.

ps. The beauty of this Leigh Jig is when I have a special project, like the Kitchen Island then I will have the opportunity to do the dovetails with it but not to hog it for the other workshop projects.

**Cruzi** · 15th February 2008, 11:24 AM

A group I am involved with have purchased a Leigh Dovetail Jig, which one member is setting up now

Those buggers have a lot of money, unlike thier poorer-over-the-border cousins.
It's essential that they spend the money to buy the bits sets ($170 odd for 1600 and $355 odd for all of the ones for the D4), the bits supplied are limiting.

The "instructors" will also have to learn how to use it.

Answers on Leigh Jigs can be found in forum http://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com...splay.php?f=88.

Personally experience with Leigh (D1600 & D4): versatile but with a steep learning curve
But there is little it cannot do.
Gifkins: "easy as" to use after a little setting up, cannot be beaten for simplicity but pays for it with limited application.
Chinese Generic Half Blind jigs; to quote Bart Simpson "Ï didn't think it was possible but this both sucks and blows"
Homemade Jigs: good luck.
Handcut Dovetails: nice if you have the time to both learn, perfect and actually do them.

**mat** · 15th February 2008, 12:42 PM

Star

Not sure what you mean by making a homemade dovetail jig with a leigh jig. This is not what Leigh jigs are for.

There a cheap dovetail jigs (chinese) that produce half blind dovetails only. A current example on ebay

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/WOOD-DOVETAIL...QQcmdZViewItem

**STAR** · 15th February 2008, 12:53 PM

Mat.

I do not know what i mean except the benefits of a home made jig and could the leigh Jig or any shop bought jig help in forming better dovetails for your pattern.

**Tex B** · 15th February 2008, 01:30 PM

Star, I wouldn't bother trying to make a dovetail jig. You can get a basic one for not much money.

One of the big advantages of the Leigh is that you can adjust the pins and tails to suit your project. With the basic jigs, you need to adjust the size of your project for the jig, or you end up with tails on the edges instead of a half pin.

I'd suggest you learn how to use the Leigh, and then decide.

Tex

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