Thread: Leigh Dovetailer

There are many threads in the forums relating to these jigs. I purchased the Gifkins at the Brisbane woodworking show and out of the box got terrific results. Would never attempt dovetail joints before but this makes it easy. As you pointed out the Gifkins doesn't do through dovetails but this can be overcome by facing the front part of the piece you don't want showing, with plain front on it, if you know what I mean.
The Leigh demo video clips on the Leigh site are very informative and one day maybe I will purchase a Leigh.

[QUOTE=Yawally;570575] Gifkin jig which can't do through dovetails QUOTE]

I guess you (and Munruben) mean "can only do through dovetails".
The Gifkins is a first class jig and Australian made by an absolute gentleman.
It is promoted as "the boxmakers' jig" and would be first choice for that.
But, yes, it does not have the versatility of the Leigh jig which is now a cheaper option.
Some have said that the Leigh is fiddly or slow to set up, but I haven't found that. Like riding a bicycle, once you have done it, it just comes naturally.
And if you are using the jig for something you do rarely the manual is excellent.

Originally Posted by Yawally

Seems to me that the recent price drop in the leigh D4 dovetail jig makes this a great buy when compared to the price of a Gifkin jig which can't do through dovetails. I was just wondering what others think. For me it now becomes a much more affordable system to buy.

Hi Yawally,

I too am looking at the Gifkins, but have been thinking lately about the Leigh. How much is the D4, and where can you still purchase them from? A quick look around the usual shop sites showed they only now sell the D4R for $651 (or is this the price drop people are referring to?).

Cheers,
Nathan.

The Carbatec Father's Day catalogue has the following prices for the Leigh dovetail jigs:

- 16" $407
- 24" $651

I paid well over $800 when I bought the 24" version, so the saving is great.

I also have the Gifkins DT jig and agree it's best for boxes.

Only once have I used any where near the full width of the Leigh jig, so unless you are making blanket boxes full-time, I reckon the 16" version would suit most people.

Off to Carbatec Melb tomorrow and will check out the other specials.

Jeff

Greetings - I'm in British Columbia home of the Leigh Jig and where I use my D4. Just want to remind you that Leigh is releasing it's new lower priced line of jigs - may want to go to their website before making a decision.

As usual I always seem to buy at the wrong time. I have the Leigh D4 and the dovetail jig is a breeze to use. The MT jig, the mortises were spot on but I have trouble with the tenons. The Finger Joint jig is easy to use but I now cut the finger joints on the TS with a dado blade. After a while you can't remember how much they cost just how good they work.
les

Originally Posted by jefferson

.

Only once have I used any where near the full width of the Leigh jig,
Jeff

I've taken advantage of the width of the D4 when making banks of drawers. Set up for one width on the LH end and another width on the RH. Speeds up the job a little. Of course, unless they were very deep drawers, you would also do this on the D1600.

And on one job making 225mm deep boxes to sit side-by-side I cut mirror image dovetails in the one setup. Don't think I could have done this on this on the D1600

I have the Leigh D4 jig and it's everything I could ask for. The manual and video are very informative and easy to follow. One important thing to remember when comparing jigs, the D4/D4R jigs are the only ones with fully adjustable fingers. If you check out the D1600 or the new ones, they do not have that feature. If you look at a picture and examine the fingers closely, you'll see what I'm talking about.

Paul

[quote=Wizened of Oz;570638]

Originally Posted by Yawally

Gifkin jig which can't do through dovetails QUOTE]

I guess you (and Munruben) mean "can only do through dovetails

Oops, slip of the tongue, of course, it should have read "can only do through dovetails"
Sorry about that.

Thanks people for your comments. I certainly do not mean to critize the Gifkin jig or Mr Gifkin because I think he has one of the best demonstrations going at the woodshows. I was just thinking of the cost factor with the latest price of $650 for the D4 which can do half blind as well as through dovetail joints. When you buy the whole shebang for the Gifkin it is not far off $900. The leigh D4 seems to offer greater versatility. And yes I meant to say earlier that it can do through but not half blind dovetails.

Originally Posted by hcbph

I have the Leigh D4 jig and it's everything I could ask for. The manual and video are very informative and easy to follow. One important thing to remember when comparing jigs, the D4/D4R jigs are the only ones with fully adjustable fingers. If you check out the D1600 or the new ones, they do not have that feature. If you look at a picture and examine the fingers closely, you'll see what I'm talking about.

Erm, I don't know what you mean by "fully adjustable", but my D1600 has enough adjustments for me! If you mean that you can move each finger to change the width between tails (doves?!), then the beast labeled D1600, sitting on my bench at home (unless some bustard's been upto tricks ) does it. If not, I'd be happy to know what the D4 can do that the D1600 can't, except for the extra width...

Rob

What is meant by the fully adjustable fingers, - the D1600 can have variable tail widths and spacing. The D4R can have what the D1600 has and also variable pin sizes. I know there is a way to do this with the D1600 but it is rather fiddly when looking at the technical doc on the Leigh website. Thus the D4R does the variable pin sizes out of the box so to speak.
I know (I think ) - I just purchased the D4R after demonstrating the D1600 for CT at the Perth wood show.
Regards
Les

One thing to consider when purchasing a Leigh Dovetail jig (apart from the price) is the availability. I have waited over 2 months for the delivery of mine ordered and paid for at the Sydney WWW Show. (That seems so long ago!).

I can only assume that more orders were taken at the Adelaide WWW Show. My outstanding order would be honoured before any new orders of course.

Carry Pine

Originally Posted by lesmeyer

What is meant by the fully adjustable fingers, - the D1600 can have variable tail widths and spacing. The D4R can have what the D1600 has and also variable pin sizes. I know there is a way to do this with the D1600 but it is rather fiddly when looking at the technical doc on the Leigh website. Thus the D4R does the variable pin sizes out of the box so to speak.
I know (I think ) - I just purchased the D4R after demonstrating the D1600 for CT at the Perth wood show.
Regards
Les

Thanks Les. I found this which shows the D1600 can't do variable pin sizing, but is otherwise almost the same. It's also useful in that it compares the new Super 12, 18 and 24 jigs.

Cheers
Rob