Thread: Does anyone use a Leigh FMT or SuperFMT jig?

Originally Posted by graemecarson

I am seriously considering spending some of my tax return money on a Leigh FMT or Super FMT jig. Can anyone share their experiences with either one? I have had a peep at the display ones at Carbatec and watched everything I can find on the "Tube" but would like to hear some genuine real life reviews from foum folk if anyone can spare the time.
Cheers.

I have the FMT and I love it. I get nice firm mortice and tenon joints that fit so snug I can assemble my work without glue to see if it all sits right before I glue up. It requires a little time invested in reading the manual and test settings with each bit with the guides but after that I have got almost perfect mortice and tenons straight out the box. I've now got a dedcated router that is set up for it and a number of upcut bits for different size mortices and tenons. It's a bit expensive but is a solid well made set up that in my opinion does what it says if you learn how to use it right. To me its the best investment in mortice and tenon I have made but if you have little use for it it's a big investment just to make a few joints. And yes I can do Mortice and Tenons by hand that fit well.

SB

Hi Graeme,

I bought a Leigh FMT about 6 years ago, when they first arrived. I wanted to make M&T joints for a set of 8 dining chairs. As SB says, a bit of time learning (only hours really) and I was able to make all the joints for the chairs in quite quick time. Snug joints too. These included angled and large and small tenons.
I bought a Domino soon after the FMT however and haven't used that now. But the FMT is such a quality piece of kit and a joy to use, so I have no intention of selling it.
One thing, if you have a Router that can take them, 8mm shanks are the way to go for the upcut bits. Use Leigh or you can get 8mm shanks from Festool at competitive prices. An 8mm collet reducer or collet itself isn't overly expensive and you will notice the difference in cuts.

Regards,

Rob

AND
the D4 bits are on special at the moment
https://www.woodworkforums.com/f11/le...l-bits-156061/
Cheers
Wolffie

Thanks SB, Rob &Wolffie, I really appreciate your responses. Unfortunately Wolffie, the D4 set doesn't have any of the spiral up cut bits for either of the FMT's.
I have just checked my bank account and the ATO have been super efficient and the munny is in "ler bonk" so can now get serious. I'm not sure whether the extra $500 for the FMT Pro is worth it or not. The Super FMT certainly appears more fiddly and less precise than the Pro but every review I have read or viewed seems to suggest the results are just as good and precise. Anyone care to comment?

Cheers all.

Graeme,
I can'r really comment on the differences between the two, but I will say that in my experience, if you can afford the extra, you generally find that you're covered for techniques you didn't plan on when you first bought the unit. Also, it tends to give you the flexibility to incorporate new joining methods into your projects. Sometimes allowing you to perform "tricks" you couldn't do otherwise.

Regards,

Rob

D'oh. I was talking dovetails, not mortise and tenon. I have both the D4 and the FMT Pro, that's my excuse and I am sticking to it
I chose the big one after much humming and harping.
I am glad I did, it is not just that it is bigger, it is more solid and has better clamps etc.
A big jig can do small jobs, however, a small jig cannot do big jobs.
In my opinion, it is worth the money.
I wonder whether I would ever be able to do the super small job in the manual
Mortise and tenon in matches

Cheers
Wolffie

I also have the D4R and what was then the FMT, which is now the FMT Pro I believe. I made a bench for them both, using..wait for it...Dominoes! It's made of Douglas Fir, Red Gum and American Black Walnut.
Here's some pics

Rob

I use 2 old bedroom chest of drawers with a new top attached.
24 drawers for tools, sweet.
Cheers
Wolffie

Hi Rob, Wolffie,
Thanks again for your input. I will definitely go for the Prp FMT if the dollars hold out. Looked at the Domino but to me it is just like a biscuit joiner but very flash and very expensive. I have no doubt it is a magnificent machine, but not for me at this time. If I win the lottery....
Rob, had a quick peep at your website - damn fine indeed - and I can see that the Domino would be extremely useful. I' m a mere hobbyist until I retire so have been putting together a collection of woodworking machinery and tools over about 6 years to cater for the years ahead. Most of it gets rare use at present but I have leave at present so am "researching" new equipment.

Wolffie, I note your paradise has an unforgettable address for those who remember the big blows of recent years. Are you a survivor or are you a more recent discoverer of that particular paradise?

Again thanks heaps to all for your help. I have ordered the free DVD from Lee Valley so I can spend some time really getting to know what the whole range of Leigh jigs do.

Cheers.

Well done and thanks Graeme.
I hope all goes well. I don't believe you will be disappointed. I said that I had done some large tenons using the FMT. Here's some photos of wide tenons and of a 9 degree tenon, from the front and the top. The large tenons are about 100mm wide. The 9 degree is about 50mm wide from memory.

Regards,Rob

Originally Posted by graemecarson

Wolffie, I note your paradise has an unforgettable address for those who remember the big blows of recent years. Are you a survivor or are you a more recent discoverer of that particular paradise?

Again thanks heaps to all for your help. I have ordered the free DVD from Lee Valley so I can spend some time really getting to know what the whole range of Leigh jigs do.

Cheers.

I guess you can call us survivors
We have been here since 99 so experienced Larry and YASI, we came here just after RomaI.
Larry wasn't too bad but we lost everything we owned in YASI.
We now have a new house (not a home as yet) and a new workshop)
Still love living here though but not quite sure I can handle another one.
I'll have cyclones over bushfires any time, tried those down in SA.
Cheers
Wolffie

Well I did it!
I am now (as of last Thursday 02/08/2012) the proud owner of a Leigh FMT Pro and have a much lighter wallet. Decided to bite the bullet and get the best I could almost afford. I have taken it out of the box, made a base and installed the Hitachi M12. And that's it to date. I am trying to finish a retaining wall, the associated drainage and landscaping so woodwork is only for the dark hours at present...and they're a tad cool right now so maybe in a few days time I'll head for the shed and try a tenon and mortise or two. I'll post the progress scores for any who may be interested. Thanks again for your contributions - it's a beautifully made bit of equipment - just hope I can do it justice.

Cheers,

The Grump.

Well done Graeme!

Regards,

Rob

Spend the time, repeat spend the time with it. Get a metre of 75 x 35 pine and cut it into smaller managable pieces. After each trial, make an ajustement then do another M & T joint, make some more adjustment and cut another one until it's right. Note the setting and write it in your manual where they have a place for it. Try again with some hard wood and see if you need to make any adustments for it.

Use a different guide and do the same until you have covered the ones you will mostly use. If you right down the setting it's easy when you come to set up for a new project. You will find the power of the Hitachi M12 will be more than enough for this jig. Happy hunting.

SB