Thread: Newbie woodworker - dovetail jig question

Originally Posted by Ozziespur

ok i have my leigh jig arriving in a couple of weeks (or so Carbatec tell me). I've waited 6-7 weeks thus far and have been (as rustynail suggested) attempting handcut dovetails in the meantime with mixed success.

My question now is what router to buy that will be a good fit for the leigh jig.

snip

I guess if anyone has a different make/model router that they use on their leigh jig (with or without an adapter) can you please let me know as I'd like to save some money on my router if possible after taking the plunge on the leigh 24" jig !

Muchos gracias

I suggest a router that takes an 8mm collet
If I remember correctly, many of the Leigh cutters come with 8mm shanks

Thanks SB & Ian

My biggest fear is I buy a router with an 8mm collet and it doesn't fit the Leigh bush and I have to wait 2 months for Carbatec to order an adapter !!

SB what is the model of your Black & Decker router out of interest ?

If anybody else has a router that works with the Leigh guidbush (with or without an adapter) please let me know.

Mthks.

Hello Ozziespur

Just to throw some more confusion into the argument, I have had absolutely no issues using 1/4" shank bits with a Leigh Jig cutting up to 16mm material, softwoods, admittedly.

Originally Posted by Ozziespur

Thanks SB & Ian

My biggest fear is I buy a router with an 8mm collet and it doesn't fit the Leigh bush and I have to wait 2 months for Carbatec to order an adapter !!

SB what is the model of your Black & Decker router out of interest ?

If anybody else has a router that works with the Leigh guidbush (with or without an adapter) please let me know.

Mthks.

It is a 1 HP 1250 which states in the hand book that no adapter required. It is a fixed base router and thats all you need as a dedcated router for the jig. I just did a serch on gumtree by typing in black and decker router and there is one available right now the same as mine.

SB

Originally Posted by Ozziespur

Thanks SB & Ian

My biggest fear is I buy a router with an 8mm collet and it doesn't fit the Leigh bush and I have to wait 2 months for Carbatec to order an adapter !!

SB what is the model of your Black & Decker router out of interest ?

If anybody else has a router that works with the Leigh guidbush (with or without an adapter) please let me know.

Mthks.

I'm sorry Ozzie, I should have been clearer
your jig comes with a set of 1/2in dovetail cutters and a 1/2mm to 8mm reducer (I think it's for the 5/16th straight bit).
for some 1/2in routers you can get an 8mm collet

Originally Posted by ian

I'm sorry Ozzie, I should have been clearer
your jig comes with a set of 1/2in dovetail cutters and a 1/2mm to 8mm reducer (I think it's for the 5/16th straight bit).
for some 1/2in routers you can get an 8mm collet

Thanks Ian, after posting I read up on Leigh's site and saw this : Shank Size
Every Leigh dovetail jig is shipped with 8mm shank router bits. They are considerably stronger and stiffer than 1/4" shanks, allowing smoother cuts and faster feed rates with a greater margin of safety. Routers with 8mm or 1/2" collets are required to use 8mm shank bits. A Leigh 1/2" to 8mm collet reducer, supplied with all Leigh dovetail jigs, allows 8mm shank bits to be used in 1/2" collet routers.

Thanks !

Originally Posted by Wizened of Oz

Hello Ozziespur

Just to throw some more confusion into the argument, I have had absolutely no issues using 1/4" shank bits with a Leigh Jig cutting up to 16mm material, softwoods, admittedly.

It might be worth trying your old router on the new jig before you race out and buy a new one. Perhaps it is more than adequate.

Fair Winds

Graeme

Originally Posted by GraemeCook

It might be worth trying your old router on the new jig before you race out and buy a new one. Perhaps it is more than adequate.

Fair Winds

Graeme

Old router has 1/4" collett. I can certainly try it out and will probably do so.