Thread: Roger Gifkins Demo

Could some please let me know how the Gifken demo went. I am thinking of getting one of these jigs to use with my 2000 router table.

Thanks

Just in case you havn't seen this web site yet:
http://www.gifkins.com.au/



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Thanks,
Barry G. Sumpter
Proud Tritoneer

I recently went fishing at Hat Head just out from Kempsey and dropped in on Roger. He showed me around his shop and I had a good chat with him about the jig. He's got a router table set up with 2 Makita 1/4" routers permanently set up in it. 1 for the straight bit, one for the dovetail bit. He just grabs a jig, throws the work up against the stops and routes it. Throws in the other piece on the other side of the jig and routes that on the other router. That's it!! No word of a lie, he'd have a draw routed and fitting absolutely spot on in the time I take to mark out the joints. The beauty of this jig is once it's set up using shims to get the spacing right, it doesn't need to be touched again until the router bits are resharpened. He's a very generous guy even telling me the finish he uses on his boxes. I'd recommend this jig unconditionally. No I haven't bought one (yet ) mainly because I'm saving for a bandsaw but also because I want to be able to cut dovetails by hand before I get any sort of jig ( call me stubborn!) but when I do, this will be the one I buy! One final thing, it only cuts through dovetails, no blind babies here, but I'll be able to glue on a false front once I've got my bandsaw wont I ,
Mark
PS - I'd like to go back in about 30 years time. Rogers planted hundreds of trees that he'll end up using in his projects.

The Triton Owners Club Oyster Bay hosted Roger on the weekend. He did the full demo by making the jewellery box featured in his plans he has for sale. Roger was the utmost professional. If you get a chance to see how he makes a box and not just demonstrating the jig it is a definite worthwhile experience. There were many hints and tips that he gave the group. I have one of his jigs, as does the club and of late it has been one of the most used items in my shop.

Dave