Thread: Leigh RTJ400 Router Table Dovetail Jig

I saw this one on gumtree




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Price: $425


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Thanks but I saw that as well and I'm not really interested in jigs that use a handheld router. I previously had a Leigh D4R and got rid of it because it was taking up too much space. I thought I'd give jigs that use a router table a try instead......hence my interest in the RTJ400. I considered a Gifkin but the RTJ400 allows for thicker boards and even half blinds if I'm not mistaken.

You can do half blinds on a gifkin, you just cut dt in a thinner front then glue another piece over the top.

How think do you mean? With different templates and cutters you can cut thick boards on it as well.


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Originally Posted by Toomnus

You can do half blinds on a gifkin, you just cut dt in a thinner front then glue another piece over the top.

How think do you mean? With different templates and cutters you can cut thick boards on it as well.


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I am aware and have used this technique myself in the past, and I don't mean to disparage it, but strictly speaking, I do not regard this as the same as being able to cut half-blind dovetails. Technically speaking, it's cutting a through dovetail and then laminating a thinner piece to give the same effect as a half-blind dovetail. Yes, it may give you the appearance of a half-blind dovetail, but it requires extra steps (i.e. more material prep, another gluing step, etc) and it will still result in a seam that sometimes you may not want. I liken this technique to laminating pieces around a tenon to create a mortise. You may end up with just as strong a joint, but you cannot claim that you "cut" the mortise. If you still disagree with my POV, you just have to look at Gifkin's own specification/description to see that they themselves do not regard this technique as being able to cut half-blind dovetails otherwise they would advertise it as a feature or capability of their jig.


As for thickness, unless I'm mistaken, I believe Gifkin states a max thickness of 19mm whereas the RTJ400 allows up to 25mm. I must admit that I think most of my usage will be for 19mm and thinner boards, but it would be handy to have the ability to use the jig on thicker boards. I have at least one future project where I think I may need this capability. If there are simple work-arounds for the Gifkin that increase its capacity, then I'm certainly open to learning about them.



Cheers,
Mike

Yeah sure it’s technically not a half-blind but same effect. Definitely adds a few steps, wouldn’t want the Gifkin if you were doing HB’s every project but if not it works fine.

Regarding the line I have always just ripped a bit off the front of the board I was dovetailing then glued back on. Results in a pretty seamless glue line.

I think max is 22mm with B10.

But yeah you obviously have experience with the Gifkin, wasn’t sure from your first post.

Good luck finding a more appropriate jig


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I have zero firsthand experience with either jigs, and my opinions are based purely on the little research I've done so far. The Gifkin does look to be a good product and I may end up choosing that path, but right now, my first choice is the RTJ400.

I've managed to source a New In Box example and I only paid $200 for it !!! As such, this thread is now closed.



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