Thread: Dovetail Jig

Hi Michael, I did leave reply earlier but for some reason it didn't show up. Anyway, welcome to box making. One word of warning though, box making can become very addictive. I started making boxes about 3 years ago and love it. I bought the Gifkin Jig from Col at Coffs Harbour who bought the franchise for Gifkin Jigs. I find the jig excellent. Back then I only had an old Makita router and an old triton router table. Pretty soon I got sick of standing on my head every time I wanted to change a bit or the height and then bought a Triton Router I think TRB001, brilliant. I then made my own router table to the specs of the free plans on the Gifkin website. Swinging pivoted fences much better than a bought one with fixed fences. You might find pics of my build on this site running a search on me.

Good luck with it all, let us know how you go,

Regards, Paul

Since you're in Mittagong, if you hang on a month you will catch Col and the Gifkins jig at the Sturt School of Wood in Mittagong in Feb.

You'll get all of your questions answered and see great demos of the jig.

Paul - many thanks for the response.

I too have an old D handle Makita router and old Triton router table, as well as a newer Triton 2000 series table top.

At this stage not confident enough to attempt building my own table, but will definitely check the Gifkins website.

I commenced (today) cutting enough timber (Sassafras, Myrtle and Blackwood) to make at least 6 boxes, actually pencil cases. Will post pictures of my progress.

Regards,

Michael

Thanks for the heads up.

Why not try cutting your dovetails by hand? It will take a bit of practice, but once you've done it a few times, you'l have better looking results than you'll get with a jig, and it doesn't take that much longer. Also, you'll be able to cut half-blind dovetails, which most jigs can't do.
There is plenty of information around about how to do it.

Alex - have thought about that option and have the hand tools necessary to attempt cutting dovetails.

Michael.

Originally Posted by AlexS

Why not try cutting your dovetails by hand? It will take a bit of practice, but once you've done it a few times, you'l have better looking results than you'll get with a jig, and it doesn't take that much longer. Also, you'll be able to cut half-blind dovetails, which most jigs can't do.
There is plenty of information around about how to do it.

I bought the Gifkin's. Use it all the time. This would be my recommendation for a jig, too.



Paul

Paul - Thanks for the reply. I am attending a woodwork exhibition in February and Col Hosie is one of the demonstrators. I think I know what the outcome will be!!!

Originally Posted by homesy135

I bought the Gifkin's. Use it all the time. This would be my recommendation for a jig, too.



Paul

Hey Michael, When you see Col and spend your $500 or thereabouts, spend another $15 and buy the variable spacer thingies. They are green and yellow plastic spacers. Just put them aside till you get proficient with your Gifkin jig then after you have mastered it, refer to your manual on how to use them (or the webpage). They are used to make the dovetail joint where you intend to slice the lid off 4mm (or whatever) wider. Then after you have sliced off the lid, your dovetails are all the same size. You will pretty much use this all the time when a lid is involved. I made steps of how to do it and still refer to it everytime.

Paul

Paul, Thanks for the heads up. I am saving my pennies, as we speak, in anticipation of purchasing the Gifkins Jig.

Michael.

Originally Posted by Pauls321

Hey Michael, When you see Col and spend your $500 or thereabouts, spend another $15 and buy the variable spacer thingies. They are green and yellow plastic spacers. Just put them aside till you get proficient with your Gifkin jig then after you have mastered it, refer to your manual on how to use them (or the webpage). They are used to make the dovetail joint where you intend to slice the lid off 4mm (or whatever) wider. Then after you have sliced off the lid, your dovetails are all the same size. You will pretty much use this all the time when a lid is involved. I made steps of how to do it and still refer to it everytime.

Paul

Originally Posted by Pauls321

You will pretty much use this all the time when a lid is involved. I made steps of how to do it and still refer to it everytime.

Paul

That's good advice - the difference the make to a lidded box is essential.

Paul, do you mind sharing your list of steps? I need to fumble around for the manual every time I go to use them, and spend way too long making sense of it! (maybe I just haven't used it enough!).

Nathan.

Hi Nathan, Sure I will do that tomorrow, got the list of steps in my garage. I fumbled around with the manual and the webpage instructions, messed it up a few times and then one day just persisted till I got it right. I might try and do an attachment to make it simple for everyone to follow,

Paul

Yes yes everything I have read and most advice from this forum says the Gifkin is the way to go.

The Gifkins is a great jig, I can recommend it to you.

Hand cutting is OK for those with the skills. I have never mastered tis dark art for some strang reason.
The frustration of many failed attempts led me down the Gifkins path.