Thread: Half Blind Dovetail Jig - Help Please!

The first link won't open due to one too many "h"s at the start.

Ray

Ok. All fixed. Thanks Ray.

Had one of them. The original manual was as useful as toilet paper. Then I found that Grizzly one. It takes real patience to get it almost right.

Solutions was......hit with big hammer....if that didn't work...hit with bigger hammer....repeat with increasing size of hammer

Once jig cannot be used, stop hitting with hammer and go buy another jig...Gifkins, Leigh.....but not that one.

If you have bought the jig recently from Carba-tec I would suggest you take it back and get a refund. Not worth the hassle trying to set one of those things up. I have seen them demonstrated at various wood shows but most people I know who have purchased one, regret it. Personally I use a Gifkins jig which I find excellent for the dovetail work I do. Worked perfectly out of the box. There has also been excellent reports on the Leigh dovetail jig. If you decide to keep trying with the one you have, good luck with it. Hope it works out okay for you.

Sand paper on the bottom of the finger board can help to keep the wood stationary.

Sorry mate, but you get what you pay for.

Do as Munruben says and take it back. Obviously the Blab outstrips the performance of this thing.

No chance of taking it back. This thing was in the garage, unused for a good 12 mths before I got around to giving it a go. Nevermind. I'll put it down to a not too expensive lesson in dovetail jigs. I like the idea of routing dovetails though, so it's time to do some more research.

Looking at your request I see that you want it for making HALF BLIND DOVETAILS which the Gifkins does not do!!!!!
I have one of these jigs and it works perfectly and all the half blind dovetails I've made have been perfect in every way.
Just take your time, lock the upright piece in first then the top piece, Don't try to clamp them too tight but just enough to hold the timber firmly. Make sure you have the correct offset and use the second offset fence on the other side of the jig to hold the timber in place. Try and see what is required to position the pieces to set it up and you will win in the end. Depending on the thickness of the timber being used and the length of the pieces you may have to use some spacers of the same thickness. (Difficult to explain) but with practice the result will be just what you are looking for.
I see so many people cry down these jigs but I do know that they work and work well if they are set up right. I have even used a template from Carbatec which has 14 degree dovetail cutouts (same as the Gifkins but theirs is 8 degrees). I fitted this template and used the jig to make through dovetails. Took a bit of working out with spacers etc. but it did work OK.
Good Luck and keep trying,
Terryvk6pq

I had one of these and was able to cut decent dovetails with it but it took many a trial piece and lots of sawdust to get set up right. Once i had the right set up (with 19mm thick timber) i kept the successful test pieces with the jig for later reference.

Mine had a pressed comb which had a curved top causing the router to wobble from front to rear during use killing any chance of a decent result. After huge amounts of frustration I later made a new comb myself out of 8mm plastic i had lying around. This helped immensly.

But it was the fixed spacing that rendered mine a permanent spot under the bench. I later bought a Leigh and have never looked back.

Go back to Carba-tec and look at the Leigh jigs. You dont really need the you-beaut D4R, they have a Superjig 12 currently for $339. They work with much less frustration and are much more flexible.

Good luck.

Steven.

Thanks for your replies guys.

Spokeshave, the Leigh looks like a great unit. I also like the matching VRS dust collection attachment they have for $109.

I will have one more go tomorrow and if no luck it is destined for the bin. My comb is actually ok. I somehow need to solve the problem of it moving a few mm when tightening the top mount. I am thinking if I stick some sandpaper both above and below where the wood is placed it will help and then use some spacers to overcome the movement. Here's hoping! Sounds like too much trouble though. I am looking for repeatability and I am not sure whether this jig is going to cut it.

Cheers

Originally Posted by terryvk6pq

Looking at your request I see that you want it for making HALF BLIND DOVETAILS which the Gifkins does not do!!!!!

Indeed it doesn't but this is easily overcome by facing the timber you have dovetail jointed with another piece of timber. This gives the appearance of half blind dovetails.

Ok. I have binned the jig. IMHO it is a piece of CR#P. The more I used it the more components I discovered moved during setup and routing. I don't think this is good enough even for a beginner. That said, I now know a whole lot more about routing dovetails and what I want from a jig .

I like the Leigh 18" but also came across the Incra LS Positioner which enables accurate dovetailing on the router table. Any opiniions out there regarding the pros and cons of the two?

I can't comment on the Incra apart from knowing it has very fine adjustment. I can however, say the the Leigh is an awesome jig. I have the D1600, it has sat in my old shed for a while and now I have my new shed and space I have dusted off the cobwebs and used it. I have found it a BREEZE to set up and a pleasure to use.

I also have a Gifkins Dovetails Jig which also is great to use as you aren't holding a router like you are with alot of other jigs.

For adjustability you can't beat the Leigh - spend the extra money, you will not regret it.

Looks like the Leigh. I like the Super Jig 18" with the VRS accessory kit. I have a b'day coming up in April. Excellent .