Thread: Light weight Router for bench top jigs

DSEL74, if you are going to use a Leigh jig you have to make sure that the guides will fit your router. Leigh have a list on their website, you would have to make sure that those guide bushes fit your router(s). I have a lightweight (and old) Bosch POF 50 but I cannot get the guide bushes for it to fit the leigh jig.
I would also wonder if it or a light router would take the load required for the routing of larger pieces of timber in the jig.
I have used both a makita 3600 BR single speed and a Dewalt 625 variable speed on the leigh jig and I prefer the Dewalt because I can dial the best speed for the type of timber that I am using. Also because the router is mostly sitting on the jig I do not find the weight of these bigger routers much of a problem.

Good luck,

Thanks GPSmith…...

Some good points there, especially the guide bush issue. I hadn't even thought of that. Can you only use Leigh brand guide bushes?






Our 11-piece template guide kit will work with any template, pattern or jig for perfect duplicate routing. Ideal for stair, pattern and hinge routing, dovetailing and craft/hobby work. Fits any base with a 1-3/16'' diameter center hole.Also available from Rockler, the Guide Bushing Router Plate (sold separately). Affordably priced and designed with maximum utility in mind, this router plate features a 1-1/4" center opening to accept guide bushings and a ring of external mounting holes which forms multiple patterns to allow attachment to most popular routers. Six additional holes are dispersed evenly around the center to provide an escape for routing debris.













Technical Details:

• Template guides fit perfectly in any base with a 1-3/16'' diameter center hole
• Kit includes 1/4'' and 1/2'' shank custom centering bits for accurate template centering every time
• Includes two lock nuts
• 11-Pc. Set Comes in a sturdy Storage Case

Includes these Seven Template Guides:

• 1/4'' (inside) x 5/16'' (outside)
• 9/32'' (inside) x 3/8'' (outside)
• 11/32'' (inside) x 7/16'' (outside)
• 13/32'' (inside) x 1/2'' (outside)
• 17/32'' (inside) x 5/8'' (outside)
• 21/32'' (inside) x 3/4'' (outside)
• 5/8'' (inside) x 51/64'' (outside)

What's in the Box?

• Seven of the most commonly used template guides
• 1/4'' and 1/2'' shank custom centering bits
• Two lock nuts
• Storage case

I have only used the leigh guides - I have always used the one router and swapped bits for the tails and pins. I have got guides for both my big routers but I have not experimented with the 2 routers for the one job, i.e. one router for the pins and one for the tails. I have been told/read somewhere that there are or can be slight differences between the different routers and so I have not experimented with them.

I have not used the rockler or similar template guides but I would be reasonably sure that you would have to used the same guide for both bits (tails and pins) to have any hope of fitting properly.

Anyway, once you have done your test cuts and fits it is no trouble to do all the pins and then all the tails with only one change of bits. It is all in the preparation!

Good luck,

The Dewalt seems to be our biggest seller at the would shows for the jigs because of its compactness & being light

Originally Posted by VEK TOOLS

The Dewalt seems to be our biggest seller at the would shows for the jigs because of its compactness & being light

Hi,

Which model Dewalt are you recommending?

Santa brought me a Dewalt D26204K-XE (the one with the fixed and plunge base) and it's awesome for hand held use.
No exp. with Leigh jigs though.
Sam