Thread: Can the standard Leigh to finger joints?

Fidel, have you been to the Leigh website? - I'm pretty sure that either there or in the manual (which I have lost/misplaced) there are instructions for finger joints.

regards,

When I researched what jig to buy for dovetails, that was one of the things I had against the Leigh dovetail jig., you had to buy extra templates for fingerjoints and other joints.

See here:

http://www.leighjigs.com/f1.php

I finished up with an Incra jig as the economics of the Leigh did not look good by the time you bought all the extra bits.

The other reason was that I used the Leigh jig in another forum members' workshop and I didn't like bringing the router to the work (I have the big Triton), I'd rather bring the work to the router.

Fidel, Woodrat has had the pencil out & the Littlerat is now $565 + postage & is a versitile machine.... Peter

http://www.woodrat.com

The impression I got from the guy at Carbatec was that Leigh would rather sell you the finger template, but you could get away without it, by using the standard spacers. From the responses so far it sounds as if this may not be possible.
Are there any Leigh users out there who can tell me otherwise?

Thanks for the feedback guys.
I just had a quick look at the Leigh website, and found the article I was looking for. Seems it can be done, with a bit of effort.
http://www.leighjigs.com/data/Leighfdt.pdf
The article is dated 2000, and mentions the D1258, D1258R, D3, D4, and TD514 and TD514L jigs. I'm assuming the D1600 was not available at that stage, but that the procedure would work with it.
I guess that means I'll have to go and buy one now ...

If you are really interested in finger joints without buying the additional templates you should consider the new Leigh super jigs that have adjustable side stops with accurate offset built in. They will make the job much easier.

For both dovetail and finger joints , before you buy have a look at www.gifkins.com.au a lot of forum members have one ( as I Do) and swear by it not at it
Rgds

Originally Posted by Ashore

For both dovetail and finger joints , before you buy have a look at www.gifkins.com.au a lot of forum members have one ( as I Do) and swear by it not at it
Rgds

I have the Gifkins too but don't you require another template to do finger joints?

Originally Posted by Fidel

I'm in the market for a dovetail jig - for boxes, draweres, small furniture etc.
I was in Carbatec Perth the other day, and the guy said that the Leigh D1600 can do finger joints, using the parallel sides of the guide fingers (ie without any additional bits). I'm not sure if this makes sense. Has anyone tried this? None of the Leigh info I've seen alludes to this being possible.

Go here http://www.leighjigs.com/vids.php
There is a demo video of the Leigh jig in action and if you scroll down the vids there is one covering the finger joint template.

Yes you can get away with out purchasing a finger joint template but in that case you are restricted in the choice of sizes (in terms of minimum size of fingers)or you can buy mortice and tenon attachment (template) this is also used as Variable spacing finger joint template but 5/8" is the minimum size of fingers that you can rout.

Dust maker

Well after reading all the feedback, and doing some more homework I decided to hang on a bit. Then I saw an add in the Quokka for an Incra Ultra 24", which to me looks like the most versatile jig/fence. Got the jig with lots of extras, and a really good solid steel table (which I'm making a new top for) as well as an Ozito router (OK for trimming laminate etc) for $450.
I've played around a little with the Incra, and am super impressed with the design and build quality. From what I see, it's not as quick for box & dovetail joints as the leigh, but heaps more versatile as a router fence.

Originally Posted by Fidel

Well after reading all the feedback, and doing some more homework I decided to hang on a bit. Then I saw an add in the Quokka for an Incra Ultra 24", which to me looks like the most versatile jig/fence. Got the jig with lots of extras, and a really good solid steel table (which I'm making a new top for) as well as an Ozito router (OK for trimming laminate etc) for $450.
I've played around a little with the Incra, and am super impressed with the design and build quality. From what I see, it's not as quick for box & dovetail joints as the leigh, but heaps more versatile as a router fence.

Good score Fidel. I have the Incra LS17 and have never regretted the purchase, also have the Wonderfence, great fence for general routing work. Hope you enjoy your purchase.