Comments on: Finds: Leigh D4R Dovetail Jig

By: james b

james b — Mon, 11 Sep 2006 21:34:13 +0000

I upgraded from an old plastic Craftsman jig to one from Harbor Freight. The HF is lots easier to setup. Offset the boards by one board width, center both boards under the fixed pins, and set the router bit height to what it says in the manual, then adjust the height, over and over and over. I used this for making multiple drawers for a dresser and sideboard. For larger materials, like the curved sides of a chest I made, I cut them manually with a bandsaw, jigsaw, chisels, rasps, etc. I would hesitate to use this for a single piece.

By: Rob

Rob — Mon, 11 Sep 2006 19:41:00 +0000

I’ve always wanted a Leigh jig but the price has always driven me back to handcutting. Since I’m not doing that many, it’s not that bad but one of these days, I’m getting one of those.

By: Steve Thompson

Steve Thompson — Sun, 10 Sep 2006 16:33:48 +0000

I have the P-C as well and love it. I have had the opportunity to use a Leigh jig in a friend’s shop and - with proper supervision - and it worked well, but I agree with Frank, The P-C is da bomb! Whatever you do - avoid the cheap ones from Sears, I found repeatability a problem.

By: Frank Hicinbothem

Frank Hicinbothem — Sun, 10 Sep 2006 15:37:21 +0000

I bought the Leigh D4R and ended up sending it back. It’s just too darn complicated, and I found I had to dig out the manual every time I wanted to use it. I now have the Porter-Cable 4212. It’s *much* easier to use and less than half the price of the Leigh units. It can handle 6/4 stock up to a foot wide. Somewhat smaller than the Leigh unit, but P-C has a larger model if that’s your thing. Oh, and it only has two pieces, so no danger of losing the bushings, fingers, and sleeves. Available from Amazon for about $150.