I’ve been making furniture and using rabbits for drawer construction. I’d like to start making dovetails and looking for jig recommendations. I also plan on making a firewood box and would like to dovetail the corners.
I know Rockler makes good products but would like some feedback.
Thanks in advance!
most woodworking i do…………usually ends up as firewood!!!!!!!!!! 
so i’m no help!!!!!!!! 
Hand cut dovetails, or machine? I know how to do hand, but machine…not so much.
I’ve been making furniture and using rabbits for drawer construction. I’d like to start making dovetails and looking for jig recommendations. I also plan on making a firewood box and would like to dovetail the corners.
I know Rockler makes good products but would like some feedback.
How do you get the rabbits to stand still? I have enough trouble with rabbet joints, myself. Sorry, I had to…
I have the Rockler dovetail jig. A couple of thoughts:
1. Buy the kit with the dust collector included.
2. Most jigs are set up so the workpiece hangs below the jig and there is a maximum width of the workpiece. I think the Rockler jig is 18 inches max width and the max work piece length is whatever the height is of the bench you mount it to. Your jig must be mounted high enough so the workpiece can hang below the jig and then you need to lay out properly to set up the width for a wider-than-single-pass workpiece. There are workarounds for both of these limitations, but it can get complicated and frustrating if you’re still coming to terms with the jig itself.
3. You’re going to want extra templates for different dovetail sizes, and of course you also need different bits. Just be aware that no jig is one-size fits all, it’s really the templates that do the magic.
4. I’m assuming you already have a router that has enough HP. Make sure collars are available for your router base if you don’t have them already.
5. Setting up ANY dovetail jig requires practice and personally, my head STILL hurts every time I have to set up a new project.
The Rockler jig is no exception. You’ll need extra stock of the width of your projects to practice and check setups on.
To be honest, I’ve never gotten good enough with dovetails that I can trust myself with running parts without doing a full-on dry run on test stock first. And by that I mean about 3 full on dry runs with practice stock. Once you get it set up, it works great, but setup takes practice and time and patience. Don’t expect plug and play if you’re like me and have never done dovetails before.
Grouse
I have thought about getting something to do dovetails but I like how the box joints turn out. I normally do them at ¾”.
Rockler Router Table Box Joint Jig
It sets up easy. Once you get the spacing right on one. You can just blow through the rest.
Grouse, I always feel bad putting glue on a rabbit and hitting it with a brad nailer!
I know it’ll take lots of practice, thank God I have a lot of scrap wood. I’m a hoarder when it comes to lumber!
Hand cut dovetails, or machine? I know how to do hand, but machine…not so much.
I’d like to try both.
Was there a particular budget range you are wanting to stay within? I’ve been fortunate that a couple of my cabinet makers have sold me some of their used equipment. I know I got some incredible deals, but I also have a few pieces that are just amazing to work with.
For “inexpensive” I have a little porter cable template I have that I keep in my trailer. Its ok, but I wouldn’t attempt heirloom pieces with it.
My brother has the full AKEDA 24 set with a crap load of accessories. VERY NICE and also very difficult to find.
I have a Leigh D (older version). VERY precise. I use this when I’m doing restoration work. Plus I have an very used Omec in the shop. Spindle are showing a lot of wear but workgreat for soft wood and making stuff like bee boxes
I use an Incra. It’s a bit complicated but can do some amazing joinery. If it’s production the Porter Cable is what I would take a run at.
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>mnice wrote:</div>
Hand cut dovetails, or machine? I know how to do hand, but machine…not so much.I’d like to try both.
For hand, youtube is your friend, along with lots of practice. Check Paul Sellers on YouTube, he is excellent in my opinion.
Here’s a picture of my saw till with one of my first attempts at hand cut dove tails. I do some woodworking with 99% hand tools. I’ve learned how to sharpen hand saws and edge tools like planes and chisels to a razor edge. Sharp is what you need. I enjoy making new stuff that looks old.
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Here’s a picture of my saw till with one of my first attempts at hand cut dove tails. I do some woodworking with 99% hand tools. I’ve learned how to sharpen hand saws and edge tools like planes and chisels to a razor edge. Sharp is what you need. I enjoy making new stuff that looks old.
Looks great!I volunteer at Urban Boatworks and use planes all the time. There’s a couple guys there that can put an unbelievable edge on blades. I have an old 20″ tv in the shop that is 50% for watching woodworking. Ever watch the Samuri Carpenter? Beautiful joinery!
Randy, I’ve been looking at four brands with the most expensive being a Leigh at $279 & the bottom is a Rockler @$169 it’s the only one with dust collection. Like most tools the sky is the limit regarding price. I think this is a tool to work my up on.
It’d be nice to have a thread for tips, pics.
Thanks for the responses!
I have a new, never used, Leigh, 24″ I think, still wrapped up, with some new dado bits, I would be willing to give you for about 25% of what I paid for it, if you want. Bought it at a show, and my main direction of woodworking changed shortly there after. I now do mostly all wood turning. I remember seeing it when we moved about three years back. Give me a call if you are interested, 715-891-3636. I am in central Wi, just west of Wausau.
Leigh 18″ for me.
I have thought about getting something to do dovetails but I like how the box joints turn out. I normally do them at ¾”.
Rockler Router Table Box Joint Jig
It sets up easy. Once you get the spacing right on one. You can just blow through the rest.
I picked up a Rockler & the box joint jig.
Randy, I’ve been looking at four brands with the most expensive being a Leigh at $279 & the bottom is a Rockler @$169 it’s the only one with dust collection. Like most tools the sky is the limit regarding price.
Oh, I agree on the cost of tools. That’s why I asked about budget. Easy to start recommending stuff that isn’t realistic.
Congrats on your purchase. Hope it works well for you 
I would recommend when using the Rockler box jig to add 2 thin pieces of wood and clamp it down to the router table on either side of the jig to make sure it doesn’t move after you get it set up. I have had it shift a little when doing box joints in maple. Enjoy and have fun.
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