Looking a dovetail jig

[2001ZR2]

I am thinking about getting a dovetail jig to experiment with making some easy storage. Not sure if I will like it so trying to keep the investment low but want quality of a degree.

I am looking at a used 16" Porter Cable Omnijig with one template and the manual for about $75.

I could get a more complete 12" Porter Cable 4216 for about $134 from amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000HGL59M/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Was wondering if anyone has some wise words of guidance? Oh the Hellfire and brimstone of preferring another brand is welcome.

 

[PelicanPines]

Do you have a router table?

 

[Sal Bandini]

I never thought I'd see dovetail and easy in the same sentence.

 

[2001ZR2]

I don't have router table just beginning to do more than the old 1/4" craftsman router I have and have a big enough ego that I believe I can make a bench or three with simple and non decorated drawers (easy was probably a poor word choice)

 

[Sal Bandini]

I can't find the device anymore and may be out of production. Someone had a cheap system where you made your own templates. This may be similar to it:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079Y3PJ1C/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[PelicanPines]

Ok... I never liked the upright jigs like you listed. I have used an upside down jig where you move the work instead of moving the router.

Mine is Benchdog cast iron table dewalt router incra lift. Pricey...

 

[Sal Bandini]

Now I found it. It was called Stots Dovetail Template and looks to be the same as the one I linked.

http://benchmark.20m.com/reviews/StotsTemplate/StotsTemplateReview.html

 

[EZ_Garage]

The Porter Cable 4216 is the go to dovetail jig for a lot hobbyists. As far as dovetail jigs go, it is pretty straight forward to set-up and use. It's a fixed template unit so, it's more basic and easier to use than some of the other offerings in the market.

$135ish bucks is a pretty decent deal, IIRC it is usually around $170.

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

I have Leigh . In solid wood, it's fine but for 3/8" Baltic birch I use for RV drawers, I used a shop made 1/4" finger jig on the table saw. You can find any number of plans for them. Plywood doesn't dovetail well. Even Baltic birch.

 

[ddawg16]

Dovetails look great.....but......setup is time consuming.

How about something like this? Much quicker.....

https://www.rockler.com/drawer-lock...9ASGJRYkUCGLSURCL8OHSMoB17kIRktwaAgayEALw_wcB

 

[kctyphoon]

Ive been emptying out a lot the **** i dont use from my house by bringing **** to work and letting people pick.. 2 days ago i dropped off a brand new plastic router table, and a brand new craftsman dovetail jig.. both older - but new, in the box’s..

I also have a Leigh D4 dovetail jig in the basement. Bought it years ago when i was planning a little side hustle making tack equipment. (My gf at the time had horses, and i was SHOCKED what people were paying for simple woodworking projects). Thats suppose to be (or at least was) one of the more desirable models. You can customize the spacing on the joints.

Rabbit (dunno if I’m spelling that right) joints are nice and easier. so are Biscuits.. that thing is super easy to use, and theres like no figuring anything out.. you can literally put them anywhere. Its basically idiot proof .

Gotta be honest though - i do like that bit on the post above mine..

 

[MFolks]

www.rockler.com or www.ptreeusa.com

 

[Chris705]

All of these are great options. I have successfully made several dovetail joint drawers using a cheaper jig. I used 1/2” Baltic birch plywood & 1/4” bottoms. I made these for storage drawers under built in seating & also for a built in desk storage drawers. They came out very nice. The jigs do take a bit of trial & error setting up but if you read and follow the instructions it goes a bit easier. For garage storage with heavy duty extensions I think it would serve you very well. I haven’t used the drawer-lock router bit but know that these also work well, in theory would appear less to set up than the dovetail jig. May be less visually appealing than the dovetail but for utility storage use who really care?
Good luck & I think you will be happy going either way.

 

[Prospecter]

A 16" Omnijig for $75 is a great deal. You cannot go wrong on that. I would have already been calling on it.

 

[RKA]

This Rockler one is a knock off of the porter cable and comes with a dust collection attachment which you will appreciate after the first drawer you build.

https://www.rockler.com/rockler-s-complete-dovetail-jig-with-dovetail-jig-dust-collector-combo-offer

With a little practice, you’ll be up and running in no time.

Question, do you have the ability to get or mill your stock so it’s consistent thickness and width?

 

[manwithtools]

If that Omnijig has all the parts and is not torn too hell, $75 is a steal...

 

[MushCreek]

I have an old Craftsman jig, and once you get it dialed in, it's fine. My BIL tried to give me his Leigh, but it was so complicated I gave up and returned it to him.

 

[bob15]

There is also the Incra Jig. They also make an excellent finger joint jig.

https://www.incra.com/router_table_fences-ij32.html

 

[acer66]

Man, that reminds me that I have a PC model which I never used buried somewhere.
Have to dig that one out and use it.
Thanks for the reminder.

 

[exmaxima1]

Ok... I never liked the upright jigs like you listed. I have used an upside down jig where you move the work instead of moving the router.

Mine is Benchdog cast iron table dewalt router incra lift. Pricey...

I think I know what you are describing. It sounds like my Woodline Route-R-Joint system. You clamp the wood into a carrier and move it on a router table. The kit comes with a vast assortment of joint types----you are not limited to dovetails.

Videos of use are here:

 

[RKA]

Man, that reminds me that I have a PC model which I never used buried somewhere.
Have to dig that one out and use it.
Thanks for the reminder.

That’s another option...look on the used marketplaces. Lots of people buy these with intentions and then find it’s too fiddly to bother learning or they used it once and then so much time goes by that they can’t remember and don’t want to go back through the instructions. So they collect dust in a corner of the shop and then end up for sale when the big clean out happens. In my local craigslist there is one Leigh, two PC’s and 2 Craftsman jobs up for sale.

 

[2001ZR2]

The Omnijig has one template and the manual. I watched the 1st part of the training video on YouTube. Not hard but you have to remember 3 measurements to correctly set the stops.

It may not be complete so I am waffling on it. I looked for parts and and additional templates and looks like it's only supported in the aftermarket.

 

[2001ZR2]

Here is what I am looking at:

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/582608145653244/

 

[orangeblood]

search the forum at sawmillcreek for opinions, expereince and recommendations about different dovetail jigs. most systems have advantages / disadvantages where the intended use and user skills need to be considered in order to make a good decision. sawmill is seriously good woodwork forum.

https://sawmillcreek.org/index.php

 

[turbowoodworker]

Go get that Omni. For router cut dovetails, the only thing better is the Leigh but they come in around $275 to start.

 

[2001ZR2]

Ok I bought a better Router than the 1/4" Craftsman in a Porter Cable 690LR fixed base router. It's from 2010 and the previous claimed he never used it. Yes, made in Mexico but for $75 when a new one is $140 plus tax not bad.
View attachment 973476

Turbowoodworker convinced me to buy the 16" Porter Cable Omnijig pre 2007 design. It was $75 and is complete except the template guide bushng for the router.

View attachment 973477

Here they are together

View attachment 973478

GJ thank you for your help and advise.

Now my honey do list longer as SWMBO said I have some ideas for this. Get some scrap wood and figure it out.

Of course both times I told her I was going to meet people in parking lots to buy drugs and asked if she wanted to come. She did come along and now she understand what I might and that is a big might be able to do with these she's on board.

 

[turbowoodworker]

The most important thing about any dovetail jig is that your workpieces be identical in thickness and flat( no cupping). A planer will help or, for drawers, use the drawer stock ply with the bottom groove. Buy it in lengths. Good starting point and the Omni will serve you well.

Make sure to post your results!