Your thoughts on Dovetail jigs

[John]

I've just purchased a Peachtree Dovetail Jig system and now I'm having second thoughts.  It was a bit pricey and don't know how many times I'll use it, if I use it at all.  I got it at a trade show special pricing and have always had an interest in making dovetails, but the question is how often.  So to the fellow woodworkers here, tell me how often you use yours and is it worth it.  Is there a better piece of equipment out there or not.

Love hearing everyone's thoughts.
John

[John]

What a system!!!! It would be nice if Kreg came up with a version of this to adapt to their router table. I own the Kreg router table and purchased it because of the sturdiness, the aluminum fencing and rail. But this Incra is impressive.

Kreg reps, are you listening? Here's a good idea for your next new tool!

[Don Husslein]

That is a nice looking piece of machinery. Whoever came up with the color scheme at Incra should definitely get a huge bonus. That gold is quite eye catching. I'm with Phillip. I used my dovetail jig once in 5 years. I have a few other options for you.

I have an Incra Jig I purchased at Rockler that worked quite nice for me for awhile now. It was all I could afford at the time and was my goto jig when doing joinery. http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=11494&filter=incra%20jig

I was at a woodworking show a few years ago and purchased a Route-R-Joint from Woodline USA. http://www.woodline.com/p-1825-route-r-joint-precision-dovetail-joi... It actually worked quite nice. The plus factor is the different joinery designs available and are quite impressive. It take a little time to set up though. A set of set up bars are almost a requirement.

My latest is the Rockler Box Joint Jig - http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=21338&filter=box%20join... I've used it a few times in practice with great results. Again, I would suggest getting a set of set up bars for use with this because the key to getting a really tight fit is in the set up. http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=16399&filter=set-up

[Don Husslein]

Forget that part about the Incra gold ... I got lost when looking up my links ... oops

Don Husslein said:

That is a nice looking piece of machinery. Whoever came up with the color scheme at Incra should definitely get a huge bonus. That gold is quite eye catching. I'm with Phillip. I used my dovetail jig once in 5 years. I have a few other options for you.
I have an Incra Jig I purchased at Rockler that worked quite nice for me for awhile now. It was all I could afford at the time and was my goto jig when doing joinery. http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=11494&filter=incra%20jig
I was at a woodworking show a few years ago and purchased a Route-R-Joint from Woodline USA. http://www.woodline.com/p-1825-route-r-joint-precision-dovetail-joi... It actually worked quite nice. The plus factor is the different joinery designs available and are quite impressive. It take a little time to set up though. A set of set up bars are almost a requirement.

My latest is the Rockler Box Joint Jig - http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=21338&filter=box%20join... I've used it a few times in practice with great results. Again, I would suggest getting a set of set up bars for use with this because the key to getting a really tight fit is in the set up. http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=16399&filter=set-up

[John]

That's what I figured too. I seen this dovetail kit at the woodworkers show and with the show discount, I thought I might as well buy it. When I came home and thought about it, I said it's a nice jig but probably will hardly use it. I'm going to return it for some more clamps.

Thanks for confirming my thoughts.
John

Don Husslein said:

That is a nice looking piece of machinery. Whoever came up with the color scheme at Incra should definitely get a huge bonus. That gold is quite eye catching. I'm with Phillip. I used my dovetail jig once in 5 years. I have a few other options for you.

I have an Incra Jig I purchased at Rockler that worked quite nice for me for awhile now. It was all I could afford at the time and was my goto jig when doing joinery. http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=11494&filter=incra%20jig

I was at a woodworking show a few years ago and purchased a Route-R-Joint from Woodline USA. http://www.woodline.com/p-1825-route-r-joint-precision-dovetail-joi... It actually worked quite nice. The plus factor is the different joinery designs available and are quite impressive. It take a little time to set up though. A set of set up bars are almost a requirement.

My latest is the Rockler Box Joint Jig - http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=21338&filter=box%20join... I've used it a few times in practice with great results. Again, I would suggest getting a set of set up bars for use with this because the key to getting a really tight fit is in the set up. http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=16399&filter=set-up

[Ed Morris]

Hi John, you bought the dovetail system for a reason, and I guessing that it was to have another way of joining wood, but now you sound like you are second guessing yourself now, there are tons of project out there and there is a number of ways to join them. You recall the saying about practice makes prefect. Try not to think about a couple of ways to join wood. In some cases a dovetail joint looks great as well we know it is a very strong joint.I'm guessing you have not come across those projects that make the dovetails stand out. I'm always learning about wood since I use to be a pressure welder by trade and wood is a lot different than steel but I'm reading and looking up anything to do with a project that I take on and make it with my personality in mind. My next project will be the birdfeeder from Kreg but that is were it ends, about 50% of the joints will be with the router and pocket screws. When I look at a project, I also see other way to make it, and maybe you might want to rethink why you bought it in the 1st place and think outside the box every now and then. It is only my opinion for what it is worth. Ed Morris

[John]

Hi Ed,

Thanks for replying. Sometimes I'm guilty of buying new toys as I call it, with the thoughts that I may try it or may use it one day. Dovetails is something that looks like one of the projects that I would like to try, but to date, I really haven't had a need for it. I seen the show special on this jig and at a weak moment, said I'll buy it. One of my faults when going tool shopping! A kid in a candy store.

Anyway, when I thought about it, I said I could use the $140 on something I need and use more often and get the better bang for my dollar. So yesterday, I returned it and bought some very good bar clamps that were on sale. Now this is something I can really use!! Peachtree Supply is offering these clamps that are a knock off of the Bessey clamps. When you buy two, you get two free while quantities last. I couldn't pass these up and have used them already. A very good product and very pleased!!!

For those of you that were thinking about buying clamps, you might want to take a look at the ones at Peachtree. Get 4 for the price of two is hard to pass up!!





Ed Morris said:

Hi John, you bought the dovetail system for a reason, and I guessing that it was to have another way of joining wood, but now you sound like you are second guessing yourself now, there are tons of project out there and there is a number of ways to join them. You recall the saying about practice makes prefect. Try not to think about a couple of ways to join wood. In some cases a dovetail joint looks great as well we know it is a very strong joint.I'm guessing you have not come across those projects that make the dovetails stand out. I'm always learning about wood since I use to be a pressure welder by trade and wood is a lot different than steel but I'm reading and looking up anything to do with a project that I take on and make it with my personality in mind. My next project will be the birdfeeder from Kreg but that is were it ends, about 50% of the joints will be with the router and pocket screws. When I look at a project, I also see other way to make it, and maybe you might want to rethink why you bought it in the 1st place and think outside the box every now and then. It is only my opinion for what it is worth. Ed Morris

[Ian Waltenbery]

Phillip,
I have a comment on your claim that woodworking is expensive. As hobbies for grown ups go...wood working is very reasonable. When even some one fusses about cost, Not ever my beloved wife, which is one of many reasons I married her; I point out the cost of motorcycles, sail boats, sports cars, RV's and the like.
My basement shop, which is has more tools than I have talent cost less than the price of a full on Harley Touring bike and the annual wood cost will not be much more than the cost of insurance and certainly will be less than insurance and bike toys.
cheers
Ian W

Phillip said:

I have a Rockler that I have used once. Most of my joints are Kreg pocket screws or my Dowelmax wood dowels. I just bought the Incra Super System LS http://www.incra.com/product_rtf_lspsuper.htm The Incra does dovetails, box joints, and much more, much faster, much easier, much more precise. I just started learning how to do the work correctly and I am impressed. One of my friends on this forum advised me to look and try it and I am not sorry. A word of advice. Do not think about the cost, if you do you will go nuts, that may be difficult to accomplish since most folk think we are nuts in the first place. Woodworking is expensive. We are building to pass on to the next generation.

[Ian Waltenbery]

John,
I learned how to make Dove Tails using the Band Saw. For the few times I've wanted dove tails I was happy with the result. It also meant one less tool staring at me wanting a turn on the bench.
cheers

[John]

That's not a bad idea. Never thought of the bandsaw.

Ian Waltenbery said:

John,
I learned how to make Dove Tails using the Band Saw. For the few times I've wanted dove tails I was happy with the result. It also meant one less tool staring at me wanting a turn on the bench.
cheers

[Robert Sanford]

My idea was a much cheaper idea. I bought a Stots Dovetail Master off of e-bay and it works great. I made my templates out of phenolic plastic and they are super durable. The only real difference between what I have done and the Peachtree system is the material the templates are made from. I am sure the aluminum is super durable but can the difference in cost be justified by the casual woodworker? I couldn't justify it.

[ray vile]

i bought the rockler dovetail jig about a year ago, practiced with it until i got it right and made one drawer with it so far, I keep on trying to find projects that I can use it on but I always come up with some other way of making the joints,
i recently bought the rockler box joint jig and haven't used it for anything yet, but I practiced with it and it does make nice joints I'm hoping to use it in the near future. If nothing else they both helped me expand on my skills and I know I can use them if needed

[Graham Collins]

I'm not familiar with the Peachtree name but have used several types of dovetail jig. The Incra is a great system because of the variations it can produce. I also use a cheap Sears production jig for kitchen drawers. The Incra is wonderfully technical and programmed and it provides a certain type of experience. Having exploited the Incra to the fullest in the past my sage council would be this. For a very different kind of experience learn to cut dovetails with a handsaw and a chisel. There are many books available to give instruction but you have to try it to fully realize how simple it is. The first set may not be show pieces but you will probably get acceptable results from the second go. With a little practice you could take on a set of four drawers. More than that and a production jig might be the ticket.

Cheers,

Graham