It's about time to demonstrate that I am still doing some woodworking. The end table carcases are pretty much complete (they are not glued up in the pictures shown, but are dry fit to allow me to fit the drawers.
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I've spent just about the last 3 months (at a moderately low level of weekend time) working on getting the Leigh jig to produce as near gap-free dovetail joints as possible. At this point, I've given up and have ordered an Akeda jig. If that pans out, the Leigh jig is most likely going on Craig's list.
Will do. Placed the order Wednesday, should have shipped Thursday. Just be aware that the "C" kit is only partially available. They are currently shipping all but the bit box (I can live with that), the 14 degree dovetail bit (I ordered a separate one), and the standard size guide bushing (one comes with the jig).
That's weird. I think it's the first negative thing I've seen on the Leigh jig in the wreck, other than it's too complicated. Could you elaborate for us contemplating a purchase. Inquiring minds want to know.
I posted a series of issues I was having with mine a month or so ago, check on Google for the full story as well as a bunch of very helpful advice from people on this board. Bottom line: I have been unable to get gapless half-blind joints. On past projects, I spent inordinate amounts of time with test cuts, setup adjustments, etc and finally got to where I would "settle" for a result and go into production with that setup. On this project, I decided I was done "settling" and was going to probe into the problem until I got the joins I wanted. I now know more about the leigh jig than I have ever wanted to know, have probed and identified pretty much every possible source of error and still am not getting gapless joints -- there are just too many possible sources of error. IMO, one of the primary contributors is the fact that the router has no front support for the router this provides significant potential for tipping when moving from finger to finger. Another strong source of error is the support structure for the bars and fingers doubling as support for router and being constructed such that torquing and twisting of that structure is possible, even when using a backer board. Finally, even though the infinitely variable width adjustments of the fingers is a nice feature, the implementation allows for misalignment when tightening the fingers allowing slight mis-matches of the tail and pin cuts.
I bought the Leigh because it is supposed to be A-1. After 3 major projects easily over 20 hours on each project trying to get gapless 1/2 blind joints. I've swapped fingers, bits, tried multiple techniques and am still not getting there, I've finally decided, "no mas" -- I'm going to replace the Leigh with a jig that addresses the issues I've observed.
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