Dovetail Jig
A Brief Review
Is there any Dovetail Jig easy to set-up and use? Most woodworkers wonder which Dovetail
Device makes the most sense.
Let's have a brief jig review.
You should ask yourself these questions:
1. Is it easy to learn?
2. Are the instructions good and easy to use?
3. What is the quality of the finished dovetail?
4. What is the quality of the jig and how easy to use?
These jigs can be expensive, and they can be confusing to use. The setup should be simple and
effective. The instructions should be thorough and easy to following.
Some "experts" recommend making various templates to rout dovetails. I disagree! Why go to all
of the trouble and expense?
Most quality drawers use dovetail joints, because they are strong and resist the strains of a
drawer.
Look at this file drawer. There are many files, as you can see. Does it hold up? You bet it does!
After looking at several dovetail jigs, some costing over $300, and reading the instructions, I
found that you do NOT have to spend big bucks to make quality dovetail joints. You need ease
of setup and quality cuts.
These two jigs have reasonable prices and give excellent results:
The Hart Design GFK1200 Jig 
- Gives unbelievable versatility and quality for the money!
- Cuts joints in stock ranging from 7/16" to 1" thick.
- Joints Edge guides align stock automatically for a perfect fit.
- The solid aluminum template is CNC machined to .001" for absolute precision.
- The 12" jig comes with the 1/2" half-blind dovetail template (also does 1/2" rabbeted half-
blind dovetails) and instructions as standard.
- Porter Cable style guide bushings, and bit available separately. Made in USA.
- With the optional templates, you can cut 1/4" & 1/2" half-blind dovetails, 1/4" & 1/2" half-
blind rabbeted dovetails, 3/4" & 5/8" through dovetails, plus 1/4", 3/8" & 1/2" box joints.
Porter Cable 4210 12-inch Dovetail Jig
- Handles stock 1/4" to 1 1/8" thick
- Patent pending alignment lines and router bit depth stop allow for quick, easy set-up
- Heavy-duty cam-type clamps with sandpaper-backed locking bars provide solid grip of
wood
- CNC machined aluminum templates provide superior accuracy
- Cuts half-blind dovetails, rabbeted half-blind dovetails, and dovetail dadoes
- Additional templates available to create through dovetails, box joints, and miniature
dovetails
- Standard Equipment: Dovetail jig, half-blind/dado combo template #4211, 1/2" shank
carbide-tipped dovetail bit #43776PC, template guide #42040, lock nut #42237 and operating manual
See my Best Place to Buy Page for good pricing on dovetail jigs.
