Leigh Super 18" Dovetail Jig

I wanted this dovetail jig for a long time - I remember seeing Norm Abram using it in old furniture making shows. I did research other dovetail jigs on the market but even though this one is substantially more expensive, I believe it is a better value because of both its size (18") and because of the versatility - the pin spacing can be easily adjusted so that the joints can be more visually appealing. I am only at the point where I am practicing using it and the video and the manual are very helpful to understanding setup and capability. I have made some boxes and some sliding dovetails using low grade lumber to get used to it before I invest serious money in material on serious projects.

I have this jig, and I have to say that it is does a good job. It's not cheap at all though, and this is where my complaint begins.... When you mount the jig to a board / workbench, there are 4 screws that they nicely included, and a place to on the plastic bottom of the jig to mount each one to your surface.The problem is though, that the mounting area is very tight against the plastic ends, and the mounting is designed so that you HAVE to mount the screws at a slight angle. I don't know why they did it - if it's because they thought it was better, or if it was because they were trying to save 1/2" of plastic, but this is really sad!! You should be able to mount the screws straight down, and even have a little room to do it.Functionally it's a good product, but I think they cheaped out on a couple things, this being the most obvious.....

I added the Leigh Super jig to my collection of dovetail jigs, which already included a P.C. 4210, and an Akeda DC-16. So based on my past experiences with dovetail jigs, these are the models I will be comparing the super jig to. My first impression was that the jig was very lightweight. This may be a good thing with some tools, but I would rather a large jig like this have some heft to it. The side caps are plastic, which on its own isn't a bad thing, but the manner in which you attach the jig to a piece of plywood through slotted and angled holes is downright rickety. Porter Cable Jigs are the only ones I am aware of that use integral brackets to clamp the jig down to your workbench. Most other brands require you to screw a piece of plywood to the jig for clamping purposes. The integral bracket idea is a better approach.CLAMPING A WORKPIECEThe clamping bars on the super 18 seem very lightweight, and are prone to flexing. In fact the manual instructs the user to tighten the opposite side of the clamp a few turns tighter, so as to make the clamping bar flex on purpose. The cam locks are plastic, and feel a bit flimsy. There is a great deal of friction in the cam locks, ie when they are tight enough to secure the workpiece, they are very difficult to engage. I feel this is due to the short lever of the Leigh cam locks. Porter Cable jigs have longer levers that are easier to engage. Overall the clamping system on the Akeda is the best.ALIGNING FINGER GUIDESAligning the finger guides is pretty easy with the included square drive screwdriver. The problem is the fingers don't always lay perfectly flat. You are supposed to place one finger on the loose guide finger, and gently hold it flat while you secure the screw. The guide fingers lock securely in place with very minimal pressure. A straightedge across the top of any three guide fingers usually reveals one misaligned by 1/16" or so. The guide fingers are the surface that guides the router, so this translates into gaps in the joints. This was very disappointing to see. I loosened and retightened each guide finger, but the misalignment remained.By comparison, the Akeda guide fingers don't actually guide the router. The jig itself supports the router front and back.SIDE STOPSOne important, but often overlooked feature of dovetail jigs is the side stops that register the workpiece against the jig. They should be self-squaring and large enough to easily position the board. This is where the Leigh absolutely falls flat. The side stops are thin plastic, and are too small to reliably register the stock. Any errors here, and you will see misalignment between the two boards in the dovetail joint. In other words the edge of the boards won't align. Other Leigh jigs, and the Akeda use fixed side stops machined into the jig, which is much better.The PC 4210 failed here as well with a thin stamped metal tab that is not self squaring.The Leigh Super Jig does have a smart spacer that attaches to the side stops, but it is only used for single pass HB dovetails and box joints. I found it very difficult to remove this little spacer tab. In fact it feels like it would break with any regular use.FINAL ANALYSISI always like to ask people with well equipped shops which is their favorite tool. They have many options sitting there, so the tool they choose is telling in many ways. So I have the Leigh Super 18, the PC 4210, and the Akeda DC16 sitting there at my disposal...which do I choose?For variable spaced through or half-blind dovetails hands down I choose the Akeda. For fixed spacing HB dovetails I would use the PC 4210. I fear the Leigh will be collecting dust, rather than making dust as I had hoped. This is no reflection on the Leigh D4 series jigs, which use a different construction technique entirely. For the few bucks Leigh saved to make the jig this way, my opinion is that it isn't worth it. If you want the Leigh, go all in and get the D4 type jig. If Akeda ever starts making jigs again, get that.

I wanted to upgrade dovetailing that I use in my custom cabinetry bussines, so I read a lot of reviews from other people and from the manufactors and added my own 40 years of cabinetmaking experience to deside to purchase the Leigh 18 super jig.The jig has all the features that I need to produce custom layout dovetails or even spaced half blind ones for fast drawer production. Set up is simple and fast and the clamping system holds really tight.

I did a lot of research into dovetail jigs before I purchased one. The jig is easy to use, the instructions are very easy to understand, the setup was very easy. I am very happy with my purchase. I have had a need to contact Leigh about some options to add to my jig, I was very impressed with the way they treat there customers. I would recommend this jig and Leigh as a company.

Having used a cheaper dovetail jig for many years, I finally bit the bullet and ordered a Leigh jig. The first time out it worked well, the only problems stemming from me. Once the initial setup is done, I believe it will be much easier to use than my cheap jig.

As accurate as advertised.