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WoodRiver dovetail jig review

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This is the one I got from Wood Magazine and it includes the half-blind and accessory thru dovetail templates.

Executive Summary:  I think there are better units out there.  Woodcraft has several other options.

 

It is nice because there is an accessory template to do through dovetails.   It is also sturdy and heavy built.

 

I have two router jigs -- an old Porter-Cable one that works fine but only does half-blind dovetails and is not flexible on width of pieces.  Another one that is not made any more and is way more adaptable, does through and half-blind dovetails but is extremely complex.  I read the manual, went to an all day class with handouts,  then spent two days studying, making notes and diagrams, and trying things.  When I pull it out, it takes me an hour or two to get started with it.  And to do most anything you have mid-stream adjustments and or template changes to make (permitting the opportunity to mess up).    I was hoping this one would be simpler to use.

 

I understand that with any jig, you need to fine tune the depth of the dovetailing bit to fit the pins you cut.

 

The manual is kind of sketchy.   The parts listed for the bits and templates are not exactly what was sent.  It appears they changed/upgraded without changing the manual whose revision date is the same month as manufacture (I have discovered this is not uncommon from Chinese manufacturers).   And the one size bushing that had a label for 7/16 on it was the wrong size 1/2".   But the slots appear to be 1/2", so not sure until I do a test run. Woodcraft sent a replacement to me same day and arrived a day later.  But it appears the supplied bits will work.  But not listed anywhere the thru dovetails are limited to 1/2" thick wood, maybe at least on the tail pieces?  I have a bigger bit but it won't work because it's a 1/2" shank and does not fit a 1/2" bushing.

 

The settings for the template are not fixed and I was told that I'd need to fiddle with things a bit to accommodate different thicknesses of wood.  The half-blind should be good once set up.  But the through dovetail template needs flipped between tails and pin cutting, so you'll need to run a trial and adjustment every time.

 

I think if I was going to buy one, I'd just go for the Leigh Through Dovetail Jig  https://www.woodcraft.com/products/td330-through-dovetail-jig-leigh

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Thanks for the review.

 

I sold my PC Omnijig some years ago. It just took too much time to set up. I learned to cut thru dovetails by hand and really enjoy it. One of these days I'm going to attempt half blind dovetails. Probably need to give @steven newman a call for instructions :)

I bought the Omni from a widow and that thing is built like a tank. Only got thru jigs and found a video that was very detailed so made notes and added instructions on the jig itself. Have used maybe three times but I just don't do much flatwork anymore. That jig is built like a tank tho.

 

I also have the Keller jig which it looks like may be the original of the Woodcraft. It worked pretty well too.

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