The Dovetail Joint Tool Hunter

So, how does this blog thing work?

2012-02-14T15:47:00.000-08:00

This blog (short for Web Log) features information and links to high-quality dovetail and joinery jig and machines and items that are related to these tools which are for sale on the web.

If you right click on a link and open it in a new window you can quickly return to the blog by closing the new window. If there are items to see in the selected title, they will be displayed, but if no items are displayed that simply means there are no results at that moment.

Save us a favorite and check back often as the web (and therefore this blog) is constantly changing. Also, check the neat and FREE service offered by www.WatchThatPage.com below.

Please do me a favor. If you have a blog of your own or are a member of an Internet newsgroup and decide to flatter me by quoting from the text of my entries, please honor me by posting a link to this blog. Thanks and good hunting! Scott

A Killer Deal on the Porter-Cable 24" OmniJig, with a FREE P-C 690LR router!

2011-04-04T20:31:00.000-07:00

If you haven't had a chance to see the new Porter-Cable Omnijig in person yet you owe it to yourself to do so soon. The OmniJig was first introduced in 1989 and believe me, it was a battleship! I own both a 18" and a 24" version of the original and they have been workhorses. I really hate to admit this, but this new Omni-Jig dovetail router jig kicks the snot out of the original! The first thing that will catch your eye is that this is MASSIVE! My guess is the 24" capacity jig has got to be over 3' long! The next thing you'll notice is that it has an adjustable template, meaning it can be used to make variable spaced dovetails. All the stops are factory preset, but these can be tweaked once she's in your shop.

Check-out the videos below for lots more info, but please be aware that Woodcraft is offering the 24" OmniJig in the month of April 2010 with a FREE Porter-Cable 690 router! This is my all-time favorite router, which might explain why I own so many of them! Click this Woodcraft.com link to see the deal while its still available.

New Gerstner Toll Chest Hunter Blog

2010-04-21T17:14:00.001-07:00

Yes, it's absolutely true that I need another blog like I need another hole in my head; but that doesn't seem to stop me, does it? As a Dayton boy there are several local companies that you just know. There's Shopsmith, NCR, Mead, Standard Register, Delco, and more. The city of Dayton is even promoting these home-grown companies with a new "Dayton Patented" promotion.
As a woodworker Shopsmith stands out as a great supplier of tools, but H. Gerstner & Sons is the pinnacle of craftsmanship. They've made machinist's tool chest from wood since 1906! I've been shopping for them for some time, and like this blog I've started a blog to make it easy for me to store my refined eBay search links and other data that I've collected over the years. Some of the links on the blog will lead to tool chests from resellers like Woodcraft and Amazon, and other links will be to tool chest plans and parts.

Drop by http://gerstner-tool-chest-hunter.blogspot.com and check it out.

Scott

Are you looking for great tools at a great price? Think "Tool Hunter"

2009-06-19T17:34:00.000-07:00

We were looking over some of the nerd-level analytical data that we get for our blogs and have noticed an interesting trend: When folks find tools on our blogs, and bid, they run a good chance of winning the item! Take a look at the info at right (Click on it to Biggie-size).
This is from the dashboard that eBay gives us to track the traffic from our Tool-Hunter blogs, and what it shows is the number of bids placed by our readers and the success rate of their bids. Now, not everyone is successful, but what this shows is a trend that has been improving over the past two years that we've been blogging. Granted, our blogs aren't traditional "blogs", in that we don't feel the need to post when we have nothing fresh to say. No, our goal is connecting lovers of fine tools with , well, more fine tools! We hope this describes you and if so we encourage you to check-out all of our "Tool-Hunter" blogs. You'll find them listed on our launch page at this link: http://tool-hunter.blogspot.com

Thanks for joining us, and please drop us a line if anything comes to mind that you'd like to see on these blogs; or if you have a tool to promote.

Scott

AKEDA DC-16 Through and Half-Blind Dovetail Jigs for Sale

2009-01-10T19:02:00.000-08:00

AKEDA DC-16 Through and Half-Blind Dovetail Jig
The AKEDA DC-16 from AKEDA Jigs Incorporated is one of the newest jigs around and takes a unique approach. Without any adjustments this jig promises variably-spaced through dovetails on the first try. In addition to no adjustments, excellent dust collection, virtually no setup, dovetail layout is easy and repeatable. Woodcraft is the exclusive distributor the AKEDA DC-16. Click the picture below to see the Akeda at Woodcraft.

Click the picture to see the Akeda at Woodcraft.

Click this link for Akeda dovetail jigs for sale on eBay

Leigh D4 Through and Half-Blind Dovetail Jigs for Sale

2009-01-09T19:01:00.000-08:00

Leigh D4 Through and Half-Blind Dovetail Jig
The Leigh dovetail jig Leigh Industries is considered one of the best jigs on the market. The Leigh cuts infinitely variable tails and pins and also offers an dizzying array of accessories that allows you to mill mortise and tenons, a variety of box joints, and decorative joints. Click the picture below to see Leigh dovetail jigs at Woodcraft.

Click the picture to see Leigh dovetail jigs at Woodcraft.

Click this link for Leigh dovetail jigs for sale on eBay

Leigh Dovetail Jig overview video

2009-01-09T15:21:00.000-08:00

Click this link to see Leigh Dovetail Jigs for Sal e on eBay

Leigh FMT Mortise and Tenon Jig video

2009-01-09T13:23:00.000-08:00

Click this link to see New Leigh Mortise and Tenon Jig for Sale through Amazon.com

New Porter Cable 12", 16" and 24" OmniJig Dovetail Jigs for Sale

2009-01-08T18:58:00.000-08:00

Porter Cable 12", 16" and 24" Dovetail Jigs
The Porter Cable dovetail jigs are among the most popular jigs on the market. Porter Cable offers a variety of optional templates to compete with the Leigh as being the most versatile dovetail jig available. Click the picture below to see Porter-Cable dovetail jigs at Woodcraft.

Click the picture to see Porter-Cable dovetail jigs at Woodcraft.

Click this link for Porter-Cable dovetail jigs for sale on eBay

Video of the NEW Porter-Cable Omnijig Dovetail Jig

2009-01-08T15:24:00.000-08:00

Click this link to see OmniJig Dovetail Jigs for sale on eBay

Festool Dovetail Jig for Sale

2009-01-07T20:34:00.000-08:00

Seeing that Festool is known mostly as the Mercedes of powertools, it should come as no surprise that they also have a fantastic dovetail jig. Watch the video below.
Click this link to see Festool Dovetail Jigs for Sale on eBay

Keller Through Dovetail Jigs for Sale

2009-01-07T18:58:00.000-08:00

Keller Through Dovetail Jig
The Keller is one of easiest to use through Dovetail jigs, though they offer only fixed pin and tail spacing.

Click this link for Keller dovetail jigs for sale on eBay (Very light traffic)

Woodrat Dovetail/Joinery Jigs for Sale

2009-01-06T18:57:00.000-08:00

Woodrat Dovetail/Joinery Jig
The Woodrat is perhaps the most unique dovetail jig on the market, and appears to have the largest learning curve. I have not used the jig, but it gets high points for versatility and creative capacity. Setups appear to be more complex than typical jigs. The Woodrat runs around $500.

Click this link for Woodrat Dovetail/Joinery Jigs for sale on eBay

Hartville Tools 12" and 18" Dovetail Jigs for Sale

2009-01-06T18:44:00.000-08:00

Hartville Tools 12" and 18" Dovetail Jigs
The GFK 1200 is another P-C look-alike for $100, while the GFK 1800 starts around $150. Hartville sells aftermarket cam-action clamps for the 12378 that also fit the P-C 4112.

Click this link for Hartville Dovetail Jigs for sale on eBay (Very light traffic)

Rockler Dovetail Jig for Sale

2009-01-05T19:34:00.000-08:00

At first glance you'd think you were looking at the Woodstock International jig, but despite a few common elements the Rockler Dovetail jig is head and shoulders beyond the Woodstock.

Not only is this jig capable of cutting normal half blind dovetails, but with standard accessories it will cut through dovetails as well. Optional templates are available for mini half-blind dovetails too.

One of the nicest innovations is something that used to drive me nuts with the Woodstock jig. On the Woodstock jig you have two stops on each side of the jig that must be adjusted just right in order to prevent misalignment when you assemble your joints. Rockler has added a simple one piece stop on each side that is always square and which is preset for the correct offset. That makes it almost impossible to mis-align your boards. Very slick and Rockler even has a patent pending on this innovation.

Click this link to see the Complete Dovetail Jig at Rockler

One new innovation is a slick little duct collection chute which attaches to their jig for a much cleaner shop.

Rockler Dust Collector for Rockler Dovetail Jigs, with FREE Conversion Kit

Woodworkers Supply Matchmaker Joinery Wirth Machine for Sale

2009-01-05T19:28:00.000-08:00

Patented in 1983 and introduced as The Wirth Machine, the Matchmaker was invented by John Wirth, the owner of Woodworkers Supply. The Wirth Machine had an integrated motor, which was replaced by a universal router mount when in 1989 the tool was re-patented and re-christened the Matchmaker. With an X-Y sliding table and a vertically moveable Z axis, this tool follows a plastic template that produces an accurate tenon, mortise, box/finger joint or dovetail.

I owned one back in the late '90s and was blown-away by its versitility.

Click link for Matchmaker Joiner Machine for Sale on eBay

FYI: A Matchmaker which included a 3hp Hitachi router recently sold on eBay for $650. They sell new from Woodworkers Supply for over $1000 without the router.

Revised:
I can't believe this! The original Wirth Machine is still available from Woodworkers Supply! They are on clearance for $1699, originally selling for $2600.

Shopsmith Joint-Matic

2009-01-05T19:12:00.000-08:00

This information is from my blog: shopsmith-tool-hunter.blogspot.com/

The Joint-Matic was originally sold by the Strong Tool Company as the Strong Jointmatic and after Shopsmith purchased the rights to make it they took it into their R&D department and added dust collection and removed one lead-screw and the synchronizing bicycle chain. After a few years this tool was retired. There is one important thing that you need to keep an eye out for if you are shopping for the Shopsmith version of this tool. You'll want to make sure that the plastic platen that moves the router up and down isn't cracked where the knob that adjusts the backlash out of the lead-thread, threads into the platen. If you are buying one online ask the seller to tighten the knob gently and snap a photo of this detail from above. It it's cracked, take a pass.

Click here for Shopsmith Joint-Matic/Jointmatic items for Sale (Very light activity)

RBI Wood Tools Dovetail Jig and HAWK RouterShop for Sale

2009-01-05T18:45:00.000-08:00

RBI Wood Tools
Known more for their scrollsaws, RBI used to sell a P-C look-alike jig.

Click this link for RBI Dovetail Jigs for sale on eBay (Very light activity)

Now RBI offers a tool called the HAWK RouterShop, shown in the photo at right. This tool combines a traditional router table with a horizontal router tool in the tradition of the Joint-Matic.

Click this link for the HAWK RouterShop for sale on eBay (It's a new tool, so expect very, very light activity)

Woodhaven Dovetail Jigs for Sale

2009-01-05T18:38:00.000-08:00

Woodhaven Dovetail Jigs
Woodhaven sells a variety of dovetail jigs including their new top-of-the-line jig (shown) that can be used in the conventional mode or on top of a router table. Brad Witt is the long-time owner of Woodhaven and is the inventor of many router related tools and jigs.

Click this link for Woodhaven Dovetail Jigs for sale on eBa y (Very light traffic)

Sears Craftsman Dovetail Jigs

2009-01-04T18:34:00.000-08:00

Sears Craftsman Dovetail Jigs
While not known for the best jig on the market I've known folks who have made good use of the various Sears Craftsman jigs that have been available throughout the years. (I love this picture from the Sears web site)

Click this link for Sears and Craftsman Dovetail Jigs for Sale on eBay

Woodstock International Half-Blind Dovetail Jig

2009-01-03T18:31:00.000-08:00

Woodstock International Half-Blind Dovetail Jig W1099
This jig runs between $40 and $60. It works pretty well and was one of my first jigs.

A similar jig is sold by Harbor Freight under the name Central Machine and though it LOOKS like the same tool it is inferrior in many ways including fit and finish. I suggest that you not pay more than $29 for this jig, so don't get too bid-happy on eBay!

Click this link for Woodstock and Central Machine Dovetail Jigs for Sale on eBay (For as many for as many of these that have been sold there is surprisingly light activity)

Katie Jig Dovetail Jig

2009-01-02T18:30:00.000-08:00

Katie Jig
A relatively new jig that has received good reviews. It's unique in that you can clamp a tail and pin board in the jig at one time and you cut them on a router table. This ensures the alignment of the top/bottom edges and could be a real time saver if you had a two router setup like Marc Sommerfeld uses at the woodworking shows.

Click this link for Katie Dovetail Jigs for Sale on eBay (Very light activity)

Stots Dovetail Template Master

2009-01-01T18:21:00.000-08:00

Stots Dovetail Template Master
You use this template master to make dovetail and box joint jig templates. You can use it to make templates of virtually any size. It runs about $50 plus another $30 for the router bits if you don't have them. One weird thing about this jig is that when you buy it you are actually agreeing that you will honor a three page license that states among other things that you will only use it in one sop, not loan it to others, etc. It's one of the oddest things I've ever seen, but seeing that the jigs purpose is basically to reproduce itself, I guess it makes sense. As a result of this license you almost never see this jig being sold on eBay. I suspect that Stots enforces their license and that eBay honors this.

Incra and Jointech Router Fence Incremental/Positional Jigs

2009-01-01T17:22:00.000-08:00

Incra and Jointech Router Fence Incremental/Positional Jigs
The Incra and Jointech jigs are not for production work, but they work well if you are careful and patient. They work by positioning the fence on your router table, and are time consuming to setup and use compared with dedicated dovetail jigs.

Click this link for Incra Jigs for Sale on eBay

Click this link for Jointech Dovetail Jigs for Sale on eBay

MLCS dovetail jig for sale

2009-01-01T16:02:00.000-08:00

MLCS has supplied quality router bits, router jigs and woodworking aids since 198o and this link leads to reasonably priced New MLCS Dovetail Jigs for Sale on Amazon.com

Here's a great FREE site that will keep you informed if anything new gets posted!

2008-03-13T20:33:00.000-07:00

You can be the first to know if something new is added to this blog (Or any other site of interest for that matter). Visit http://www.watchthatpage.com/ and sign up for a free account. You can then add any url to your personal list and you'll be emailed should anything change. I've used this site for several years to keep track of changes on one of my favorite sites: http://www.woodshopdemos.com/ which is a site that rarely changes. Test it out with our blog and you'll be the first to know if anything changes!

Thank you.

2003-05-25T14:26:00.000-07:00