Old method vs. new: dovetails with a router jig versus hand cutting

I used to cut all my dovetails by hand for years, but after a batch of 30 drawers for a kitchen in Portland I switched to a Leigh jig. The speed is undeniable, but I still feel like the hand-cut joints have more character and hold up better over time. Anyone else made this switch and regret it or stick with the power tools?

2 comments

2 Comments

theawest6d ago

and honestly, the real difference shows up in repair work. I've had to fix a few jig cut dovetails that were just too tight or too loose from the machine not being dialed in perfectly, while hand cut ones always have that slight irregularity that lets glue grab better. The Leigh jig is great for production runs no doubt, but when I'm building something meant to last 100 years I still go back to hand cutting every time. The time saved with the router gets eaten up by setup and test cuts anyway, especially when you're switching between board thicknesses. I think most people stick with the jig because they never got comfortable with a chisel and saw, not because the machine actually makes a stronger joint.

ericb666d ago

Keep chasing that perfect setup all afternoon while I'm already gluing up my second joint, that's the real time saver, right? Ngl, I've watched guys spend 45 minutes dialing in a jig just to make one set of dovetails for a blanket chest. Hand cutting might take me 20 minutes start to finish and I already know every one is gonna hold.