With the best dovetail jig any woodworker can produce a joint that is both strong and adds to the character of the drawer. However, dovetails are intimidating to new woodworkers with complex layouts, router bits, angles and depth settings. Which makes a well designed jig a must for both beginners and professionals.
So what’s most important when choosing a dovetail jig? Well. consider:
- Width of the jig to accommodate wide drawers
- Faceplates that can cut standard half-blind dovetails and the countless other styles of dovetail joints (through, box, miniature, etc.)
- Aluminum design for durability
- Easy adjustment knobs and levers
- Clear measurement guides for setting depths
- And of course, brand as top manufacturers like Porter Cable and Leigh are a trusted source for woodworkers
After building 1,000+ dovetail drawers (in over 100 kitchens), using many dovetail jigs, and researching the market the following are the best options on the market:
Top Dovetail Jigs
Best for standard dovetails:
› Porter Cable 4216 at Amazon (Price not available)
Professionals pick:
Best value:
› Leigh Super Series 12-inch at Amazon ($399.00)
Router table option:
› Leigh RTJ4000 at Amazon ($439.00)
Budget pick:
› General Tools 860 at Amazon ($53.32)
What is a Dovetail Joint?
Before picking a dovetail jig, it’s best to understand the different types of dovetail joints.
At the very basics, a dovetail joint is defined by two pieces of wood that are interlocked through a “tail” and “pin” section that, when assembled, form an interlocking joint. And, as no surprise, given the strength of this joint it stands with the mortise and tenon as one of the oldest joints in woodworking.
Here’s what makes this joint superior:
- Dovetails offer high tensile strength as the mated surfaces are interlocked together over a large surface area and resist separation
- And, with a greater glue surface area, have more wood contact and strength
- Lastly, dovetails don’t “flex” as the wood is locked. In fact it is more common the surrounding wood will fail first which makes them durable for centuries of use.
Types of Dovetail Joints
There are four common types of dovetail joints:
- Through dovetails are a joint style where both ends of the wood are visible once assembled. Since the exposed ends are usually desired to be seen, they are used less in drawers and more in boxes and furniture.
- Half-blind dovetails are used when the face of one board conceals a dovetail joint behind it. These style of dovetail joint is most popular in drawers.
- Secret mitered dovetails, as the name implies, take the wood construction to the next level by completely hiding the dovetails once assembled. These are mostly used by professionals and high end woodworkers.
- Sliding dovetails are the easiest to produce and are simply an angled slot that holds an equally cut wood end.
Beyond these classic styles of dovetails, you’ll find an assortment of styles that more advanced jigs (like from Leight) or hand-cut solutions offer.
Alternatives to a Dovetail Joint
So if skill, time or budget aren’t lining up to use a dovetail jig what are your options?
Well, there are a few alternatives to a dovetail jig including:
- Pocket hole jigs are the most popular alternative and use screws and are low cost (drill, screws, starter jigs)
- Biscuit joints can be used to secure the joint.
- Domino joiners (Festool) are a hidden joint option but at a high cost.
Dovetail vs. Pocket Hole Joints
With the rapid rise of pocket hole jigs as a wood joinery method there’s a bit of a debate over which is best for casual woodworking.
First, while a pocket hole jig is FASTER it does not produce as strong of a joint as a dovetail. If that is your top criteria then keep moving ahead.
But, if strength isn’t your top consideration you can consider:
- Pocket hole joints require less skill, tools and reduce risk of wasted material. But, at the loss of joint strength and durability.
- Dovetail joints, however, take more skill, higher cost jigs and a decent router to produce a joint.
Dovetail Joint vs. Box Joint
Chances are you’ve seen wood drawers made from table saw jigs that produce a dovetail-like joint.
And, without investing in a router and dovetail jig it’s possible to use your table saw and a proper jig setup to produce box joints.
But, the tradeoffs are:
- Box joints are only through joints, so you’ll see the ends of both boards
- And, a table-saw based solution requires a high quality dado blade that won’t rip the end grain (a major risk)
- Lastly, box joints are stronger than a pocket hole jig but require more time to build
Related Article: Best Pocket Hole Jigs
Best Dovetail Jigs
With every skill level, budget and project type there is potentially a different dovetail jig needed.
So which is best for you? Well, in this section we’ll take a look at jigs based on types of dovetail joints, popularity for home woodworkers and of course overall product quality and durability.
1. Best Value: Porter Cable 4216 Dovetail Jig
Simple + advanced in one jig
Any woodworker with 20+ years experience knows Porter Cable has a few tools they excel at. And their dovetail jig is a flagship product trusted by many.
Overview
As you probably know, many tool manufacturers have a few specialty tools they make that can go unchallenged for decades.
And when it comes to dovetail jigs Porter Cable has been a leader for decades. In fact, back in the 90’s I learned dovetail joinery in a cabinet shop using essentially the same jig on the market today.
This one jig contains all of the templates you’ll need to create half-blind, rabbeted half-blind, sliding, through, and miniature dovetails. Plus, you can even create box joints. If you’re not sure of your woodworking plans and have the budget this tool will let you grow into it.
Key Features
- Made from machined aluminum for durability and accuracy
- Manufactured by Porter Cable
- Includes three template guides (4211, 4213, 4215)
- Fits standard 1-3/16″ router bases
Bottom LIne
If you’re upgrading from a smaller jig this the best midrange dovetail jig on the market. However, there are a few different bundles and packages to consider:
- Porter Cable 4210 is the basic jig without guides and templates.
- Porter Cable 4216 includes additional templates and variations with router bits and template guides
Pros
- Great for beginners or advanced
- Brand reputation
- Makes all the popular dovetail styles
- Easy to use
Cons
- Lacks advanced capabilities of a Leigh jig
2. Professional Pick: Leigh D4R Pro 24-Inch
The “do it all” jig
Leigh is known for producing top quality jigs for anything from mortise jigs to, well, dovetails. And with this jig on the market you won’t find a more fully featured solution for drawers and boxes.
Overview
For the best dovetail jig for serious woodworkers and professionals the Leigh models have a few features you won’t find in other jigs:
- Variable spacing for custom width dovetails
- Support for box joints (aka finger)
- Simple, obtuse and acute angle joints
- And more…
The Leigh jigs come in four adjustable models including the D4R Pro and the the Super 12, Super 18 and Super 24.
If you’ve been around woodworking you’ll know that Leigh Tools is a premium brand in jigs for both dovetails and mortising.
And if you are eying an upgrade to your current jig the Super series offers up a variety of dovetails you can’t make with a standard fixed-width jig. However, and keep reading, the D4R Pro offers up a few more advanced features.
Key Features
- Creates variably spaced through and half-blind dovetails, sliding, box, inlaid, end-on-end and many other styles of dovetails.
- Variable joint spacing for custom looks
- Needle pins
- Obtuse joints
- Mortise and tenon joints (with optional attachment)
- Infinitely adjustable spacing width
- 1-1/2″ maximum board thickness
- 1/8″ minimum thickness
- Durable aluminum construction
Bottom LIne
Pros
- Most configurable jig on the market
- Adjustable width dovetails
- 24″ board capacity up to 1-1/2″ thick
- Most advanced setup options
Cons
- Price
3. Pro Value Option: Leigh Super Series
Budget friendly + top quality
If massive drawers and complex dovetails aren’t needed, the smaller line-up of Leigh Super Series is a great way to get Leigh quality without the price of the D4R.
Overview
The Leigh “Super” series of dovetails offers almost all of the premium D4R series capability. But, rather than force you into the premium size this lineup offers up both a 12″ and 18″ width that allows for the features at a more budget friendly price.
Key Features
- Creates variably spaced through and half-blind dovetails, sliding, box, inlaid, end-on-end and many other styles of dovetails.
- Variable joint spacing for custom looks
- Needle pins
- Infinitely adjustable spacing width
- 1″ maximum board thickness
- 1/8″ minimum thickness
Models Available
Depending on your projects you’ll find three Super Series jigs:
- Super 12-inch will work for almost all cabinet and most furniture projects
- Super 18-inch adds 6-inches for constructing furniture or boxes
- Super 24-inch is in the largest capacity dovetail jig category on the market (there are other 24-inch brands) but offers up the Leigh adjustable options others don’t.
Pros
- Adjustable width dovetails
- 24″ board capacity up to 1-1/2″ thick
- Most advanced setup options
Cons
- Price
- Lacks all features of Leigh D4R
4. Leigh RTJ4000: Best Dovetail Jig For Router Tables
Router table speed + accuracy
Woodworkers prefer router tables whenever possible – and with a table-top jig from Leigh you can expand use and simply setup.
Overview
Surprisingly, a lot of woodworkers never think to use their router table for cutting dovetail pins and tails.
But with a high quality jig like this model from Leigh its easy to cut a high volume of dovetails using the simplicity of your router table.
The downside? Dust. Be sure to invest in dust collector accessories to capture all the material you’ll be removing.
Key Features
- Supports five sizes of dovetails
- Half-pitch dovetails
- Cut single pass half-blind dovetails
- Four sizes of box joints supported
- Includes user guide and DVD
Pros
- Router table speed and accuracy
- All the core types of dovetail joints
- Leigh precision
- DVD included
Cons
- Harder to contain dust
- Lacks all features of Leigh D4R
5. Budget Option: General Tools Basic Dovetail Jig
No frills dovetail jig
For projects with basic needs and drawers under 12″ this jig hits the mark on budget and capability
Overview
You might be surprised to find a dovetail jig for around $50. But that’s exactly what you get from General Tools (a popular woodworking brand) and this one piece jig.
With flexibility for both use on router tables and clamped to a bench this router will cut:
- Half-blind dovetails
- Through dovetails
- Box joints
- Boards of any width
And, for beginners, the simplicity of this device will let you start understanding the pattern of the pins and tails without the more complex dovetail jigs.
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Can be used with a router or router table
- Easy to use
Cons
- Lower quality setup knobs
- Limited gripping surface on router table (dangerous)
6. Clarke brothers: Hand Cut Dovetail Jig
Layout, mark and cut
For projects with basic needs and drawers under 12″ this jig hits the mark on budget and capability
Overview
Dialing it back from routers and getting to the basics of how dovetails have been made for ages, you’ll end up with a simple jig for cutting dovetails.
Paired with a Japanese saw and marking gauge this simple jig will let you cut irregular dovetail patterns without the fuss of a router setup.
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Doesn’t require a router
- Easy to use
Cons
- Slow
- Limited styles of dovetail joints
How to Use a Dovetail JIg
Making dovetails is a rewarding process. But, as with any fine woodworking process, it is time consuming.
Which makes the first step in using a dovetail jig PATIENCE.
Tips to Using a Dovetail Jig
When you’re first unboxing that new dovetail jig you’ll want to read the instructions. I know, it’s not something you want to do, but with these style of jigs the permutations of router bits, templates and guides is confusing.
With that in mind, consider some of the following as you start your first test drawer or box:
- Test on scrap wood first
- Make sure you’re turning the router off while it’s on the jig to avoid damaging to jig parts (I’ve done this!)
- Label your drawer parts using the 1-2-3-4 system so you know where the finished pieces connect
- Pay attention to sides versus fronts, especially on four corner dovetails
- Lastly, I always make an anti-chip cut across the face of the wood to prevent splintering. This is as simple as making a 1/16″ deep cut across the length of the board.
Picking the Right Router
As a jig, your experience will only be as good as the router you pair with it.
While inexpensive routers can cost less than the jig itself, for a top quality experience I use a brand-name lightweight router.
With that in mind, look for:
- Routers with dial-in height adjustment for ultra-fine adjustment
- High quality bearings to lower vibration
- Lightweight to avoid fatigue over 15-20 drawers or more
Safety Considerations
As you know, routers are dangerous as they have an exposed bit that is known to “bite” the user.
But there are other considerations, including:
- Always wear protective eye covering
- Use hearing protection
- Dust collection is a must for more than a drawer or two
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best dovetail jig to buy?
Choosing a dovetail jig is a balance between your budget, your current projects and future projects. While a hand cut dovetail jig may work for small projects, a larger project will require a router and dovetail jig with guides to allow for fast cutting.
How do you make a handmade dovetail?
The easiest way to hand-make a dovetail joint is by using a crosscut or Japanese saw in combination with a hand dovetail jig. While slower and not as precise as a router-based jig, for small projects on a budget these style of dovetails are both a challenge and satisfying to build.
What is the most common dovetail angle?
While the most common dovetail angle bit is 7-degrees, they range up to 17-degrees. Angles will vary based on the material strength of the wood as well as the type of dovetail joint. Lower angles can be used for hardwoods as the material strength will prevent deflection of the wood. However, softer woods like pine will require a steeper angle.
- Includes Template 4211 For Half-Blind, Rabbeted...
- Includes Template 4213 For Through Dovetails And...
- Includes Template 4215 For Miniature Through And...
- Template Alignment Lines And Router Bit Depth...
- ADJUSTABLE DOVETAIL JIG: The 1-piece aluminum...
- JOINT BOX: Our set includes 1 dovetail joiner tool...
- WOOD MARKER: Professionals and novices can make...
- DOVETAIL JIGS FOR WOODWORKING: Complete a...
- GENERAL TOOLS: We're a recognized leader in...
- Includes 4211 template for half-blind, rabbeted...
- Template alignment lines and router bit depth...
- Router bit depth gauges allow user to quickly and...
- Includes 4211 template for half-blind, rabbeted...
- Template alignment lines and router bit depth...
- ★ 12" /30CM dovetail gripper cable machine is...
- ★ It can cut a variety of joinery for drawers,...
- ★ Durable one-piece steel base design without...
- ★ Template alignment lines and router bit depth...
- ★ Maximum working width: 30 cm, maximum working...
- Router requires a 7/16-Inch Guide Bushing and...
- Comes with a 1/2-Inch aluminum template
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Last update on 2023-03-31 at 13:05 / Images from Amazon
- About the Author
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Eric has been a professional woodworker for over thirty years and has worked in small cabinet shops making everything from kitchen cabinets to hand-made furniture. Now working from a home woodworking shop Eric is sharing his passion for woodworking, tool advice and how-to knowledge from his Minnesota-based woodshop.
