Carpentry is a laborious task no doubt, but when you take it as a passion, it becomes an art. Art always encourages artistic work to differentiate from any job site. Best dovetail jigs will reinforce to customize and simplify your jobs at the shop.
While mallet and chisel would be used to cut for furniture design, dovetail jig, a simplified mechanism brings forth a revolutionary change in wood joinery.
If you cut dovetail joints using a chisel, you have to measure pins and tails first, and manually cut them right away.
It’s a long time process!
A dovetail jig is a pre-designed template, so no pins or tails. Just keep your wood piece on the template, and use a router. That’s it.
The question is what dovetail jig should you buy. Find our top recommendations below.
Best Dovetail Jigs Review & Comparisons
| Image | Product Name | Bottom Line | Shipping Weight | Click Here to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
  | Porter Cable 4216 Super Dovetail jig | Dimension:22.2 x 11.8 x 10.4, Color-Silver | 26.8 p | |
  | Keller 1500 Journeyman DoveTail Jig | Dimension:16.9 x 5.5 x 1.6″ | 1.65 p | |
 | Leigh Super 12″ Dovetail Jig | Dimension:25.5 x 8.3 x 8″ | 7.7 p | |
  | PORTER-CABLE 4212 Deluxe Dovetail Jig | Dimension:22.9 x 140.7 x 11.4″ | 24.5 p | |
 | Rockler Complete Dovetail Jig | Dimension: N/A | 24 p |
5 Best Dovetail Jigs Reviewed
See our list of best dovetail jigs right here:
1. Porter Cable 4216 Super Dovetail jig
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This time We are going to featuring and introducing PORTER-CABLE Super Jig, a features enriched Jig which provides a combination of features and values for the projects.
While some users find out some other different dovetail jigs to overcome from cutting dovetails by bare hands, PORTER-CABLE Super Jig introduces further enriched features to suit the needs of the most average users.
What makes this Jig different from its potential buyers is its extensive lists of templates. While 4211 template is the best fit for a half-blind and two more consecutive dovetails including sliding or rabbeted-half-blind, a 4213 template will support for both box joining and through dovetails.
Besides, you’ll find here template 4215 for more decorative and attractive box joining. This one is actually for your super support to bring your wood piece in reality. It is quite hard to find anything impossible with its diverse templates.
All the three aluminum templates of the super Jig set are lightweight and sturdy and support you for superior cutting accuracy and strong durability for the years to come.
It allows wood piece from ¼” thickness to 1-1/8”, and there’s a fine locking bar to grip on the wood.
The 4216 Super Jig comes with the depth-gauge that allows the handymen to set the depth without measurements and ensures superior cutting accuracy.
The only issue is with the price hike for the extra templates it includes but in general, the increased utilities worth the price.
However, Porter-Cable ensures flawless cutting of dovetail joints as easy and simple as possible.
Pros
- Performs accurate with multiple templates
- A features enriched Jig
- Bit depth gauge
- Sturdy aluminum frame
Cons
- Extra templates seem to be a burden of price hike
- Traditional dovetails might not be perfect
2. Keller 1500 Journeyman DoveTail Jig
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To give you productive support and the way to save your time, we have brought another dovetail jig of Keller Journeymen. Keller Dovetail System is one of the remarkable dovetail templates that produce perfect through dovetails.
You’ll be capable of taking it under control with just a few minutes of practice and minimal set-up. And you can crank out the through dovetails when the hat is dropped.
It comes with the bearing-guided bits tracked against the template fingers, so no router-mounted template guides required. Additionally, you’ll win a pair of bits provided with each jig.
The Keller model 1500 comes with a 15-inch precision template and a free pair of small size bits that accommodate stock from 3/4″ to a mere 1/8″ thick.
The precision realignment template system accepts unlimited lengths and widths.
It’s great for those who are interested in mini to midsize projects at the beginning stage. The excellent thing is that it has no end stops; so you can use a larger piece of wood on the same 12″ template step by step.
The template is perfect for curved and compound-angled dovetails as well as round dovetails. It’s also ideal for drawer and cabinet making when you need to cut box and complex joints.
With this lightweight and easy-to-use jig, routing flawless through dovetails is not so hard. The entire project may require a moment while most other jigs need the same time merely to set up.
Your best choice! It’s easy to use and produces high-quality dovetails.
Pros
- Simple and easy to use
- Lightweight
- No hassle to set up
- Accepts unlimited lengths and widths
- No end stops
Cons
- You may experience a little hardship with the box joint
3. Leigh Super 12″ Dovetail Jig
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Quality of tools determinates how much the price should be. From its primary viewpoint, Leigh Super 12″ Dovetail Jig seems to be costly, but when the characteristics of tools themselves are sound, the price may be considered in regards to their value.
We’ve uncovered this one on the front line, and it may not be your target if you are looking for at a tight budget. But the thing you might notice right here is that the Leigh Super 12 is a versatile jig, and it comes with plenty of versatile features you’ll notice absent from any other jig altogether.
When all other super jigs produce half-blind dovetails and variably spaced through dovetails, adjustable one-piece fingers super perform for any joint pattern. The patented Leigh E-bush is further enhanced feature to produce amazing joints ensuring very precise adjustment.
It also features with a 1/2 inch to 14 -degree and 1/2 inch – 8degree bit. A 5/6″ straight bit and 1/2 inch 8mm collet reducer itself works great right with Leigh.
Besides, there’s a crosscut fence to allow woods to perfectly fit on the template. The aluminum clam bars hold tight the workpiece, so it’s secure and steady.
These are the premium features certainly deserve the best value.
Pros
- Versatile features
- Adjustable Leigh E-brush system
- No measurement required for cutting pins and tails
Cons
- High price
- Complex assembly system
4. PORTER-CABLE 4212 Deluxe Dovetail Jig
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Porter-Cable is a well-known brand and users are pleased using their product so far. We are convinced with the features and quality they provide enough to display another product review in this session, and this is Porter-Cable 4212.
Unlike 4216, Porter-Cable 4212 comes with the same base unit but lacks one finger template for miniature dovetails. So, tactful woodworkers suggest 4212 in spite of having a slide shortcoming, emphasizing its prudent on through dovetails, half-blind, rabbeted half-blind, and sliding dovetails. It also lets you cut box joints as well.
Whichever you buy, you are not in frustration at all for not getting the latest, because you have still hope and your final decision is not set in stone. Separate templates are accessible, and anytime you can buy.
PORTER-CABLE 4212 12-Inch Deluxe Dovetail Jig is great for furniture making and cabinets. It can accommodate stock up to 1/4 to 1-1/8 inches.
This convenient dovetail jig features solid construction and heavy-duty cam clamps. It’s convenient and easy to set up and has been built to serve you for long lasting durability.
It has included two carbide-tipped bits to permit you to customize bit depths and very lucid template guides that make sense to anyone’s brain.
Pros
- A versatile and convenient dovetail jig
- Simple and easy to cut box joints and dovetails
- Super easy installation process
- Customizable for bit depth adjustment
- Solid and durable construction
Cons
- Need more practice to cut dovetails
- No template available for miniature dovetails
5. Rockler Complete Dovetail Jig
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As a woodworker, tools don’t dictate the quality of your work, but they make the journey easier. Our modern conveniences save us time from meticulously measuring and cutting. Every good craftsman needs a reliable dovetail jig. If you value productivity and saving time, owning one is non-negotiable.
For the price and ease of use, you simply can’t beat the Rockler Complete Dovetail Jig. Rockler’s newest version of this product will increase the productivity of your next project. Its versatility accommodates all skill levels. It can cut full through dovetails, offset dovetails, half-blind dovetails, rabbeted half-blind dovetails, and regular box joints.
If you compare it with a lathe machine, the jig is not less performer in its respective wing. Turning a bowl is best suited for lathe while cutting dovetails is super easy and faster for a jig. That is what the dovetail jig reviews tell you.
With minimal pieces for assembly, it is very easy to set up. It produces high-quality joinery perfect for cabinets, drawers, or other types of furniture. It also has a convenient chart bolted on the side to help you measure template depth.
Inside the box you’ll get two additional templates, router bits, collet adapter and excellent guide bushing for standard joining.
Its jigs are plastic, but for the price, the hardware functions well. It is also relatively heavy at twenty-four pounds, so make sure to secure it properly.
Fasten it to your workbench to ensure smooth, tidy corners for your next project. For the price, Rockler delivers another must-have piece for your shop. Anybody looking to save time and effort in the pursuit of professional-looking joinery needs this piece of hardware on their workbench.
Tips: Wear hand gloves and use push block or push sticks to avoid accidents.
Pros
- Looks good for professional joinery
- Clamping bar that prevents slipping
- Perfect for half-blind dovetail joints
Cons
- Quite hard to mount on the workbench
- Plastic jigs; not feature enriched
Conclusion
So, you’ve just finished reading our top reviews already. Are you still confused to finalize your best pick? We recommend Porter Cable 4216 Super Jig since it covers most of the aspects any dovetail jig usually does.
It is a bit pricey for its three separated templates that provide both quality and value.
If you are a beginner to mid range artist, we’ll suggest you pick Keller 1500 Journeyman. It will reduce your time and make your job precise no doubt.
An extra benefit is that a high-quality product is at a cheap rate, and you’ll get all your jobs done with a single piece!
Last speech – a dovetail jig is your requirement since it increases productivity and designs high-quality dovetail joints for artistic projects.