First dovetail with Porter Cable 4212

[Howard Miller]

My first 1/2 blind dovetail with the Porter Cable 4212.
Tails are flush with sides.

Any suggestions appreciated.

[John Keeton]

Howard, that looks pretty good - has the joint been glued? If not, that is going to really tighten up nicely.

[Mike Langford]

Lookin' Good Howard!!

I hope my first attempt looks that good! ;) (I treated myself to a gently used PC 4212 for Christmas from a creeker....I haven't tried it yet!)

[Von Bickley]

Howard,

That looks good. How much trouble was it to set-up and make? :)

[Paul Greathouse]

Looks great Howard,

I've got the 4210 and it was amazing how easy it was to set up and use. My first set was very similar to yours, near perfect, and I had never used a dovetail jig before. The 4210 & 4212 are real winners for Porter Cable.

[Steve Clardy]

Looks good. ;)

I too have the 4212. Easy to set up.

[Howard Miller]

No glue. Just a test with some cherry. Was not too difficult to set-up. I read the manual many times to grasp what I needed to do. As many have said, the manual is not very clear.

Thanks for all the positive feedback.

I am confused with the two jig templates that come with the 4212 - the half & through dovetail. It appears that you can use the through jig to do half blind. If so, why do you need the separate half blind jig?

[Steve Clardy]

:confused: Don't know.

I've never removed the Half blind template. Thats all I use

[Bill White]

and get the expanded owners manual for the PC. Has a lot of additional stuff that it will do (probably more than I will need).
BTW, I picked up mine at a Lowe's for $99.00.
Bill

[Grant Morris]

The Porter Cable 4212 site used to have some videos on it showing its verstility. I don't know whether they are still there but they are worth a look if you are interested.

[James Gillespie, Jr.]

and get the expanded owners manual for the PC. Has a lot of additional stuff that it will do (probably more than I will need).
BTW, I picked up mine at a Lowe's for $99.00.
Bill
Was it a Lowes closeout? They only show the PC 4210 now, for $119.

[Ed Gibbons]

I am working on my first dovetails.....I am hoping to have the success you have had.

[Dewayne Reding]

You inspired me to finally bust my 4212 out of the box. I have had it about a year. Think I'll try a few DTs this weekend. I see no need for a high dollar jig if I can make them as good as yours.

[Ken Milhinch]

I find the PC4212 so good, I am left wondering why others are so expensive.:rolleyes:

[Brian Penning]

Best thing I ever did was to do as the manual suggests having 2 routers. 1 for the pins and 1 for the tails. Never have to make adjustments once set.

[Ken Milhinch]

Best thing I ever did was to do as the manual suggests having 2 routers. 1 for the pins and 1 for the tails. Never have to make adjustments once set.

Brian,
With the PC4212 on half blind dovetails, only 1 router is required :confused:

[Brian Penning]

Brian,
With the PC4212 on half blind dovetails, only 1 router is required :confused:

U R right. Mostly applies to through dovetails, though in the advanced manual it's mentioned 2 routers are good if you do the Half-blinds separately for whatever reason.