Is the PC 4212 Dovetail Jig the one to buy?

[Mike Kelsey]

Although I want to do hand work as much as possible, I think a jig for the kitchen cabinet drawers I'm going to start on next spring is probably a smarter move. I haven't read up much on these things but see the high ratings for the 4212 on Amazon & the supposed low price right now. The usual cliche question from a beginner not taking the time to thoroughly research these things:D: is the 4212, for the price, a good way to go? Now you can commence throwing the rotten tomatoes.......

[Don Wacker]

Although I want to do hand work as much as possible, I think a jig for the kitchen cabinet drawers I'm going to start on next spring is probably a smarter move. I haven't read up much on these things but see the high ratings for the 4212 on Amazon & the supposed low price right now. The usual cliche question from a beginner not taking the time to thoroughly research these things:D: is the 4212, for the price, a good way to go? Now you can commence throwing the rotten tomatoes.......

It works so I bought a pair. Its not perfect but if your doing alot of drawers its great. I also have a DR4 for other things but just keep the PC's along with a pair of 690's set up just for drawer boxes.

Don

[Cary Falk]

I am still happy with mine. There is a supplemental manual online to do special dovetails. If you can't hind it, I think I have it saved womewhere.

[Mark Ashmeade]

I'm happy with mine. They don't bounce well though. DAMHIKT

[Ken Shoemaker]

+1 for the 4212 and two PC690's. I just used mine today and was thinking how glad I got it instead of spending alot of money on something I'd have to replace later. Go for it, you wont be sorry.

Ken

[Ray Newman]

If you know that you will only dovetail boxes, drawers, etc., 12" or less, the 4212 will suit.

But if you stay with woodworking, sooner or later, you will want to dovetail a furniture frame, chest, larger box, etc., that will be in excess of 12". Then, the only choice will be do it by hand; or, buy a bigger jig.

Think seriously about what you want to do -- now and in the future -- and possibly look at ways to buy a “previously owned” or new wider dovetail jig so as not to limit future projects or incur another expense.

[Bruce Wrenn]

I have a couple of 4212's. Bought the second used as seller included several Whiteside bits with it. You can take the thru dovetail comb off and use it either like the Keller, or on the router table like the Katie.

[Tom Esh]

I've used mine a lot. The only thing I dislike about it is no dust collection attachment (and routing dovetails without one makes a heck of a mess). Anymore I only use it in the warmer months - either outside or as close to the open door as possible. Otherwise I do the joints with a drawer lock or lock miter bit on the router table.

[Cary Falk]

Here is the advanced manual.
http://www.portercable.com/jigs/dovetail/SupplementalManual.pdf

[Curt Putnam]

FWIW, this time last year I was agonizing over which of the jigs to get knowing that the initial project was building blanket chests. I went with the Leigh D4R Pro and have been happy with both the jig and the decision.

[Rob Holcomb]

I bought a Keller Dovetail jig and have never regretted it. I can make dovetail joints as long as I want or as short as I want. What I really like is that I don't have to worry about allignment of the dovetails in the boards. If I need a finished 4" board for a drawer, I use a 5" board and trim it to size on the table saw when done. Too much scrap you say? My scraps either become part of a cutting board or glued to other scraps for turning on my lathe so there is virtually no scrap left behind.

[Tom Ewell]

I've used mine a lot. The only thing I dislike about it is no dust collection attachment (and routing dovetails without one makes a heck of a mess). Anymore I only use it in the warmer months - either outside or as close to the open door as possible. Otherwise I do the joints with a drawer lock or lock miter bit on the router table.
I put together a rig for dust collection on my 4216, keeps the router stable and picks up pretty much all of the dust.

Adding brushes to the to the sides to "seal" the thing in closed position would help with even more collection.
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[Cary Falk]

I put together a rig for dust collection on my 4216, keeps the router stable and picks up pretty much all of the dust.

Adding brushes to the to the sides to "seal" the thing in closed position would help with even more collection.
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I have seen the Rockler dust hood adapted with success also.

[Charles Brown]

+1 for the Keller. I use the 1601 and you can route two tailboards at a time when placed face to face . Its a nice, simple, fast system for through dovetails.

[Ken Shoemaker]

Mr. Ewell,

I got a "woodie" :D seeing your setup!!!! I literally stand in a shower of dust when using the jig. I am moving this to the front of the line of projects. Thanks for letting me see it.

Ken

[Tom Esh]

I put together a rig for dust collection on my 4216, keeps the router stable and picks up pretty much all of the dust.

Very nice work.

[jonathan eagle]

Yes the pc4212 is a great jig. As some have pointed out any jig can be made to work.

[Tom Ewell]

Mr. Ewell,

I got a "woodie" :D seeing your setup!!!! I literally stand in a shower of dust when using the jig. I am moving this to the front of the line of projects. Thanks for letting me see it.

Ken

Yer welcome (I think :))



Very nice work.

Can't lay claim to the basic design, saw similar configurations via the web where more creative minds managed to put it together using mdf and plexiglas.

Cobbled mine together using what was on hand making the thing a little more complicated than it probably needed to be.

The "platform" slides in and out and height is adjusible to accomodate any stock thickness that the 4216 can handle.

I've thrown in a few more pix to show more of the parts if it helps anyone.
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[Mike Kelsey]

Thanks for all the replies. AS a novice I have started to research these jigs & came across the Incra LS Positioner Systems. I thought I would start a different thread on those because of the approach.