Yessm it's JessEm???

[Al Launier]

So my wife has been asking what I'd like for Christmas and this turns out to much harder than I thought it would be. There really isn't anything that comes to mind as I've accumulated pretty much everything I want or need over the years, plus I'm running out of projects. Then along comes my daughter & son-in-law this morning to announce they will be having their first child this coming April. So, this opens up a whole new era of woodworking projects ahead of me.

I'm considering the JessEm 08350 Dowelling Jig Master Kit & the JessEm 08801 Precision Marking Gage Christmas woodworking gifts and wonder what you think of it, especially those of you who have these tools. Are they worth the cost, and are they as good as they claim to be?

As usual, your comments are appreciated.

[Ben Rivel]

Ive got the marking gauge. Its definitely overkill but its super precise and extremely well made. Im waiting for the Woodpeckers OTT marking gauge to arrive to compare the two.

[Cary Falk]

I have the 8300 Paralign doweling and it is a beast. Deadly accurate. I would guess the 8350 is just as accurate. I wish the 8300 had the ability to do 1/2" like the 8350. I am not sure that I like that id doesn't come with and integral clamp but a kreg auto adjust clamp might do the trick. Everything that I have seen from JessEm has been top notch. I don't have any experience with the marking gauge.

[Ben Rivel]

I have the 8300 Paralign doweling and it is a beast. Deadly accurate. I would guess the 8350 is just as accurate. I wish the 8300 had the ability to do 1/2" like the 8350. I am not sure that I like that id doesn't come with and integral clamp but a kreg auto adjust clamp might do the trick. Everything that I have seen from JessEm has been top notch. I don't have any experience with the marking gauge.
Oh yea, the 08300 is the only doweling jig I would consider if I were going to purchase one. Almost placed that order plenty of times but ended up getting a Domino in the end.

[George Bokros]

I have the 8350, it is a horse and very accurate. It is the only one I would buy.

[Edwin Santos]

I'm in the 08350 owners club, and I think it's an incredible tool. The offest indexing system is brilliant, everything is well made and deadly accurate. I've ended up using it way more than I thought I would. I think the system they demonstrate in their video of multiple rows of offset dowels will absolutely rival a mortise and tenon joint in a leg/apron application.

The only limitation I can think of is that the jig does not lend itself to angled surfaces. But this was probably not part of the design objective.

One recommendation - Bessey makes a clamp called the Kliklamp which I find works really well with the Jessem doweling jig because you can operate the clamp one handed while you hold the jig in place for clamping with the other hand.

[Al Launier]

I'm in the 08350 owners club, and I think it's an incredible tool. The offest indexing system is brilliant, everything is well made and deadly accurate. I've ended up using it way more than I thought I would. I think the system they demonstrate in their video of multiple rows of offset dowels will absolutely rival a mortise and tenon joint in a leg/apron application.

The only limitation I can think of is that the jig does not lend itself to angled surfaces. But this was probably not part of the design objective.

One recommendation - Bessey makes a clamp called the Kliklamp which I find works really well with the Jessem doweling jig because you can operate the clamp one handed while you hold the jig in place for clamping with the other hand.

Nice feedback. I just purchased the 08350 dowelling jig, but decided against the 08801 marking gage since I already had one even though it's not as nice as the JessEm marker. I couldn't see spending $100 for a marker.
I have a self-centering dowelling jig that should work for angled surfaces, plug a set of transfer punches that will transfer the location of dowel holes to mating pieces. So, I should be good to go.
As for clamping I have a couple of different size face clamps that I plan on using.