Leigh or Porter Cable dovetail jig?

[Tom Steinke]

I have pretty much decided to go with the new 24" Porter Cable due out this spring or the Leigh 24" . Are their any thoughts on weather to wait till May or just go with the Leigh?:confused: I would appreciate any thoughts you all may Have. Thanks. Tom

[Steve Roxberg]

I have the Leigh and like it a lot.

I have seen a video of the new Porter-Cable and it really looks nice. I'd wait to see what the street price onthe Porter-Cable is before I bought, that is if I had the abilty to wait.

[John Ricci]

I have a D4 and am more than satisfied with it. The PC seems to be another version of the same animal with some interesting mods. I really need to read more about it to make a credible opinion but for my needs "why fix it if it ain't broke" applies here.

[Jim Becker]

Well, I own and love the D4. But I have to say that the "new" PC looks very interesting in the ads. It will be interesting to see how that pans out once folks have their hands on it and pricing is available.

[David Genrich]

I have been looking at the PC one as well - but could not get enough information on the web site. I sent an email to Porter Cable support asking for more details several weeks ago - but no reply.

Here are my notes so far, which when I had them done, I planned on posting them here, asking the exact same question you are asking.


Porter Cable Omnijig vs. Leigh D1600

I am looking at getting a varable spaced dovetail jig. I was thinking of the Leigh D1600, but noticed that Porter Cable now has on out that seems like it might be better. So, I am posting some info here, and trying to get advice from others.

The Porter Cable Omnijig will not be avaialble until May 2007.

Porter Cable Omnijig (Model 55160): http://porter-cable.com/omnijig/ (http://porter-cable.com/omnijig/)
Leigh D1600: http://www.leighjigs.com/d1600.php (http://www.leighjigs.com/d1600.php)

Details
===========
Cost (from web site):
D1600: $359.00
Extras:
Leigh Router Vacuum Attachment: $44.00
7 pc. 8mm shank router bit set: $89.00

Omnijig: ?

Shank Size:
D1600: 8 mm (A 1/2" to 8mm collet reducer is included)
Omnijig: ?

Dovetail Angle:
D1600: 8-degrees
Omnijig: ?

Dovetail Bit Size:
D1600: 1/2 x 13/16
Omnijig: ?

Straight Bit Size:
D1600: 5/16 x 1
Omnijig: ?

Workpiece Min Thickness:
D1600: 1/8"
Omnijig: 1/8"

Workpiece Max Thickness:
D1600: 13/16"
Omnijig: 1 1/2"

Workpiece Max Lenght:
D1600: 16"
Omnijig: 16"

Pins Min Spacing (on center):
D1600: 7/8"
Omnijig: ?

Pins Min Width:
D1600: 1/4"
Omnijig: ?

Through Dovetails:
D1600: Yes, up to 13/16" thick
Omnijig: Yes - details unknown

Half-Blind Dovetails:
D1600: Yes, up to 1" thick
Omnijig: Yes, details unknown


If anyone could help with the missing information - or any other information, it would be appricated.

Thanks,
David Genrich

[Aaron Beaver]

Doesn't look like the site says anything about the Omnijig, Does it have variable finger spacing like the Leigh?

[Don Bullock]

Like Jim, I've only seen the ad. It looks like the PC is very much like the D1600, but with some new features. It will be very interesting when they finally announce a price and introduction date. I certainly would wait to see if I was in the market for one right now. Perhaps, if the price is right I may actually be in the market for one.

[Scott Thornton]

I have the D4R and I think it's an incredible piece of equipment.

[Steve Roxberg]

During the IWF show in Atlanta there was a video of the unit running around, I tried to find it again and couldn't does anyone else remember seeing the video?

[Anthony Anderson]

Tom, I have had the 24" Omnijig for about two years now and I really like it. I have never had a chance to use the Leigh, so I cannot compare. After I opened the box on the PC and watched the video I was making dovetails in less than an hour. It is really an easy machine to use. So I would say that the new PC will be greatly improved. I would think that the street price will be less than the $549 price listed on the PC website. Good Luck, Bill

[Mike Heidrick]

24" Omnijig is what I have. I have the templates for it as well thanks to Amazon sales. It does anything I have ever needed it to do. The video is good and really helped me get started making dovetails. It also VERY solid and weighs 60 or so pounds.

I want to make a nice stand for it.