Anyone use or heard of Katiejig for dovetail cuts?

[Rick Reinsma]

Would you reccomend this product? Other than the limitations to only cut through dovetails, would you say it is easier than the Leigh or Omni jig?
Thanks .....Rick

[frank shic]

haven't used the katie jig personally, but i've used a similar jig that i built with the stot's dovetail master. those built-in handles and the alignment bars are pretty helpful on the katie jig. it would work best if you have two routers set up with a dovetail bit and a straight bit.

the omnijig and all the other half-blind dovetail jigs out there are a little bit faster since you cut the pins and tails simultaneously with just one router. with the omnijig's wide working surface, you can actually squeeze in all four boards of an average-sized drawer to speed up the process even more. the clamping is a lot faster too since it's built right into the jig.

both of these types of jig takes some trial and error to get the router bit height set just right. now that i can cut them by hand, i'd rather forego the dust and noise!

[Bob Genovesi]

I've heard of them and read some articles and they're supposed to be pretty slick. I have a Leigh D4R and it works well so I'll stick with it.

[Michael Gibbons]

Not too long ago I received a Marc Sommerfeld catalog and he sells the Katie jig. It says it's made to be used on a router table and has extra accessories that can cut half blind DT's but they don't look like classic dt's. They are more rounded.

[Vince Shriver]

go to: www.woodshopdemos.com/dtshoot-1.htm (http://www.woodshopdemos.com/dtshoot-1.htm)

[Jim Eller]

Rick,

Here is a little YouTube video by Charles Neil on the Katie jig.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=2C9aOPsVd9w

He also has some more info on his website if you go to his online video section.

http://www.antiquesbuiltdaily.com/

I personally used a PC 4212 and just couldn't get it to do what I thought was satisfactory.

I purchased a DC24 Akeda just recently and I wouldn't part with it for anything. It is so easy to setup and use and I have had perfect through dovetails on everyone I've done, including my very first test cut. I have just recently completed 10 small boxes for Christmas presents using 1/4" oak, walnut and hickory and every joint was flawless.

It may not be for everyone but I wouldn't part with it.

Jim

[Will Blick]

Jim, unrelated question.... how did your town get the name Kodak?

[Jim Eller]

Will,

I sent you an e-mail.

Jim

[Johnny Kleso]

I was eyeballing that for a long time..
I had plans to buy just the fingers and buy my own rails from 80/20's Garage @eBay who most likely made the extrudend aluminum rails..

I have long lenghts of it I use as a saw guide..

But I seen at a IFW the Chestmate and is hands down the best through jig other than a Liegh of 1/2 blinds and through

http://www.praziusa.com/chestmate.html

[John Grossi]

As Michael said, Marc Sommerfeld promotes and sells this jig. I bought Marc's height consistent raised panel cutters and some of his videos. I had a question about his cutters and Marc personally took the call. If I were in need of a dovetail jig, I would consider the Katie jig he sells. He is very knowledgeable and seems to sell high quality items.

[Ray Newman]

I have never seen the "ChestMate" demonstrated, but just from watching the film loop, seems to me that moving the jig for ea. cut on ea. board is going to get tiring after awhile. Reminds of the various Incra-type jigs.

I've also never seen a demonstration of the Katie Jig. My only concern is just how large a board can you set on end & dovetail on a router table before it becomes usteady, vibrates execessively, etc.?

I've used the Keller Dovetail Sytem (1601 & 2401).There are two "entry-level" jigs (1500 & 2200). I've found them very easy to use, fast, repeatable, & accurate.

http://www.kellerdovetail.com/

A 2004 review from Woodsmith magazine: http://www.kellerdovetail.com/reviews/r-woodsmith-2004.html

[Michael Gibbons]

I forgot to mention in my previous post that you could use the Keller dovetail jigs in the same manner by flipping them upside down.