6 Best Dovetail Jig

Any woodworker can tell you that achieving the dovetail joint is not easy work by hand. As aesthetically appealing as it may be, you need to be a professional with years of experience to properly achieve the dovetail joint. This is a reason why many use the help of a dovetail jig to accurately cut the wood with precision in a timely manner.

Now that you have decided to buy a dovetail jig it gets tough to select which one is best suited for you. Before we get into that, we need to completely understand what a dovetail jig is.

What is dovetail jig?

Dovetail is a technique to cut wood at the joint of furniture and other wood art that provides a strong bind between the two woods joined together.

You can see from the image that cutting wood to perfectly fit this way by hand would not be an easy job. It would require a lot of time and even with that, it will not be an easy task to have the two pieces of wood fit perfectly together. This is where a dovetail jig comes handy.

The jig allows you to cut wood in with efficiency and speed into a dovetail. Ensuring the two or more piece of wood fit perfectly together. It can be used to cut different type of dovetails from pins, half-blind to standard. So rather than spending countless hours trying to cut dovetail in wood by hand why not employ a tool made just for it that makes life much easier for you.

When purchasing a dovetail you should consider the following:

Now that we have a better understand of the dovetail jig, we have handpicked the 6 best dovetail jig you can purchase today.

Porter-Cable 4216 Super Jig - Dovetail Jig

If you are looking for a versatile dovetail jig then look no further than the Porter Cable 4216. It comes with a few different templates which allow you to get the desired type of cut you are looking for. It comes with a template for miniature cutting of box joints while also one that allows you to cut different variations of the half-blind dovetail. It comes with up to 9 different templates so you can get various dovetail joints.

The build of the jig is very sturdy and durable. As long as it is stored properly, you should have no issues with it not lasting for years. The Porter Cable 4216 gives you complete control of the cut you want as the router comes with a bit depth gauge which enables you to set the depths of the bit without the need of measurements. Speeding up the whole process. It is also fairly easy to use for any level of woodworker from beginners to professionals. Overall, if you want a dovetail jig that makes dovetail simple and fast then the Porter Cable 4216 is your best bet.

Leigh Super 12" Dovetail Jig

Similar to the Porter Cable 4216, the Leigh Super 12" offers you versatility and superior quality. It also provides the right precision to make the perfect dovetail joints. When you open the box, you will most likely get overwhelmed with the number of different parts you see. Don't worry, once you assemble the jig it will get a lot less complicated.

The jig allows you to cut different sizes of wood cutting the joints into your desired size. You can cut different type of dovetail with the Leigh Super 12" from half-blind to standard. It also comes with a instructional DVD for you to watch if you are a beginner. Overall, if you want a simple to use and assemble jig then the Leigh Super 12" is a great option.

Woodstock D2796 12" Dovetail Jig

If you want a jig that allows you to quickly lock 2 boards in one action and provide you with perfect dovetail joint then we recommend the Woodstock D2796 12". The jig is on the heavier side but the build is great for durability. Due to its size and weight, you will most probably be better of setting it on your benchtop and leaving it there.

It is easy to use and we had no problem once it was set up. It has modifiable knobs instead of wing nuts which allowed for precision and great handling. The Woodstock D2796 12" allows you to cut stock ranges from 1/2 to 1 1/4" in thickness while up to 12" in width. Overall, the jig offers great precision at a reasonable price so we highly recommend it.

MLCS 6406 Pins and Tails Half Blind Dovetail Jig Set

The MLCS 6406 Dovetail Jig is a compact tool that will enable you to make the type of dovetail joints you like. You can easily position it anywhere you like in your workshop and move it around as it is not as heavy as the other jigs on the list.

The jig is capable of cutting up to 1" thick sides and front and up to 12" in width. It allows you to cut at once each side of the dovetail, making the process fast and efficient. We found the jig easy to use and without too many complicated tools. Overall, if you are looking for a compact and convenient jig that provides precision cut then you should give MLCS 6406 Dovetail Jig a try.

Sommerfeld's New Dovetail Jig

A simple to assembly jig, the Sommerfeld's New Dovetail Jig, is as simple as jig gets. Without many additional part, it is easy to use and making the process less complicated for beginners. The jig allows you to cut only dovetail joints but at a fast rate. You just slide the wood in and turn the knobs for quick cuts. It has bar clamps which ensure the wood firmly stays in place.

The jig doesn't have a cool design like the Porter Cable 4216 but for starters this is the perfect jig. Without any complicated tools, you can easy use this jig to get our desired dovetail joints.

General Tools Pro Dovetailer II Dovetail Jig

With over a century experience in making tools, General Tools has really worked to perfect the art of making tools for craftsman. It shows in the Pro Dovetailer II Dovetail Jig. The jig can easily be used on standalone routers along with router tables, due to its slightly unusual design. It allows you to have complete control of they type of dovetail joint you want. It allows you to cut pins up to .5" with a thickness of 1".

Like the Sommerfeld's New Dovetail Jig, the Pro Dovetailer II Dovetail Jig doesn't come with many parts so it is easy to use. It doesn't have too many different variations of dovetail joints however. So the tool is great for beginners.

With that we end our list of the 6 best dovetail jig. We recommend beginners to start off with one of the lower jigs on our list like Sommerfeld’s New Dovetail Jig while more experienced woodworkers can opt for Porter Cable 4216 jig. No matter which jig you go with, you will get exceptionally fast and precise dovetail jig.