Super18 Jig
“Want to pamper yourself with a precision machine but can't afford a new Beemer? Buy a Leigh SuperJig. Want to learn/improve workshop skills but can't find a mentor? Read the SuperJig manual. Want to develop an addiction but don't want to go to jail? Try dovetailing. PBS would have you believe that dovetailing is an ancient and mystical art practiced by Amish craftsmen using handsaws and chisels. What a delight to discover dovetailing jigs for those of us unable to spend 30 minutes on one pin and tail. Several favorable online reviews of the Leigh SuperJig and its manual convinced me to buy this rather expensive piece of equipment. It was worth it.  The manual is an education in itself and, unlike documentation for electronic gizmos, appears to have been written by someone whose first language is English. Read it carefully and repeatedly there's a lot of valuable information in there. The jig is cleverly designed and impressively constructed. Since it is not purpose built for just one type of dovetail it does entail some patience and attention during the crucial set up and adjustment stage which will require two things: 1) some sacrificial pieces of wood the same thickness as will be used for the dovetails 2) a careful reading of the manual. The jig is most versatile with a router that can accept Leigh's proprietary bushing. Some routers will accept the bushing, some will need an adapter and some will just have to be replaced, unless you're willing to use a generic bushing and omit some of the more exotic dovetail options. I had to buy a new router which added to the cost (and the fun) but have yet to try any of the exotic dovetailing. Leigh sells an accessory Vacuum Router Support that provides much needed additional support for the router and a port for your shop vac to minimize the mess. It should probably be considered essential rather than optional. My first project was a pine box for the new router. It was good practice for setting up and creating through dovetails just one of the many types of dovetails the jig can make. I wasted a bit of pine learning how to set up and adjust the jig but that's what pine's for. The second project was a pine box for the SuperJig itself. This time using half blind dovetails and, once again, chewing up some pine during the set-up/adjustment process. The third project was a cherry and maple cabinet for a stereo receiver. It used half blind dovetails again but the jig had to be re set and adjusted due to using thinner wood than the previous half blind dovetails. In preparation for this I had planed some sacrificial setup pine the same thickness as the cherry and maple. So far the process and results of creating through and half blind dovetails has been quite rewarding and well worth the time and money invested.
- Bruce K, Sept 21 2009