Frequently Asked Questions: Buying a Gifkins Dovetail Jig

By: Gifkins Dovetail Jig

Buying a Gifkins Dovetail Jig

 

What are the Advantages over other jigs?

• Most dovetail jigs use the router by hand. The Gifkins Dovetail Jig uses the router mounted in a table which gives the operator much more control as well as greater safety.
• The jig is simpler to set up and use than any other jig on the market.
• You only need to cut trial joints the first time each template is used. Once set up to give the fit you want, each template will always give that same fit no matter what thickness timber you are using.
• The jig is fully adjustable, so when you get your cutters re-sharpened you can re-adjust the fit.
• No special fittings are needed for your router or your router table

 

What types of joints do the templates cut?
There are 8 different templates that are all interchangeable on the Gifkins Dovetail Jig.

• The A series, B series and H series templates cut through dovetail joints.
• The F series templates cut finger joints (box joints).

 

Will each template cut only one thickness?
No, each template will cut a range of thicknesses

• The A10, A20 and F5 templates cover the range from 5 mm up to 13 mm thick.
• The B10, B20 and F15 templates cover the range from 13 mm up to 22 mm thick.
• The H10 and H20 templates cover the range from 2 mm up to 10 mm thick.
• It is possible to go thinner than given above with any of the templates by changing the procedure slightly.
• It is not possible to go any thicker than given above as the cutters would not be long enough.

 

Which templates are best for the most popular thicknesses of timbers?
Dressed timber is commonly available in 12 mm (as lining boards) or in 19mm

• For 12 mm use the A10 template
• For 19 mm use the B10 template

 

Are the cutters ¼” shank or ½” shank?
The cutters for the B templates are ½” shank and all the other templates use ¼” shank cutters. It is not possible to use ½” shank cutters with the A, H or F templates.
 

Which templates should I get?
The template choice is determined by the thickness of the timber you wish to join.

• For Jewellery boxes, use the A10, A20 or the F5 templates.
• For blanket chests and furniture sized work use the B10, B20 or the F15 templates.
• For small boxes, use the H10 or H20 templates.
• The A10 is by far our most popular template.

 

What are the package options?
Our packages include the jig itself with one or more templates (whichever ones you want), the cutters and fittings to suit, 2 Allen keys plus detailed instructions and spare adjusting shim. The current packages are:

• Standard Package: Jig with any one template
• Deluxe Package: Jig with any 2 templates from 2 different series
• Masters Package: Jig with any 3 templates from 3 different series
• Premium Package: Jig with any 4 templates from 4 different series
• “The Lot” package: Jig with all 8 templates. This also includes 2 Bessey clamps, the clamp holders and the Variable Space Upgrade.

 

Note: It is a little bit cheaper to buy extra templates as a package than to add them later, so the bigger the package the bigger the saving. With any package you can mix and match the templates.
 

Which package would be best for boxmaking?
Depending on your budget, the following packages are best for boxmaking:

• Standard package with the A10 template
• Deluxe package with the A10 and F5 templates
• Masters package with the A10, F5 and H10 templates

 

Can I add extra templates at a later date?
All the templates are available by mail order from Gifkins Dovetail, either as the templates themselves or as template upgrades (template, cutters to suit, backing boards plus any other fittings required for that template).
 

Is there a demonstration DVD for the jig?
Yes, there are 2 demo DVDs, one for dovetailing and another one for the F5 finger joint. As yet there is not one for the F15 but it is similar in use to the F5. The dovetail demo is very comprehensive (75 min) and is a must for those wanting to get the most out of their jig. It includes chapters that are useful for finger joints as well as dovetail joints (the finger joint templates are not mentioned as such because the dovetail DVD was recorded before they came out). These DVDs are optional extras with all packages except “The Lot”.
 

Is it best to have a complete jig setup for each of my templates?
In schools and busy workshops it is best to set up each template on it’s own jig so that everything is always set and adjusted ready to go. For one-man workshops it is only a matter of a couple of minutes to swap templates back and forth on the one jig.
 

Should I get a close spacing or a wide spacing template?
With the dovetail templates there is a close spaced template and a wide spaced template in each series.
 

Modern hand cut dovetails are often cut with a close spacing, as this highlights the joinery. Traditionally dovetails were cut with a wide space between the pins, as with fewer pins they were quicker to cut.

• The A10, B10 and H10 templates have close spacing
• The A20, B20 and H20 templates have wide spacing
• Either spacing gives a strong joint.
• The close spaced templates are more versatile, as you can use narrower boards and still have 2 pins.

 

Can I use any clamps with the jig?
There is a wide range of clamps that will work with the jig, both quick action and G clamps. Clamps with a 4” capacity are best. Ideally you want clamps with an offset head and tail so they will reach over the stops on the jig when using thin timber. The clamps that I have found best are a quick action clamp made by Bessey in Germany. These are so easy to use that I have made clamp holders specially to suit, which hold the clamp at the right angle and keep it safely above the cutter. These clamps and clamp holders are available from Gifkins Dovetail as optional extras (they are included in “the Lot” package).
 

What are the templates made from?
The templates are CNC machined in Phenolic resin, an extremely tough and very stable material, often used where dimensional stability is critical. As there is a bearing on the cutter that runs against the template, you should never wear a template out.
 

Do I need to buy a second stop?
The jig now comes standard with a second stop, it is only the Old Model that came with 1 stop.
 

Do I have to use special cutters?
Yes, all the templates use cutters that are specially made for the jig by Carb-I-Tool in Melbourne, and it does have to be these cutters. All our packages come complete with the cutters you need for the templates you are getting. Replacement cutters are available from Gifkins Dovetail and our agents in the US and UK, or from Carb-I-Tool and their agents.
 

Are the cutters carbide tipped?
The H dovetail cutter is solid carbide and both the F cutters are solid carbide spirals. All the others are carbide tipped. They all come fully assembled with a bearing on the shank.