Best Dovetail Jig

A dovetail jig holds your boards and guides a router so you can cut matching tails and pins quickly and accurately. It is a big help for drawers, cabinets, and furniture.

Here are five dovetail jigs worth considering, from simple budget jigs to fully adjustable ones.

OUR TOP PICK

Our top pick is the General Tools 861 12-Inch Portable Aluminum Dovetail Jig. This light, low-cost aluminum jig handles basic through and half-blind dovetails. You can use it on your workbench or tabletop, and even a beginner can use it with ease.

Check Current Price

The Best Dovetail Jigs Are:

Product	Details
1. Porter-Cable 4216 Super Jig Dovetail Jig	1. Porter-Cable 4216 Super Jig Dovetail Jig	- Length: 12 inches - Weight: 26.5 pounds - Included Templates: 3	Check Current Price
2. Rockler Complete Dovetail Jig	2. Rockler Complete Dovetail Jig	- Length: 12 inches - Included Templates: 1 - Weight: 24 pounds	Check Current Price
3. Leigh Super 12-Inch Dovetail Jig	3. Leigh Super 12-Inch Dovetail Jig	- Length: 12 inches - Accessories: 3 router bits - Weight: 12.79 pound	Check Current Price
4. Porter-Cable 4212 12-Inch Deluxe Dovetail Jig	4. Porter-Cable 4212 12-Inch Deluxe Dovetail Jig	- Length: 12 inches - Accessories: 2 router bits and 2 templates - Weight: 25 pounds	Check Current Price
5. General Tools 861 12-Inch Portable Aluminum Dovetail Jig	5. General Tools 861 12-Inch Portable Aluminum Dovetail Jig Top Pick	- Length: 12 inches - Accessories: Router bits - Weight: 2.94 pounds	Check Current Price

1. Porter-Cable 4216 Super Jig Dovetail Jig

Use this right out of the box. Its single-piece steel base design ensures that there is no need for lengthy and rigorous assembly. You can use it to clamp wood stock with measurements from ¼ inch to 1-1/8 inch in thickness. It has a solid base and durable construction that makes this a sterling choice for more demanding woodworking needs.

Attach stock with ease through its cam-type clamps that are made from heavy-duty materials. The locking bars have sandpaper backing so that it grips the wood better. There are 3 templates included in your purchase. Setting up the templates is easy, thanks to the template alignment lines.

The three templates that come with this unit are template 4211 for rabbeted half-blind, half-blind, and sliding dovetails; template 4213 for through dovetails and box joints; and template 4215 for half-blind dovetails, miniature through, and miniature box joints.

This unit also comes with router bit depth gauges that allow you to set the depth accurately and quickly without taking measurements.

The steel base is paired with machined aluminum templates. The package also includes a wrench and two lock nuts.

You can use this tool for woodworking, cabinet, and furniture. It also comes with onboard instructions to guide you through the various applications. This tool also comes with a limited 3-year warranty.

You can clamp or bolt the unit to a bench for more stability when cutting.

Specs

Length: 12 inches
Weight: 26.5 pounds
Included Templates: 3

Pros

Easy to set up, which suits beginners.
The single-piece steel base needs little assembly.
You can clamp it directly to a tabletop or a workbench.
This dovetail jig is backed by a 3-year warranty.

Cons

You might have difficulties in creating joints with flush edges.

CHECK CURRENT PRICE

2. Rockler Complete Dovetail Jig

Rockler no longer appears to list this jig on its own website, so it may be discontinued; check availability before you plan around it. It uses a durable phenolic template. The kit included router bits, a collet adapter, a guide bushing, and an instruction booklet.

It weighs 24 pounds, which keeps it stable on the bench. It was designed for the most common dovetail joints rather than unusual ones.

You can use this tool to cut stock that is 11 inches or less in width and from 0.5 to 0.75 inches thick when cutting through joints or half-blind. This is also a great option for those that do not need to cut unusual dovetail joints or oversized wood pieces.

One of the major reasons why users love this unit is that it is very easy and quick to set up. It is also very easy to use. It comes with preset stop positions for the possible sizes of stock you are likely to cut.

The clamping bars of this machine are made with an abrasive surface that holds stock better. This dovetail jig is not as versatile as the Porter-Cable, as it comes with only one template; and this limits your cutting to only through and half-blind dovetail joints.

Specs

Length: 12 inches
Included Templates: 1
Weight: 24 pounds

Pros

This unit has a solid construction.
It is very easy to use.
Preset stops for common stock sizes.

Cons

The setup and assembly might be a bit more tedious than some people expect.
Only one template, so it is limited to through and half-blind dovetails.
May be discontinued.

CHECK CURRENT PRICE

3. Leigh Super 12-Inch Dovetail Jig

This versatile dovetail jig handles boards up to 12 inches wide. It cuts variably spaced through and half-blind dovetails in stock up to 1 inch thick.

The one-piece fingers are completely adjustable. If there is a joint pattern you want to accomplish, you can easily do so with its easy positioning system.

Its Leigh e-Bush guide bushing lets you fine-tune joint fit. You can make adjustments with the utmost precision.

Per Leigh, the Super Jig also cuts sliding dovetails and 5/16 and 5/8 inch box joints out of the box. The included bits have 8mm shanks, and a 1/2 inch to 8mm collet reducer comes with the jig.

The built-in clamps are easy to use and hold the work steady. The jig is pricey, but it is worth it if you want variable spacing. Leigh recommends a midsize 1-1/2 to 2-1/4 HP router.

Specs

Length: 12 inches
Accessories: 3 router bits
Weight: 12.79 pounds

Pros

It features solid construction
Variable spacing for hand-cut-looking joints
Cuts through, half-blind, and sliding dovetails plus box joints
Includes a user guide, and Leigh offers instructional videos online

Cons

It is quite expensive for a dovetail jig.

CHECK CURRENT PRICE

4. Porter-Cable 4212 12-Inch Deluxe Dovetail Jig

If you get this dovetail jig, you will get a 4211 template to make half-blind, sliding, and rabbeted half-blind dovetails. It also includes a 4213 to create box joints and through dovetails. You can set up the alignments with ease, thanks to its template alignment lines. You can tweak the set-up and the depth to correspond to your specific needs

It comes with detailed instructions, so beginners can get started without much assembly. It has a single-piece steel base like the 4216.

You can clamp or bolt this machine to your workbench, making it more convenient to use. This unit can handle stocks that are between 0.25 to 1.125 inches in thickness.

This unit is also very quick and easy to set up, thanks to its router bit depth gauges and template alignment aids. With the depth gauges, you no longer need to make measurements, which means increased speed in your projects.

The Porter-Cable 4212 also comes with a non-sliding clamp surface that stops the wood from moving when making cuts. It also features onboard instructions to guide you through the various applications.

Specs

Length: 12 inches
Accessories: 2 router bits and 2 templates
Weight: 25 pounds

Pros

It is heavy-duty and can handle demanding tasks
Assembly does not take a long time.
Two templates cover the most common dovetails and box joints.
This unit comes with a 3-year limited warranty.
Costs less than the 4216.

Cons

There were just some people who said they had issues with the alignment.

CHECK CURRENT PRICE

5. General Tools 861 12-Inch Portable Aluminum Dovetail Jig

The last dovetail jig on this guide is the General Tools 861 Portable Aluminum Dovetail Jig. This is a 12-inch dovetail jig that is ideal for furniture building, woodworking, and cabinet making.

It also comes with router bits to make this process easier. If you are looking for a budget-friendly dovetail jig that can make precise joints or you are a novice, this tool is made for you.

It has a single-piece aluminum body that resists corrosion. It comes with a 1/2-inch 14-degree dovetail router bit and handles basic through and half-blind dovetail joints.

Its self-aligning design helps beginners: follow the template with your router and the joint lines up.

Compared to other dovetail jigs within this range, this tool is more lightweight. This makes it much easier for beginners to use. It is also very portable and you can transport it with ease. The General Tools 861 is ready for use right out-of-the-box.

Because you reposition it along the board, it can handle wide boards, and you can adjust the fit to create tighter or looser joints. With the integrated clamps of this unit, you can clamp it securely to your workbench. This would provide you with a more sturdy and stable device when making cuts.

Specs

Length: 12 inches
Accessories: Router bits
Weight: 2.94 pounds

Pros

It is super lightweight, portable, and very easy to transport.
It guarantees efficient cutting, thanks to its double-sided design
It is very easy to use
It comes with integrated clamps for high stability
You do not need to break the bank to purchase this product

Cons

Fewer joint types than the larger jigs; no box joints or variable spacing

CHECK CURRENT PRICE

Which One Should You Get?

Great For Beginners: Porter-Cable 4216 Super Jig Dovetail Jig

Its three templates, depth gauges, and alignment lines make it easy to start with and cover most joints a beginner needs.

Value For Your Money: Rockler Complete Dovetail Jig

It covers through and half-blind dovetails with a simple setup. Check availability first, since Rockler no longer seems to list it.

Perfect For Professionals: Leigh Super 12-Inch Dovetail Jig

If you are a professional who wants to produce a wide range of joints, this will definitely serve you well. It has a lot of flexibility, thanks to its adjustable features. It is also durable and solid.

Affordable Dovetail Jig: Porter-Cable 4212 12-Inch Deluxe Dovetail Jig

If you are looking for a more affordable dovetail jig, set your sights on this one. It costs less than the 4216 and still covers through dovetails, half-blind dovetails, and box joints.

Lightweight And Ease Of Use: General Tools 861 12-Inch Portable Aluminum Dovetail Jig

If you are looking for a super lightweight dovetail jig that is very easy to use, then you might want to consider this option. It weighs less than 3 pounds.

What To Look For In A Dovetail Jig

If you want to gain more confidence in buying a dovetail jig, here are a few more things you need to look for:

Templates

Check which templates come with the jig and which joints each one cuts. They should be easy to install and made of durable aluminum or phenolic.

Careful template setup is what makes joints fit, so follow the manual's alignment steps.

Variable or Fixed Template?

Fixed Template

The conventional fixed templates feature one-piece aluminum construction and they require minimal setup. They will provide you with strong and even joints, but it would be obvious that they are machined.

Variable Template

Variable templates come with movable guide fingers that allow you to modify both the spacing and width of the tails. With a variable template, you can create amazing joints that look hand-made. However, you would be paying more, as they are more expensive than fixed templates.

Adjustable Features

Adjustable features let you fine-tune fit and spacing for the design you have in mind, even when no fixed template matches it.

Durable Base

Look for a solid, stable base that won't flex as you rout.

Portability and Weight

Lighter jigs are easier to move and store, while heavier ones stay put on the bench.

Steel-based jigs are heavier and more stable. Aluminum jigs are lighter and more portable.

Clamps

Look for one with a strong clamp mechanism. It should be able to grasp the wood effectively so that it does not slip.

Warranty

Look for a long warranty that covers repair or replacement of defective parts.

Price

Compare prices against the joints you actually need.

Manual

A clear manual matters, especially if this is your first jig. Some manufacturers also offer instructional videos.

Versatility

Versatility means the kinds of joints a jig can cut. Match it to your projects.

The best dovetail jig is capable of making all dovetail joints ranging from half-blind, through, variable, and sliding joints.

Assembly

Pick one that needs minimal assembly.

Safety

Unplug the router before changing bits or guide bushings. Make sure the guide bushing is centered and the bit cannot touch the template, and wear eye protection and hearing protection, since routers are loud.

Conclusion

To round out your shop, head to our homepage and find out what other tools you can add to your equipment. Check out our buying guides and product reviews to be guided on which ones to buy.

Our top pick for the best dovetail jig is the General Tools 861 12-Inch Portable Aluminum Dovetail Jig because it is very easy to use, light, affordable, and works on a workbench or tabletop. If you want box joints or variable spacing, step up to the Leigh.

Sources

Leigh Super Jigs Overview, Leigh Tools
Occupational Noise Exposure, OSHA