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Post by art3427 on Mar 1, 2010 23:54:55 GMT -6
If you love dovetails but hate cutting them, give this a lookin' over. www.youtube.com/user/rgifkinsThe other competitor I like is the Router Boss. It is an American made improvement of the Woodrat. The Gifkin only does through DT's and box joints, while the RB does through, half blind and sliding DT's as well as box joints and both mortise and tenons. But it is also twice the price of the Gifkin. I do like the extra capacity of the RB, but I like the price of the Gifkin. What do you guys think about these options? art |
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Post by TDHofstetter on Mar 2, 2010 0:47:47 GMT -6
Boy, that looks expensive to me! That's Australian dollars, though... and I don't know what the exchange rate is so it might not be too bad. Shipping doesn't seem huge...
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Post by dcarter636 on Mar 2, 2010 8:14:43 GMT -6
Exchange rates are near even these days, AU$1.00=US$.90, CAN$1.00=US$.95.
Shipping can be gawd awful though; Last month we paid $155 to ship a laptop via USPS to our daughter in Australia. It's worse coming this way.
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sawduster
Moderator 
The Motley Crew
Posts: 1,831
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Post by sawduster on Mar 2, 2010 8:30:02 GMT -6
It is available here at Japan Woodworker for $269 US, for the full size one. Well, I guess you gotta type in "Gifkins Jig" in the search box to find it. |
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Post by art3427 on Mar 3, 2010 9:32:41 GMT -6
I looked a lot closer at the Gifkin and I'm not so sure it is that much cheaper than the Router Boss (RB). I'd have to buy nearly every template for all the various material thicknesses I use. Also it seems each template requires a special router bit. Add all that up and the price gap gets much smaller. I think the Gifkin would be great if you only ran one size material for all DT'ed projects.
I know the RB is expensive at first glance. That was my first perception. But then I got to thinking about how much I would spend on a good table saw and accessories if I were in that market. That could hit $700.00+ pretty quick. Next there is the elevation of craftsmanship my work assumes when I use DT and M&T joints. It really puts one's work above and beyond any other competing joinery. That is why I am looking at this really seriously. Money wise only gonna' get one shot at this and I really want the best "bang" for my hard earned bucks.
I'm gonna have to think about this more.
art
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Post by dcarter636 on Mar 3, 2010 9:56:02 GMT -6
$700 would buy a whole quiver full of nice dovetail saws and dovetail chisels. Best of all the style, size, and spacing choices would be infinite. ;D
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cdols
WoW Member
Posts: 10
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Post by cdols on Mar 3, 2010 10:29:16 GMT -6
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Post by Mark T on Mar 3, 2010 10:40:34 GMT -6
I am watching this thread with great interest. I am in the market for something. Price asside, one downfall I have with the Router Boss is it's physical size. It is so large it would have to have a dedicated space, just like a stationary tool. Most of the others can go into a shop corner or into a cabinet. What else ya got?  |
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Post by TDHofstetter on Mar 3, 2010 11:15:17 GMT -6
I've seen the Stots - never used one, but a good friend had one. Technically, it's not a jig at all - it's a template you use to make your own jigs, any size, any time. Bung up a jig, make another one on the spot. Very handy. Funny thing about Stots, though - you never legally own it, you only license its use forever. You can't legally make duplicates of the Stots itself. Sez so right in the paperwork. |
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Joe Lyddon
WoW Member
Banned.
Sam Maloof & I Dec. 2, 2005
Posts: 2,507
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Post by Joe Lyddon on Mar 3, 2010 20:21:12 GMT -6
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Post by art3427 on Mar 3, 2010 22:29:44 GMT -6
The MLCS templates appear to be just like the Gifkin once you attach the center block. The $50.00 price tag seems to include the router bits and guide bushings.
I gonna' have to give this some thought.
art
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