Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I own Leigh D4R jig and love it. So, after doing some research on mortising devices I knew I wanted one made by Leigh. However, I had a hard time to decide whether to buy the Super FMT or the PRO model. I got the FMT PRO as I came across a really good deal.
I will not repeat other reviewers and Leigh's own claims on what this machine can do. It is all true. The jig's precision and ease of use are remarkable to say the least. As long as you follow Leigh's simple procedures accurately you will get mortises and tenons of such a precision you never dreamed you could do. It is very simple and fast too. In my opinion, it is much easier to master this machine than, say, the dovetail jig.
OK, I was trying to find the advantages of the PRO model over the SUPER model on the INTERNET and pretty much found nothing except for the statements like the aluminum block model is more solidly build and that the PRO model has a dust port integrated. I never had a chance to compare both jigs side by side but from watching the Super FMT on youtube in action can point out a few things I noticed. Hope this review will be a little help for guys who are trying to decide on which jig to get like I did.
Before I throw in my humble opinion on the jig I wanted to say I do believe that the Super FMT is capable of doing everything the PRO model can. There will be just small advantages of the PRO model mostly important for the production purposes as far as I understood it.
The PRO model, in my opinion, will be a little better for guys who do a lot of repetitive M&Ts. The Leigh's cam-action clamps are extremely powerful and convenient for clamping a board to the vertical surface. Once you set them up they "memorize" the thickness of your material and it is just a matter of throwing the lever up and down for releasing the finished board and clamping the new one. They are the same clamps Leigh puts on their D4R (pro) jigs. The clamps are excellent but one clamp retails for $50 (aluminum, brass, steel and glass filled nylon). I even use one on my drill press and it is far superb to anything I used before: very powerful and stays out of the way from the revolving chuck because of its design.
So, you are saving some time and acquiring strong pressure (with little effort) using the cam-action clamps. Also, I had a project where I had to use a special supporter jig (plans are in the Leigh's manual) for holding wide boards (wider than 3 inches as the cam action clamp can't clamp anything wider). I was orking on a very large board (bench's seat) and it was very cumbersome to clamp the whole assembly (the supporter jig under the board)--I can see some potential struggle with the Super FMT's clamps there. On the other hand, the SUPER FMT's magnetic clamps can be moved from spot to spot faster (good if you are going b/w tenons and mortises modes frequently), Again I didn't have a chance to compare both clamps in action side by side but simply love Leigh's cam-action clamps.
The aiming gauge. When you are in production the PRO's sliding aiming gauge lets you keep the router on the top of the jig-- just move the router/plate assembly sideway and extend the aim using it as a hight stop for loading a new board (the center is already set and you need it only as a hight stop). In Super FMT, I am pretty sure, you would have to take the router with the base off the jig to reinstall the removable aiming frame which is not a big deal but a bit of inconvenience when in production.
The PRO model has an integrated dust collection which is a $50 option in the Super model and you need it.
I can see some potential steel bending (Super FMT) as you have to press on the router rather hard when plunging mortises but it is probably so minimal due to the thickness of the steel plate it would not even matter.
Lastly, the aluminum model holds the price well and very desirable on ebay in case you decide to sell it.
So, all in all, I do believe both jigs can do the same thing as the basic mechanism of that jig is simple (only requires super precise way to design and build it :-)). If you make a lot of repetitive M&Ts and tend to push your tools to their capability limits (working on oversize boards in this case) you probably be better off getting the PRO model.
Click Here to see more reviews about: Frame Mortise and Tenon Jig
Leighs frame mortise tenon jig (FMT) is an industrial strength tool for easy production, and reproduction, of mortise and tenon joints in an immense variety of sizes, styles and angles. The FMT offers excellent simplicity of set-up and ease of use, while giving incredible accuracy of fit. Adjustability goes beyond the possibilities presented by re-jigging for standard production mortise and tenons. Using the included 5/16" guide set and bit you can cut up to 20 variations of a 5/16" tenon, up to 1-1/2" wide with a depth of 1". With the addition of other guide sets you can expand your capacity to 1/4", 3/8" or 1/2" tenons, in fact, 68 different sizes of matching mortise and tenon joints are easily achieved using only 21 guides. Possible sizes are nearly endless with the built in table movement. Longer bits can increase tenon length to 2-1/8". Angles are easily set and changed regardless of number. The Leigh FMT is the only mortise and tenon jig you will need, and set-up and use is fast and simple. You dont have to dedicate a router to the jig. It takes only a minute or two to install or remove the included router sub-base, so the router can be used elsewhere. Dust extraction is through a 1-1/2" connection at the rear of the jig. Maximum stock capacity is 3" x 5". The basic FMT includes the universal router sub-base, five 5/16" guides (to make over 20 sizes of mortises and tenons), guide stand, 5/16" spiral up-cut bit with 1/2" shank, two cam-action speed clamps, outrigger bars, adjustable side-stop fence, full illustrated users guide and screwdrivers and mounting hardware. For a complete demonstration of this product, order at NO CHARGE the LEIGH 2009 demonstration DVD. This DVD includes 95 minutes of Leigh joinery jigs in action, featuring additional information about each of the following Leigh Industries jigs and accessories: D4R-24 dovetail jig, super jig dovetail jigs, F2,and F1600.
Click here for more information about Frame Mortise and Tenon Jig
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