Leigh Super12 User manual

Leigh Woodworking Tools
Leigh Router JoineryJigs
For Leigh Super12, Super18
and Super24 Dovetail Jigs
LEIGH SUPER JIGS
UserGuide
See page 79 for customer support
800-663-8932
www.leightools.com
User Guide

INTRODUCTION
ii
SUPERJIG-12-18-24 User Guide
Your New Leigh Dovetail Jig
Congratulations! You now own a most useful and versatile
dovetailing tool. The Leigh Superjig Dovetail Jig will help
you cut an infinite variety of joints, and all of its major func-
tions are described in detail in this user guide, plus there’s a
Quick Reference Guide that pulls out from under the jig.
Instructional videos of pertinent chapters are available online
on the Instructional Videos and User Guides page in the
Support menu.
We recommend that you first assemble and mount the jig,
carefully following the instructions in the first section of the
user guide. Then read the rest of the guide, following along
with the basic functions and principles of operation, before
you try to do any actual joinery routing. By all means, cut a
few practice joints in scrap boards before you use the jig to
rout a precious hardwood work piece!
If you have questions not answered in this user guide, please
call the Leigh customer support line: 1-800-663-8932
or email Leigh: [email protected].
But remember: “If at first you don’t succeed, read the instruc-
tions!”
*See Appendix IV – Customer Support
Important! Inches and Millimeters
The Superjig can be ordered in inch or metric versions.They’re
identical except for the calibration scales. This Leigh English-
language user guide show measurements in both inches and
millimeters, with “inches” first, followed by “millimeters” in
square brackets.
Example:
3⁄4"x 51⁄2"x8" [20x140x200mm]
Do not be concerned if the inch/millimeter equivalents are not
exact. Just use the dimensions which apply to your jig.
Where finger assembly scales overlay an illustration, the “inches”
scale will be at the top, the “millimeters” scale will be at the
bottom. Only the front “active” half of the scales are illustrated.
For clarity, setting positions are indicated with a red line in the
user guide only. On the jig, the lines are black.
1
2
Watch the Online
Instructional
Video
Reduce your learning time dramatically! Stream to your
smart phone or tablet to use in your workshop while you’re
working. See Instructional Videos section in Support menu at
leightools.com or scan QR code for instant video.
Scan QR Code

iii
INTRODUCTION SUPERJIG-12-18-24 User Guide
Introduction ............................................................................................................... ii
Chapter 1 – Jig Assembly, Mounting, and Using The Clamps .................................. 1
Chapter 2 – Adjusting the Finger Assembly ............................................................. 7
Chapter 3 – The Leigh e-Bush and Optional Guidebushes....................................... 9
Chapter 4 – Basic Jig Functions and Scale Modes ................................................... 11
Chapter 5 – Using Your Jig Safely............................................................................ 13
Chapter 6 – Wood Preparation ................................................................................ 15
Chapter 7 – Router Preparation............................................................................... 17
Chapter 8 – Through Dovetail Procedures .............................................................. 19
Chapter 9 – Variably Spaced Half-Blind Dovetail Procedures ................................ 29
Chapter 10 – Single Pass Half-Blind Dovetails ........................................................ 37
Chapter 11 – Rabbeted Half-Blind Dovetails .......................................................... 45
Chapter 12 – Asymmetric Dovetails ....................................................................... 47
Chapter 13 – Sliding Dovetails................................................................................. 51
Chapter 14 – Box Joints............................................................................................ 57
Chapter 15 – Hints and Tips ..................................................................................... 63
Appendix I – Attaching the Leigh e-Bush to the Router ........................................ 67
Appendix II – Bit Selection....................................................................................... 69
Appendix III – Jig Parts............................................................................................. 75
Appendix IV – Customer Support............................................................................ 79
TECHNICAL BULLETINS
Downloadable pdfs are available in the Support menu at
leightools.com/technical-bulletins:
• Inlaid Through Dovetails on the D1600 and Super Jigs
• Wider Pins on the D1600 Jig and Super Jigs
• End-on-End Dovetails on the D1600 and Super Jigs

INTRODUCTION
iv
SUPERJIG-12-18-24 User Guide
1
2
1
Glossary of Symbols
To help you understand the instructions and illustrations in this
user guide, we have used a number of international symbols, plus
a few special ones of our own.They are all explained below. You
needn’t worry about memorizing these symbols now, because
they are repeated quite frequently throughout the user guide,
and you will soon get used to them.
The Leigh jig’s guidefinger assembly can be in any one of four
joint modes, depending on what type of joint and which part
of the joint you are routing. Each finger assembly scale has it’s
own mode icon , identifying that joint part. You will also find
the joint mode icon in the top left corner of most illustrations
, indicating which finger assembly mode to use.
Sometimes a joint mode icon will be used to identify a board .
These are the four joint mode icons:
TD Tails
(tails for through dovetail joints)
TD Pins
(pins for through dovetail joints)
HB Tails
(tails for half-blind dovetail joints)
HB Pins
(pins for half-blind dovetail joints)
3

v
INTRODUCTION SUPERJIG-12-18-24 User Guide
Which Way Round Should the Board Go?
As virtually all dovetail joinery is used to make boxes,
drawers and chests etc., we devised these simple (and
hopefully intuitive) icons to indicate which side of a
board faces inwards or outwards on the finished “box”,
and which side of the board faces outward (toward
you, the operator), when it is clamped in the jig.
The following symbols indicate:
eThis edge against sidestop
fThis edge against sidestop
Sawcut allowance
 Caution: use special care for this operation
 Numbered References in text
This icon oindicates the “outside”
of a board. All through dovetail
pin boards are mounted in the
jig with this “outside” face away
from the jig (toward you, the
operator).
This icon iindicates the “inside”
of a board. All half-blind pin and
half-blind tail boards, and through
dovetail tail boards, are mounted
in the jig with the “inside” face
away from the jig toward you,
the operator.
This icon jindicates boards that
are mounted both ways e.g. sliding
dovetails and box joints.
Dotted line icons indicate the
“other” side of the board in the
illustrations.
Centerline of board or layout
Equals
Does not equal
Approximately

INTRODUCTION
vi
SUPERJIG-12-18-24 User Guide
VRS Models
Item VRS12 Vacuum & Router Support for the Super12 Dovetail Jig
Item VRS18 Vacuum & Router Support for the Super18 Dovetail Jig
Item VRS24 Vacuum & Router Support for the Super 24 Dovetail Jig
Dust-Free Routing!
The revolutionary Leigh VRS Vacuum & Router Support* provides almost 100%
dust and chip collection as well as amazing full width router support. The VRS
is a must-have for all Leigh dovetail jig owners.
*US patent: USPN 7,507,060 B2 UK patent: GB2446909 Canada Patent No. 2,611,233
Here’s How It Works
The VRS is mounted on brackets on the front of the jig and the router is sup-
ported by the finger assembly and the full width beam of the VRS. The vacuum
chute rides under the router support beam. Control arms, attached to the
vacuum chute, surround the router. These arms are adjustable to accommodate
any router base. As the router moves across the joint, the vacuum chute glides
effortlessly from side to side on nylon rollers. The chute is always in perfect
position to catch the dust and chips thrown out by the router bit. Chips and
sawdust are drawn into the vacuum chute and down through the vacuum hose.
Each VRS comes complete with two adaptors to fit all popular vacuum hose
sizes and the VRS can be used with a small shop vac or a large built in system.
The VRS is easily attached without jig modification. Each VRS comes complete
with all mounting hardware needed for any Leigh 24" D-Series jig, all Super
Jigs or the earlier model Leigh D1600.
VRS Vacuum & Router Support Features
• Full width router support
• Easy on Easy Off. Powerful rare earth
magnets secure router support beam
• Park the router when not in use
• Vacuum box glides effortlessly under
router support beam
• Control arms position vacuum box
• Control arms adjust to any router
• No hoses to obstruct view
• No jig modifications necessary
• Models for all Leigh jigs
• All mounting hardware included
• Adapt to any hose size
The dust chute rides beneath the
router support beam. Control arms
ensure accurate positioning of the
chute and the size and shape of the
chute ensures total waste collection
regardless of bit size or joint type
being routed.
The VRS will work with almost any
shop vac or large vac system. Two
adaptors are included with every
VRS to handle hose sizes from 1"
to 2-1/2".
The VRS is a full width router support.
When the work piece has been routed
on one side of the jig, the router can be
effortlessly moved to the other side of
the jig and parked while the work piece
is being changed. There is no need to
remove the router from the jig.
Because the vacuum box is always
in perfect position relative to the
router bit, the dust and chips com-
ing off of the router bit are auto-
matically drawn into the chute and
vacuum hose.
Accessory Kits
Item AC12 VRS12 and 1607-8 Bit Set for the Super 12 Dovetail Jig
Item AC18 VRS18 and 1607-8 Bit Set for the Super 18 Dovetail Jig
Item AC24 VRS24 and 1607-8 Bit Set for the Super 24 Dovetail Jig
Standard Equipment
• Router Support Beam
• Vacuum chute
• Hose adaptors – small and large
• Support rails
• Screws and washers
• Hex key
Leigh VRS
Vacuum & Router Support