Leigh FMT vs. Multi Router
 

Hello,

Trying to get some information regarding these two jigs. Need to set
up for small production of mortise & tenons for furniture, including
chairs so angled m&t are important.

I have a lot of experience with the multi router and know it will do
the job, but for the price I'm wondering how close the FMT may come.
Disadvantage is no air clamp option for the FMT so loading would take
just a bit longer but my concerns are these:

Setup: -not initial but say to switch from 3/8" x 2" tenon to 1/4" x
3/4"?

-also to switch from tenoning to mortising, 3/8"x2" tenon to
its mortise

Angled tenons: Pretty simple with the JDS but don't know if it is an
issue with
the FMT. Compound angle tenons on FMT?

Operator Fatigue: I've run a Multi-router all day and it will grind
on you but
mostly just its the repetition. Linear bearings
keep the effort down and also let you feel the
cutting
action rather than bearing friction. So any input
from
FMT users in an extended session would be
appreciated.

Grateful for any information. The Multi Router is great but it is so
expensive that if the FMT offers most of the production benefits for
$1000 it would be money well spent and the rest could go to a drum
sander or other production necessity. But if the FMT is just an
expensive hobbyist jig then I know the JDS will do the job in a
production setting.

Thanks for any information.

-Mario

Have you looked here?
http://www.woodrat.com/
Tom
"FreeState" wrote in message
om...
Hello,

Trying to get some information regarding these two jigs. Need to set
up for small production of mortise & tenons for furniture, including
chairs so angled m&t are important.

I have a lot of experience with the multi router and know it will do
the job, but for the price I'm wondering how close the FMT may come.
Disadvantage is no air clamp option for the FMT so loading would take
just a bit longer but my concerns are these:

Setup: -not initial but say to switch from 3/8" x 2" tenon to 1/4" x
3/4"?

-also to switch from tenoning to mortising, 3/8"x2" tenon to
its mortise

Angled tenons: Pretty simple with the JDS but don't know if it is an
issue with
the FMT. Compound angle tenons on FMT?

Operator Fatigue: I've run a Multi-router all day and it will grind
on you but
mostly just its the repetition. Linear bearings
keep the effort down and also let you feel the
cutting
action rather than bearing friction. So any input
from
FMT users in an extended session would be
appreciated.

Grateful for any information. The Multi Router is great but it is so
expensive that if the FMT offers most of the production benefits for
$1000 it would be money well spent and the rest could go to a drum
sander or other production necessity. But if the FMT is just an
expensive hobbyist jig then I know the JDS will do the job in a
production setting.

Thanks for any information.

-Mario

On 1 Dec 2004 11:20:29 -0800, (FreeState)
wrote:

snip
Not an expert. Have had mine for a few months, so HTH.

Setup: -not initial but say to switch from 3/8" x 2" tenon to 1/4" x
3/4"?
Need to change the routerbit and template (snap out old template, snap
in new one - very quick, changing bit a bit longer)

-also to switch from tenoning to mortising, 3/8"x2" tenon to
its mortise
You use the same template. Need to change the tenon piece with the
mortice piece.

Angled tenons: Pretty simple with the JDS but don't know if it is an
issue with the FMT. Compound angle tenons on FMT?
Can do both. A matter of initial setup.

Operator Fatigue: I've run a Multi-router all day and it will grind
on you but mostly just its the repetition. Linear bearings
keep the effort down and also let you feel the
cutting action rather than bearing friction.
Use mine for half day at a stretch. No problem. I use a DW625 which is
very smooth. Other routers 'might' not be as smooth and cause a bit of
hand fatigue. (have not used any other so that is why the 'might')

Might try getting the Leigh FMT video. Explains it all.