Router Guidebush - Advice Needed!

148 Views 6 Replies 5 Participants Last post by B Coll, 3 d ago

Drumone

Discussion Starter · 4 d ago

I recently picked up a Leigh D4 dovetail jig for a steal of a price ($115). Now I'm trying to find a guidebush set to go with my router. I have a Craftsman Pro model # 130.26620 with the fixed and plunge bases. As I understand it, based on another post on this forum I think, this router was made by Bosch and is identical to model 1617, except for the base plate (if I remember correctly). The guidebush set suggested by Leigh is a Craftsman that is no longer made (9-25082), but I can find it on eBay for $25 approximately. Does anyone have any experience with this jig and/or model of router?

Here are my options/questions:

1. Do I buy the Craftsman used or new in the box vintage one on eBay?
2. Or buy the Milescraft set with base and bushings found here?
3. Or buy the guidebushes for the Bosch model from Leigh and get another baseplate somewhere?

I really want to make sure I protect my jig, considering I'll never find that good of a deal again or be able to afford another one new. Thanks in advance!

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woodnthings

· #2 · 4 d ago

Typically, the industry standard for router guide bushings is the Porter Cable type, from Harbor freight or other sources, they are all the same diameter for the recess and will fit in any router with that ID recess. The jig doesn't care which brand of bush\ing you use as long as it the PC type. The router doesn't care either as long as ithey fit in the recess in the base. I prefer the brass ones from Harbor Freight at the lowest price point, they work fine. I have an old steel set, but will not use them.

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Bob Bengal

· #3 · 3 d ago

woodnthings said:
Typically, the industry standard for router guide bushings is the Porter Cable type, from Harbor freight or other sources, they are all the same diameter for the recess and will fit in any router with that ID recess. The jig doesn't care which brand of bush\ing you use as long as it the PC type.

No, the Leigh bushings fit the router base the same as the Porter Cable standard, but you can make fine adjustments to the fit of the dovetails with the bushing. Don't use generic bushings with a Leigh.

From this link: Leigh D4R Pro Adjustable Dovetail Jig for Dovetails, Box Joints and other Joinery
You can see this photo of a Leigh bushing:

https://www.leightools.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Router-Base-upended-W-706R-Adptr-e7-eB-0033.jpg

@Drumone I don't know your router, if PC bushings don't fit the base plate you have then you need something like this:

Rockler Guide Bushing Router Plate

Attaches to most popular routers.

www.rockler.com

Rockler says it fits the Bosch 1617 fixed base, not the plunge base.

Congrats on the great deal on a D4. Do you have the manual for it? Worth getting one if you don't. Leigh jigs are great but there is a learning curve to them, follow the manual step by step and make a lot of practice and test cuts.

If you decide you need a different router I have and recommend the DeWalt DW818, DeWalt bases are PC and Leigh bushing ready. With just the fixed base for use with the Leigh:

DEWALT Router, Fixed Base, 12-Amp, 24,000 RPM Variable Speed Trigger, 2-1/4HP, Corded (DW618) Yellow - Power Routers - Amazon.com

www.amazon.com

I often use a plunge base for other stuff and if you get it as part of a kit it doesn't cost much more:

DEWALT Router, Fixed and Plunge Base Kit, Soft Start, 12-Amp, 24,000 RPM, Variable Speed Trigger, Corded (DW618PKB) - Vacuum And Dust Collector Accessories - Amazon.com

www.amazon.com

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Bob Bengal

· #4 · 3 d ago

You can cut dovetails with one router, but it is nice to have 2 routers, set up one for tails and one for the pins instead of switching back and forth.

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jdonhowe

· #5 · 3 d ago

FWIW, the Craftsman router mentioned by the OP is not identical to the Bosch- it looks a lot like it (knockoff, cough), but the motor won't fit in a Bosch base, and is not nearly as smooth running. Re: guide bushings, I've had good success using the HF ones on my Leigh jig. I don't trust the Milescraft ones- plastic, rather than metal, and I think there's too much slop in the fittings to allow precise cuts.

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Drumone

Discussion Starter · #6 · 3 d ago

Thanks for the responses everyone!

@Bob Bengal - I do have the D4 manual, plus an extra finger joint attachment and its manual. Like I said, I got one heck of a deal on it. I'd like to do multiple routers eventually, but I just picked up a Makita RT0701C with a great sale on Amazon. Another full size router will have to wait.

To avoid any compatibility issues, I decided to go with the Craftsman bushings as recommended by Leigh. I was able to find a new old stock set on eBay. That way I know they fit my router without question and will work with the D4 jig.

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B Coll

· #7 · 3 d ago

Drumone said:
Thanks for the responses everyone!

@Bob Bengal - I do have the D4 manual, plus an extra finger joint attachment and its manual. Like I said, I got one heck of a deal on it. I'd like to do multiple routers eventually, but I just picked up a Makita RT0701C with a great sale on Amazon. Another full size router will have to wait.

To avoid any compatibility issues, I decided to go with the Craftsman bushings as recommended by Leigh. I was able to find a new old stock set on eBay. That way I know they fit my router without question and will work with the D4 jig.

As long as the bushing fits the base, as most said the Porter-Cable fit is the standard, and the O.D. of the bushing is the same prescribed by Leigh, then any brand bushing will work. Like was said by others I prefer the brass as they are rigid, but will not damage cutters.

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