Keller Dovetail System 135-1500 Journeyman DoveTail Jig

by Keller Dovetail System

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

The Keller Dovetail System 135-1500 Journeyman DoveTail Jig is an economical choice for the beginner or hobbyists doing small to midsize projects. The back-to-back model handles wood 1/8 to 3/4 inches thick of any width with a single template precision-milled from phenolic plate. It can cut classic, variable-spaced, acute, obtuse, compound-angled, and curved dovetails, as well as box and knuckle joints. Your jig purchase includes a phenolic guide, standard dovetail bit, straight bit, ball-bearing template guides, and fully illustrated instructions.

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B000022420
• California residents: Click here for Proposition 65 warning.
• Item model number: 135-1500
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #87,427 in Home Improvement (See Top 100 in Home Improvement)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

146 of 148 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If I Can Do It, Anyone Can!, March 20, 2000

By 

Bob (Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Keller Dovetail System 135-1500 Journeyman DoveTail Jig (Tools & Home Improvement)

Having heard how easy it was to make good dovetail joints with the Keller system and after a lot of research, I bought the Journeyman Model 1500 system. "Easy" may be a slight reach for a newcomer, but with a bit of reading and understanding of the instructions, it all worked out okay. The instruction manual is written for their aluminum templates with a single sheet inserted for the 1500, but the process is generally the same for both types of templates. The 1500 requires a block of wood 2¼ x 3½ x about 18 inches on which the template is mounted. I don't think these dimensions are very critical. The workpiece is clamped vertically in a vise and the block of wood is clamped on the side of the workpiece with the template projecting over the edge to be dovetailed. It is suggested you put the block on the near side of the workpiece so you route away from you and so the chips don't come off in your face. Keller provides two router bits - one to cut the tails (a dovetail bit) and one for the pins (a straight bit). You cut the tails first, then put the mating workpiece in the vise and lay the just-cut piece with the tails on the edge (line it up good) and scribe the inside of one of the tail cutouts on the new workpiece. Then you align the template pin side OVER the scribed lines and clamp it down. This determines what will remain when you route the pins. The first set came out okay but were too tight. Keller provides instructions on how to loosen up the joint (slide the pin side of the template further onto the backing block). I nearly wore out the screws holding the template to the block of wood with my fiddling around to get the joints fitting the way I wanted. The Keller system makes through dovetails, so if you want half-blind dovetails, this is not the one you want unless there is a trick I am not aware of. IMO I think through dovetails are more elegant than half-blind as you see the artistry on both sides of the joint. I also like the idea of not being limited to a maximum width workpiece. I understand additional router bits are available for box joints.

47 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars change the block, June 9, 2003

By 

W. F. Marterre Jr. (Winston-Salem, NC United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Keller Dovetail System 135-1500 Journeyman DoveTail Jig (Tools & Home Improvement)

This is a great jig. The backing block thickness dimension needs an adjustment in order to make hardwood joints that aren't too tight, however - read other reviews. The 3 1/2" depth isn't critical; neither is the 18" length. I suggest milling the block out of poplar, soft maple, or (like I did) salvaged yellow pine in order to get a thickness of 2 5/16" (not 2 1/4", as instructed). Then set the scribed line BACK exactly 1/16" by making your own scribe on the dovetail side and set your screws in. This will allow your pins to be slightly thinner than they would be with the instructed measurements. Then play with the router bit depths between 1/32" and 1/16" extra (beyond your stock thickness and the 1/2" thickness of the jig) to fine tune (a deeper dovetail bit will make the joint tighter). I had perfect joints that just needed a little sanding after only 15 minutes! These were the first dovetail joints I've ever cut in my life (and only the second time I'd ever used a router)!

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Precision Dovetails made too dang easy., April 8, 2002

By 

Mike Martin (Highlands Ranch, CO United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Keller Dovetail System 135-1500 Journeyman DoveTail Jig (Tools & Home Improvement)

I've been woodworking for over 20 years, and used to cut dovetails by hand. I looked at the jigs but was always put off by the high price and big manuals. I read a review on different jigs and the Keller was deemed the simplest to use. I bought it and could not be happier. It took me about 5 minutes to screw the jig to a backer board, and 10 minutes later I was putting together the first joint. It was perfect. My only regret is not buying this thing years ago. It's so simple, you don't even need to keep the booklet around, because there is nothing really to set up. Bit depth is not critical, you just set it a hair deeper than the wood thickness. I now can buzz through a whole project's dovetails faster than I used to chop out one side by hand, and they look better too. I'd be surprized if anyone was disappointed with this jig.