Best Dovetail Jig 2026: 8 Jigs for Through, Half-Blind, and Box Joints

Pros

• Covers through dovetails, half-blind dovetails, and box joints in one jig -- the most versatile
• 12-inch capacity handles standard drawer box and case side widths
• Porter-Cable 4216 is the most commonly recommended production dovetail jig by cabinet makers
• Solid aluminum construction -- withstands daily production use

Pros

• Extendable rail system handles wide carcases and table aprons beyond the base capacity
• Italian CMT engineering with tight template tolerances
• CMT jigs are used by professional furniture makers who cut dovetails daily
• One universal jig body covers through, half-blind, and box joint templates

Pros

• 12-inch capacity at a significantly lower price than premium jigs
• Integrated clamps hold the workpiece without bolting the jig to a bench
• Half-blind, through dovetail, and edge-to-edge joints in one jig
• Compact, portable aluminum design for shops where bench space is limited

Pros

• Separate pin and tail templates allow routing each board independently -- the closest machine method to hand-cut appearance
• Aluminum templates are extremely durable -- will not wear like acrylic
• Works with any router -- not proprietary to a specific router brand
• The correct jig when through dovetail appearance is the priority

Pros

• Compact 12-inch form factor for drawer boxes and small case work
• Half-blind dovetail template covers the most common drawer application
• Box joint template for drawer boxes and storage boxes
• The correct entry jig for woodworkers who primarily make drawers

Pros

• 12-inch capacity handles standard carcases and drawer sides
• Handles half-blind dovetails, through dovetails, box joints, and dados from a single template system
• Complete kit includes router bits and guide bushings -- no separate purchases needed
• A versatile fixed-template jig for a shop that cuts varied joint styles

Pros

• Most affordable functional dovetail template system
• Covers half-blind and through dovetail templates for drawer and case construction
• Compact template stores easily and works with a router already in the shop
• The correct entry point for woodworkers trying router dovetails for the first time before investing more

Pros

• Adjustable finger positions allow varying pin and tail spacing rather than a single fixed template
• Cuts through dovetails, half-blind dovetails, and mortise-and-tenon joints from one jig body
• Complete kit includes 4 router bits -- no separate bit purchase needed
• Lower price than premium variable-spacing systems for woodworkers experimenting with custom joint proportions