Katie Jig System Reviews and Articles

CabinetMaker magazine has given Hampton House permission to offer an online version of the Katie Jig review, "A different device for dovetails" (PDF version - 134K) from the October 1999 issue of CabinetMaker.

Wood Magazine Review

Wood Magazine reviewed the Katie Jig System in the November 1999 Issue, page 109, "A dovetailing jig as easy to set up as it is versatile." In the "Product Scorecard," the Katie Jig received 4 of 5 starts for performance and 4 of 5 stars for value. Here's just a sample of what the tester, Dave Henderson had to say:

"..., it is the simplest-to-set-up jig I've yet seen."

And:

...unlike most other jigs, you clamp each side of the joint into the jig, essentially back-to-back. You cut the pin and tail using the same fork, but on opposite sides of the jig, virtually eliminating setup errors.

And:

And by using the jig upside down with the optional router-table handles attached (shown in the photo below), I had better control over the dovetail-cutting process than I have had with any other jig.

Fine Woodworking Dovetail Jig Comparison

The Katie Jig was reviewed in the January/February 1999 issue of Fine Woodworking magazine. Of the dovetail jigs reviewed, the Katie Jig was judged the "Simplest to set up and use."

Gary Rogowski, the author, writes in his review:

"It doesn't matter whether you cut the tails or pins first because the stop blocks put you in the right spot for both cuts.

The Katie Jig is remarkably simple to set up and use, and the results are good. There is no fudge time because the jig has been adjusted at the factory."

ShopNotes Review

The Katie Jig System was reviewed in ShopNotes No. 45. The author of the review has this to say about the Katie Jig:

Sometimes simple is best. This Katie Jig allows you to rout through-dovetail joints quickly and accurately without the usual trial and error process.

Woodshop News Article

Woodshop News has given Hampton House permission to offer an "online reprint" of the June 1998 article on the Katie Jig, "Dovetail jig offers fixed, variable spacing."

American Woodworker Magazine Test Report

American Woodworker Magazine tested the Katie Jig for accuracy in January 1998.

Ellis Walentine, Executive Editor, wrote "Our overall impression was that the jig is a potentially big winner--great value for the price."

Paul Anthony, Shop Manager, says "In it's favor, this jig produces nice joints, and it's a plus that the tails and pins for each joint can be cut with one setup. It's a well made, sturdy unit that's likely to last a lifetime."