Hey newfie. I have one and love it! It's simple to use and I love the way I can vary the spacing so fast and easy.
I have had mine for i think 7 years about. I go through phases where I build alot of projects with it then set it aside for a year or so and use mostly my traditinal jig (a STOTS now, used to use a Leigh). Last Novemeber I needed to buy a replacemet part for it (was going to make Christmas gifts - wine racks) and discovered the company was in the middle of a change of ownership.
Long story short I actually got a PHONE CALL from the new onwer one day and how he got my number I don't know. Maybe I had left it with Mrs. kehoe and forgot. The guy was super accomodating and talked to me for probably 20 minutes. I don't remember it all but I remember I was impressed with his commitment to continue the company. I think he said his wife was actually going to be running the company (?). Don't quote me on that though.
He shipped my part to me priority mail. He not only mailed me the new stop block I paid for but some "complimentary splines" as well. They were Osage Orange and his note said they look great when used with Walnut and dark woods. Nice touch I thought.
Well as far as the jig itself you'll have to ask me questions because I don't know what to tell you other than it is simple (which is what I like even though I have an engineering background - go figure) and easy to use. It does not make traditional pin and tail dovetails I will tell you that right now. It makes splines that have a 1 degree taper. After you cut the grooves in the corner of your box or whatever, using the main jig (that's the actual Kehoe jig that does that) you use your router to cut the tapered grooves into the work piece this way, then you tap these splines into the grooves and they get tighter as you do this. You get another jig that you use to make your own splines with on your table saw. If you are one of those woodworkers than doesn't own a table saw forget about this jig. No way you could make splines without a table saw.
They website claims that they look like they are painted on, and i can tell you for a fact that's not an exaggeration. After you get used to using it, you can come up with many different looks with it though.
Le t me know if you want any opinions on the Festool TS75 or the STOTS tempalte master too. These are my two most recent additions and both are awesome!
Let me know if you have specific questions on this Kehoe jig. I was expecting to only be asking questions for about 3 months - it's cool to be answering one so quick! :-)
P.S. Tried to use a smilie and it won't let me, do I have to make some sort of adjustment in my user panel?
Cheers, Simon. |