Leigh VRS Unboxing, Installation, and Review

[@rojer9542]

Another D4 user, bought it used awhile back and finally cleaned it up and just made my first successful test cuts. I’m getting ready to build 7 drawers for an existing kitchen cabinet. Since I was successful with my test cuts I went down to my local Woodcraft store and picked up the VRS. Thanks for posting this video, it’s helpful.

[@TheGoodguy61]

Thanks Marty, I just received the VRS for my D1600. I am a person that always ends up with extra screws and parts when I try to put something together. Being that I am move visual in learning I went to KZbin find someone assembling one of these things. I found you. I watched. I went directly in to the garage and assembled the dust collector. Thanks for holding my hand. You did a great job with the video. Tom

[@MartyBacke]

+Tom Shafer Cool. I'm glad my video helped. You'll love the VRS - I wish I had it years ago.

[@mrsensable]

Have same d4 jig. Getting the dust attachment. Thanks

[@joselitorodriguez5981]

I just bought mines and it works great with my D4 want to thank you Marty didn't know they made one for the D4 until I seen your video and what a big difference it makes!

[@MartyBacke]

Congrats! Glad you like it too. I'll be using mine this weekend and am so glad for no more mess.

[@thomasbaughman2992]

I just bought this and discovered it is not compatible with the Multiple Mortice and Tenon attachment. I noticed you had the long support arms as I did. The short arms with the VRS aren't long enough for the MMT. So don't lose your long arms. The vacuum does work great. And it is nice to have the support for the router. So much better than the old RAV1 that was not only useless for dust collection but cumbersome to drag the hose on the router itself.

[@TheGoodguy61]

Thanks for your response Marty. I've been a cabinetmaker with my own business for years. I never made dovetail for the drawers because of time,cost or both. Now that I am retired and doing a few things for myself (finally), family and friends I thought it was time to step it up and take the challenge. I am always so busy that I thought it would be faster learning on KZbin than reading the instruction. You made it very simple. I thank you once again

[@randallsmith7885]

Thank you for the install instructions!

[@alansmiley3870]

It took 5-1/2 minutes to get the VRS out of the box and another minute to get the jig on the table, so skip to the 6-1/2 minute mark if you have no time to spare.

[@metro6028]

or at least the first 2 minutes! holly molly

[@GuysShop]

Marty, glad to see that you like the dust collector attachment for the Leigh jig. I don't know how anyone could live without it! Did you get the message I sent about the router lift?

[@GuysShop]

Thanks for the reply Marty. Just sent you another one to your inbox...

[@petercollin5670]

Last weekend I went to an estate sale that I knew had a Leigh dovetail jig. When I looked it over, I was disappointed at how chintzy the plastic hold down cams were. I have an old Porter Cable DT jig with a fixed template, and the hold downs are solid iron levers! Just can't imagine those cheap plastic cams holding up to years of use. And for what they charge, they had better last. Any thoughts?

[@MartyBacke]

Those plastic handles actually work great. They aren't the cheap plastic, but are the engineered glass reinforced type of plastic. Believe me, you'll never be able to break them. Do keep in mind that the Porter Cable hold down is generally stronger, in that you can flatten a warped board. But I eventually realized that it's not an important feature because you shouldn't be using warped or bowed wood for the kind of projects that will be dovetailed. Whenever I use my Leigh system I really enjoy it.

[@petercollin5670]

Thank you Marty for the response!

[@gregorylondos534]

Peter Collin, Hello Peter, You wont believe it but I have 8 of the PC 7116 DT Jigs with all the Templates... I happen to own a PC 4210 with the micro through dovetail template and a Leigh 514L and prefer the Porter Cables More. My reasoning for all 8 7116 units is that I don’t have to keep swapping out templates back and forth to do a different function... I also have a dedicated D handle 6911 router for each function too...! I am trying to see if the combination of the 24” VRS will mate up with the VRS 1200 unit made for the PC 4210 DT Jig... I am gambling that putting the two units together I can come up with a viable working Dust collection system with the added benefit of router support... Greg

[@MrPatdeeee]

I just received my new VRS and got it installed last night along with a new "D4R Pro Jig"; that will replace my 30 yr old D-1258. I have not tried it out as yet, but I did have some complaints in the design of this otherwise fine accessory to the "Leigh Jig" family. IE: The adjustment to make the VRS "level" with the Jig's fingers; is not well engineered in my opinion. Here is why. Unlike the "1600 Super model" Jig, there is only one place to adjust braces, that the VRS attaches to. This means that the leveling must be done EVERY time you raise or lower the fingers and tighten the knob. This is not good in my opinion. In other words, if you want to insure that the router is supported on front and back, you MUST see that that the VRS is level each time; after you have raised or lowered the fingers. And hold this level by tightening the knobs on each end of the fingers. This inherent problem is a result of the LONG braces' weight; only having one place to insure it is "level". So it all depends on the "play" in the knob that tightens the fingers to make it level. The "1600" model on the other hand has two places to anchor the braces. This makes it stay more level; with out depending on readjusting the level; every time you raise or lower the fingers. The second complaint: It is difficult (as you commented) to see the router guide as it goes in and out of the fingers. I find this a poor design and could be dangerous. Of course the problem is in the router, that keeps us from seeing what we used to without the VRS. But with good thinking, there is always a way to cure problems. I believe Leigh Jig should have done this. The 3rd complaint is: The top of the VRS is angled rather than being "co-planar". This means that the router can go in and out of level; as it moves forward and backward, especially with small routers. This destroys the idea of a "level" router, IMHO. I am dissapointed that "Leigh Jigs," with worldwide fans (I am one of them), would design a product with these maladies. Note: The following link shows what I am saying about leveling: kzbin.info/www/bejne/foG8qGSsndJ7esk Check the time stamp: 19:27

[@peternatoli2555]

Hi it looked like you lined the vrs up with a board which did not reach the high point on the vrs beam.

[@MartyBacke]

You're correct, that was a mistake I made.

[@ezrabrooks12]

Good Video, Info.

[@scotthazlett5046]

Nice Dad shoes!

[@gregorylondos534]

Hello Marty, Great Video... You could have edited down your video down to near half and we the viewer Would have gotten the Just of your content... Otherwise again a Great Video... Greg

[@MartyBacke]

My video style tends toward longer videos which isn't everyone's cup of tea. I'm OK with that.