135-2200 Journeyman DoveTail Jig Template

This is a fairly simple system to use but takes some practice to get things right. The 1/4 inch bits that are compatible with the 2200 are #2243 and #2233 - not #1633 and #1643 which are combined w/ the 2200 on Amazon - according to the directions. Amazon apparently doesn't sell the proper bits for smaller dovetails for the 2200 system. I bot the 1643 and 1633 bits only to discover the bearing is significantly smaller than the larger bits rendering them useless with this system. They are on their way back to Amazon.

I bought this jig recently based on my experience over many years with the smaller 1500. There are other jigs out there that use this same principle, but the extra cost for the Keller is justified for two reasons: First, the bits are a little better quality in my opinion and the appearance of the joints with more of a contrast between the size of the tails and the pins is more attractive and closer to what a handcut dovetail would look like. The larger MLCS template proiduces a similar joint with similar ease for about a third the cost, but it's just not as attractive in my opinion. My test setup was with 3/4 thick wood, and with a thick base plate there was barely enough exposed bearing to ride on the template. I switched to a router with a very thin base plate, cheated the bit out of the collet a little, and was able to get enough bearing to ride securely against the template. This last comment is just FYI--after all, 3/4 is the lower limit of what the larger bit set was supposed to do. Any thinner and you might need the smaller bit set, which I'll probably buy at some point. Finally, making the backer block is no big deal--just laminate three pices of 3/4 to get to the 2 1/4 width. Just make sure the business side--the side that is screwed to the template--is square to both faces. Despite the cost, this a very simple and satisfying tool to use.

This is pretty expensive just to make dovetail joints but it does work, and you can get very nice joints from it. I'm not concerned with the price because this item is sturdy enough it will probably last forever, but it might be too much.

Not worth the money.

I'd love to have it, but not for that price.

The jig is simple to use but overpriced for some molded plastic. The instruction manual is worthless, just go to YouTube and find there instructions there. I can live with all of the above except that it is easy to put a gouge in the plastic when routing freehand (for really long panels that you can't stand on end to use the router table). There are others out there cheaper with the same design and probably same flaws, my next one will be a different brand cuz this one won't last a lifetime.

The key is in the accuracy in the assembly of the block and leaving the right spacing. If that is done correctly, the pins and tails are very easy.

The Keller 2200 has been around for a fairly long time. Long enough to write an instruction manual. This jig is nothing more than a big piece of plastic and a couple of cheap router bits. Its worth about 75 to 100 dollars, if that. Of course I knew that when I bought it. What really irks me is that the manual is completely useless. I could write a better manual in a day. Not only is it useless, but its not even for the Model 2200. It has a label stuck on to the title page covering the models the manual was actually written for. The instructions are for different models that have different dimensions. The pages appear to have been patched together from different sources. It is disorganized, incomplete and a waste of paper.This may be nothing important to most, but to people who take pride in their craft and who admire good workmanship, this is an affront. The people who sell the Keller are lazy, sloppy people who thumb their noses at their customers. I will never buy another Keller product!!