16-24 LeighCat08 Sept12 08 DLR:-

Leigh FMT Frame
Mortise and Tenon Jig
No other jig or method can match the ease, versatility and absolute
precision of the Leigh FMT Frame Mortise & Tenon jig. With the FMT, the
mortise and tenon are routed with one guide, one bit, one setup, and with
amazingly precise adjustment for joint fit. From delicate compound angles
in chair construction to massive 5" tenons on bed rails, the FMT is the
easiest, fastest and most precise method of producing this super strong
joint. The FMT is so easy to use, it is equally at home in the small basement
workshop or production shop floor.
Mortise and Tenon Joint
The mortise and tenon joint is without doubt the thoroughbred of all
woodworking joints. This centuries old joint is used in everything from fine
furniture to ship building. Simply stated, one
side of the joint is a rectangular “peg” and
the other side is a “hole” having the same
dimensions as the peg.
The incredible strength of the mortise and
tenon joint is due in part to the large glue
surface area of the tenon sides and the thickness of the tenon itself. When the joint is
precisely fitted and glued, it is virtually indestructible. Routing a tenon directly from the
board being joined produces the strongest
joint. A loose or floating tenon is inherently
weaker than an integrated tenon and some
methods of producing floating tenons often
lack the ability to make precise joint fit
adjustments necessary for a strong joint.
FMT Frame Mortise and Tenon Jig
Features
• Over 70 sizes of mortises & tenons
• Standard joint guides
available in 1/4", 5/16" (included),
3/8" and 1/2"
• Maximum 1/2" x 5" joint size
• Double, triple and quadruple joints
• Easily recorded, repeatable joint
tightness adjustment
• Angled and compound angled joints
• Works with virtually any plunge
router
Note: A 1/2" (12mm) plunge router is essential to achieve the full potential of
the FMT. See leighjigs.com for a complete list of compatible routers.
Item FMT Leigh Frame Mortise and Tenon Jig
Shipping weight 30 lbs.
For metric guide and bit selection see leighjigs.com.
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Amazingly precise. Amazingly easy!
US Patent no. 5,123,463
CDN Patent no. 2,061,568
EURO Patent no. 0 511 898
Standard equipment
• Universal sub-base that attaches to virtually
any plunge router
• Five 5/16" joint guides: 5/16" by 1/2",
3/4", 1", 1-1/4" and 1-1/2" (makes over 21
sizes of mortises and tenons)
• Joint guide stand
• 5/16" HSS spiral upcut bit w/1/2" shank
(Leigh No. 170-500)
• Two cam-action speed clamps
• Adjustable side stop fence for tenoning
• Two outrigger support bars
• Screwdrivers and mounting hardware
• Fully illustrated user guide
• A set of two vacuum hose adaptors
“...the FMT is without doubt the best affordable Mortise and Tenon Jig available...this
jig is one special animal.”
––Christopher Schwarz, Popular Woodworking Magazine
ROUTER NOT SUPPLIED
Visit www.leighjigs.com for helpful How-To Videos!
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Anatomy of a Precision Jig
It took five years to complete the design and testing of
the Leigh FMT. As we worked through the process, it
became clear the new jig would be mechanically
demanding to produce. The final version incorporates
88 extruded, die cast or injection molded parts, each
requiring a custom die or mold. Another 18 components
are CNC (Computer Numerically Controlled) machined
to very precise tolerances. The jig that took us five years
to develop takes you only five minutes to understand
well enough to produce a perfect mortise and tenon
joint. At a retail price lower than ever before, the FMT
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is clearly the best value on the market today.
1 The aluminum clamp plate is CNC machined with a
non slip non marring textured surface
2 The clamp plate can be tilted up to 30° with a positive stop at 90°
3 Two powerful 3" cam action speed clamps provide
amazing holding power for mortise and tenon work
pieces
4 An aluminum side stop fence has a positive 90° stop
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and can be angled up to 45° in either direction
5 The 1-3/8" dust collection port can be stepped up to
2-1/2" or stepped down to 1" with the two included
adaptors
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6 The table is made from Mic 6® aluminum and the
channels and recesses are CNC machined to exacting
standards
7 The table moves side to side, front to back and locks
in place with the flip of the clamp lever
8 A retractable sight is used to centre the table over
the work piece layout marks
9 Table limit stops can be set for precise repositioning
of the table
10 21 different joint guides snap easily into the table
11 Guides and track are made from Delrin plastic for
smooth router movement
12 The router sub base is CNC machined aluminum
13 The stainless steel tapered guide pins track laterally
on the right and in or around a guide on the left.
Fine adjustments for joint fit i.e .001", are made with
the left guide pin.
14 Teflon bearing pads make routing very smooth
15 The FMT sub base accepts almost any plunge router
on the market
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Legendary Leigh quality!
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Visit our website for incredible
Visit www.leighjigs.com
How-To Videos!for helpful How-To Videos!
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FMT Guide and Bit Selection
Make Your FMT More Versatile Than Ever with These Specialty Guides
Square Tenon Guides
Item 670900 Set of four Square Tenon Guides
Square tenon guides come in four sizes: 1/4", 5/16", 3/8" and 1/2". These guides can rout
Item 670430
Item 670530
Item 670630
Item 670830
square cornered tenons to match any mortise length up to 5". All square tenons are routed
with a 1/2" router bit.
1/4" x 3" Square Tenon Guide
5/16" x 3" Square Tenon Guide
3/8" x 3" Square Tenon Guide
1/2" x 3" Square Tenon Guide
Louver Door Guides
Item 6701LGP Pair of Louver Door Guides
Item 168-500 1/2" Shank Bit for Louver Door Guides
Use your FMT to make precise louver doors with standard 1/4" x 1-1/4" louvers at a 45º
angle. Matching tenons can be routed on the ends of louver stock or radiused louver stock
can be routed to fit the mortise. Sold in left and right matching pairs.
Y-Axis Mortise Guides
Some joints require mortises to be routed at 90º to the clamp plate. The Y-Axis mortise guide
Item 6701YAM Y-Axis Mortise Guide
produces six sizes of mortises: 1/4"x 3/8", 1/4"x 1/2", 1/4"x 3/4", 5/16"x 1/2", 5/16"x 3/4" and
1/2"x 1". Additional sizes can be routed using table limit stops and different bit sizes.
Optional Inch Joint Guides
The 5/16"guide set and stand come standard with the Inch FMT
Item 6704 1/4" FMT guide set: 5/16", 3/8", 1/2", 5/8", 3/4", 1", 1-1/4", 1-1/2"
Item 6706 3/8" FMT guide set: 1", 1-1/2", 2", 2-1/2"
Item 6708 1/2" FMT guide set: 1", 1-1/2", 2", 2-1/2"
Item 6720 Three optional FMT guide sets (listed above)
Individual guides or stands are also available
Optional Metric Joint Guides
The 8mm guide set and stand come standard with the Metric FMT
Item 6806
Item 6810
Item 6812
Item 6820
6mm FMT guide set: 8mm, 10mm, 15mm, 20mm, 25mm, 30mm, 35mm, 40mm
10mm FMT guide set: 25mm, 35mm, 45mm, 55mm, 65mm
12mm FMT guide set: 25mm, 35mm, 45mm, 55mm, 65mm
Three optional FMT guide sets (listed above)
Inch Bit Sets
The Solid Carbide Spiral Upcut Bit Set includes all the standard bits for the FMT. Solid carbide keeps an edge much longer but is more expensive. HSS bits
rout equally as well but are less durable. Boxed set includes No.’s 162, 164C, 166C, 168C, 170-500C, 173-500C, 177C and 180CL. No.162 is high speed steel.
Item 162-180C Carbide: 1/16", 1/8", 3/16", 1/4", 5/16", 3/8", 7/16", 1/2"
Item 162-180 High Speed Steel: 1/16", 1/8", 3/16", 1/4", 5/16", 3/8", 7/16", 1/2"
ACMT Accessory Kits
Save on accessory bundles! This year Leigh is introducing an Accessory Kit for the FMT Jig. This kit contains the boxed bit set (Item 162-180
or 162-180C) and the full set of guides (Item 6720). A great way to get the most from your frame mortise and tenon jig.
Item ACMTC Carbide (see above for bit and guide sizes)
Item ACMT High Speed Steel (see above for bit and guide sizes)
FMT Bit and Guide
Selection Charts
Use the charts on this page and opposite
page to determine the bits you require. For
metric information please visit leighjigs.com.
METRIC BITS Leigh does not stock metric bits.
Please call your local or national tool distributor
for availability of metric bits.
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FMT BIT SPECIFICATIONS
A
B
C
D
E
F
Solid Carbide
Bit
Diameter
Cutting
Depth HSS
Cutting Depth
Solid Carbide
Shank
Diameter
Overall
Length HSS
Overall Length
Solid Carbide
162
–
1/16"
3/16"
–
1/4"
2"
–
164
164C
1/8"
3/8"
1/2"
1/4"
2-5/8"
2"
166
166C
3/16"
5/8"
3/4"
1/4"
2-7/8"
2-1/2"
168
168C
1/4"
1"
1-1/8"
1/4"
3"
3"
168-500
–
1/4"
3/4"
–
1/2"
3-1/4"
–
5/16"
1"
1-1/8"
1/2"
3-1/2"
3"
LEIGH BIT ITEM NO.
HSS
170-500 170-500C
173-500 173-500C
3/8"
1-1/4"
1-1/4"
1/2"
3
3"
177
177C
7/16"
1-3/4"
1-3/4"
1/2"
4"
4"
180
180CL
1/2"
1-1/2"
1-1/2"
1/2"
3-1/2"
4"
An incredible range of joint sizes!
FMT Joint Guide and Bit Selection
Leigh’s FMT is available with either inch or metric guides. A 5/16" HSS spiral bit and the complete set of 5/16" (8mm with the metric version) joint
guides come with the FMT. As you select bits, remember that each joint guide produces both the mortise and tenon in the same size when you use
a single bit matched to the guide size. A 1/4" bit used with a 1/4" (6mm) guide makes 1/4" (6mm) joints, a 5/16" (8mm) bit and guides makes 5/16"
(8mm) joints and so on through 3/8" (10mm) and 1/2" (12mm) sizes for a total of 21 (24 metric) standard joint sizes. Standard guide sizes are identified
in the colored boxes below. By combining different bit sizes you can more than triple the number of joints possible. See leighjigs.com for metric details.
METRIC BITS – Leigh does not stock metric bits. Please call your
local or national tool distributor for availability of metric bits.
Innovative Features
The FMT is packed with outstanding features. For more detailed descriptions visit leighjigs.com.
Perfect Multiple Joints
Floating Tenons and Doweling
It’s remarkably easy to set up perfectly aligned multiple mortises and tenons on
the FMT. Adjustable table limit stops control the table’s range of motion in both
X and Y axes.
Traditional mortise and tenon joinery isn’t practical on miter
joints, though often they need all the strength that tenons
provide. The FMT makes it easy to mortise both sides of a miter
then glue in a shop-made floating tenon for the strongest
possible joint.
Production Routing
For high volume production jobs, you can speed up the process considerably by
using the largest bit possible to cut tenons smoothly, quickly and in one pass.
Wider or Narrower Joints
It’s always faster and easier to use a joint guide made to cut an exact mortise and
tenon size. However, if you don’t have the right guide on hand, or if you want to
cut a joint that’s wider or narrower than the nearest guide size, you can use the
table limit stops to change what any given joint guide allows you to do.
Miniature Joints
The FMT can rout joints not
just smaller than 1/4" but so
tiny they’re almost beyond
belief — all with the same easy
setup and adjustable fit you
expect in larger joints.
Router Selection
The FMT can accommodate all popular brand routers. It is made for use
with plunge routers only and will not work with fixed base routers. You
need a 1/2" collet to realize the jig’s potential. A 1/4" collet can produce only 1/4"
joints and an 8mm collet can produce only 8mm and some 4mm joints.
New routers are constantly coming to market. Even if your router isn’t currently
listed on our website, it’s very likely that you can attach it to the FMT’s sub-base if
it has either two fence rod holes at least 5/16" (8mm) in diameter through the base,
or a removable sub-base attached by screws into the router base casting.
Routers lacking two guide rod holes all the way through the base must be
attached directly to the FMT sub-base with mounting screws that come with the jig.
Visit leighjigs.com for a current list of routers that fit the FMT Jig.
Most routers attach using
the two fence rod holes
Some routers attach with
special Leigh screws
Router mounted to sub-base.
Visit www.leighjigs.com for helpful How-To Videos!
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NEW!
Leigh Surface and Bench
Hold-Down Clamps
Now you can take advantage of Leigh’s proven cam-action technology with Leigh hold-down clamps. Built tough,
they provide enormous clamping strength — more than standard bench clamps. Mount them easily on any flat
surface, horizontally, vertically or on an angle. Simply use existing holes or drill your own for precise clamp spacing.
For complete details, visit leighjigs.com
Bench
Hold-Down
Clamp
Features
• Clamp boards from 0" to 3"
• Works in holes 7/16" (11mm)
up to 1-1/8" (30mm)
• Enormous clamping strength
• Proven cam-action technology
Use bench and surface clamps simultaneously
• Quick 90º speed-clamp action
• Non-marring toe and heel
• 3/8"–16 threaded rod
• Speed nut attaches quickly
• Made from ZA12 alloy and
glass-filled nylon for
superior strength
• Doesn’t damage dog holes
• Works on benches up to
4-1/4" thick
• Patented clamp
Attaches to bench thickness of up to 4-1/4".
Secure fixtures to bench tops
Fits most drill press tables
Flush-mount anchors
T-Track mount
Vertical mount
Use two clamps for any purpose
Surface
Hold-Down
Clamp
Features
• Clamp boards from 0" to 3"
• Proven cam-action technology
• Quick 90º speed clamp action
• Non-marring toe and heel
• Enormous clamping strength
• Made from ZA12 alloy
and glass-filled nylon for
superior strength
• Patented clamp
Clamps boards up to 3" thick.
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Order Leigh products online at leighjigs.com
Leigh Website
www.leighjigs.com
• Get information on new products • Order online (it’s easy) • See Leigh jigs in action on our Video page
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product to learn more.
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Leigh Bit Set.
WARRANTY
5
YEAR
Warranty and Satisfaction Guarantee
Buy with confidence. All Leigh joinery jigs and attachments are warranted for 5 years against defects in materials
and workmanship. Products purchased from an authorized Leigh dealer may also carry a Customer Satisfaction
Guarantee. See your Leigh dealer for details.
LEIGH INDUSTRIES LTD. P.O. Box 357, 1615 Industrial Avenue, Port Coquitlam, BC Canada V3C 4K6
Phone 604-464-2700 Toll-free 800-663-8932 Fax 604-464-7404 Email [email protected] Web www.leighjigs.com
Leigh Industries reserves the right to change prices and specifications without prior notice. E & OE
Visit www.leighjigs.com for helpful How-To Videos!
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Joining Tradition With Today
V-4 © Leigh Industries Ltd. 2008
g Printed in Canada