Workshop Woodworking Jigs

This is a link to a Google 3D SketchUp drawing for a shop-made panel ripping jig for quick, easy, accurate rips of plywood, mdf, masonite and other sheet good. You will need the SketchUp software to download this drawing and its freely available online. We do not provide support for this software. Not all drawings have the measurements displayed but you can use the measurement tool in SketchUp to easily and accurately determine the dimensions of each lumber part. Most drawings do not have instructions, its assumed you can build it based on the completed drawing provided.

This is a guide to cut dados to an exact width by making multiple passes. The capacity of this jig is 12 inches wide boards, to cut wider boards make the side guides at least 6 1/2 inches longer than the width of the board.

Use this simple guide to align your cut mark and get an exact cut everytime.

A very large protractor drawing for accurately laying out common angles (45, 36, 30, 22.5, &11.25). DXF Format

This is a link to a Google 3D SketchUp drawing of a jig for cutting the 2.5 inch and 5 inch wooden gears. You will need the SketchUp software to download this drawing and its freely available online. We do not provide support for this software. Not all drawings have the measurements displayed but you can use the measurement tool in SketchUp to easily and accurately determine the dimensions of each lumber part. Most drawings do not have instructions, its assumed you can build it based on the completed drawing provided.

Circle cutting jig for router. Handles circles from 7" to 36". DXF Format

Mounting drawer pulls has never been easier than with this handy shop helper.

This is a link to a Google 3D SketchUp drawing for a jig that holds a framing square so it can be clamped, freeing up you hands so that a combination square and pencil can be used to mark a tenon. You will need the SketchUp software to download this drawing and its freely available online. We do not provide support for this software. Not all drawings have the measurements displayed but you can use the measurement tool in SketchUp to easily and accurately determine the dimensions of each lumber part. Most drawings do not have instructions, its assumed you can build it based on the completed drawing provided.

This is a link to a Google 3D SketchUp drawing for an adjustable router mortising jig. You will need the SketchUp software to download this drawing and its freely available online. We do not provide support for this software. Not all drawings have the measurements displayed but you can use the measurement tool in SketchUp to easily and accurately determine the dimensions of each lumber part. Most drawings do not have instructions, its assumed you can build it based on the completed drawing provided.

This is a link to a Google 3D SketchUp drawing for a circular saw jig which would allow the user to make repeatable cuts. You will need the SketchUp software to download this drawing and its freely available online. We do not provide support for this software. Not all drawings have the measurements displayed but you can use the measurement tool in SketchUp to easily and accurately determine the dimensions of each lumber part. Most drawings do not have instructions, its assumed you can build it based on the completed drawing provided.

Thin strips should be cut on a table saw with the wide board against the fence and the fence moved in for each cut, however it is difficult to accurately adjust the fence for each strip to be the same thickness. This gauge allows you to simply...

Aluminum throat plate for the Delta Unisaw. Has machined dovetailed opening for zero clearance wooden inserts. 1" opening accomodates Freud Super Dado. Print out drawing and take to a machinist. DXF Format

Here are two photos of a jig I built for my router in less than half an hour. The two 1/4 inches threaded rods screw into the router base (they come from another off-the-shelf jig.) The wooden block is just some random piece of hardwood scrap.

This corner jig is so easy to make and so easy and accurate to use, you will be kicking yourself for not thinking of doing this sooner!

Isometric drawing of a shooting board used to cut 45 degree angles for frames. For use with a table saw. DXF Format

With this plan you can make yourself a truly accurate miter sled so you can cut first class segments for your rings that you do not have to send time touching up to get a perfect ring. A notable feature of this sled is that adding a new miter angle to your repertoire is quick and cheap!

An adjustable jig for use with a router for making mortises. DXF Format.

This is a free online video for the sliding hold-down jig as it appears in the ShopNotes Magazine Issue No. 96. When ripping narrow strips or cutting a rabbet along the edge of a workpiece, it is sometimes hard to keep the board flat against the saw table. And if you use the featherboard, it can get in the way.

Construct a very simple and customized boring jig to install kitchen cabinet knobs perfectly and consistently on every cabinet door.

The challenge is forming a nice cutting edge, or burr, on the scraper. You can do this freehand, but to do it consistently, I find it best to use a scraper-sharpening jig, like this one. It has a number of features that make it the perfect choice for super-tuning your scraper.

This jig requires one piece of hardwood 3/4 inches square X 5 1/2 inches inches long and one piece 3/4 inches X 2 1/2 inches X 5 1/2 inches long. Mark off the 5 1/2 inches long piece as shown below, clamp it to the 3/4 inches X 2 1/2 inches piece, 1 1/2 inches from the top edge and drill the four 1/4 inches holes. It would be best to use a drill press for this if possible as the holes should be square.

This jig is easy to build using scrap wood and will help you when you are trying to measure on the diagonal.

This biscuit-joint miter jig makes it easy to biscuit-join mitered corners, even in thin stock.

This is a link to a Google 3D SketchUp drawing for a mortise jig for your router. You will need the SketchUp software to download this drawing and its freely available online. We do not provide support for this software. Not all drawings have the measurements displayed but you can use the measurement tool in SketchUp to easily and accurately determine the dimensions of each lumber part. Most drawings do not have instructions, its assumed you can build it based on the completed drawing provided.

This old-fashioned fixture will help you plane perfect miter joints.

Build the circular saw crosscut jig shown on the right with just a few tools using scraps laying around your shop!

The work tables on most drill presses are designed for working with metal. For working with wood, we need a larger work surface and a more versatile way to clamp the work piece. This table, by use of T-Track , hold down clamps, and toggle clamps permits accurate clamping and positioning of the work piece.

The joints are always the weakest part of any piece of woodwork. Because of this, I am always obsessing over making better joints.

Using a keyhole slot adds a professional touch to any project that is designed to be hung on a wall. Cutting the slots before the project is assembled makes clamping much easier.

This circular saw cutting guide is so easy to make and so easy and accurate to use, you will be kicking yourself for not thinking of doing this sooner!