Workshop Woodworking Jigs

Like many jigs this jig was born of frustration and the expense of the currently available frame clamps, and there are many expensive and useless clamps to choose from.

I like to make my own wing nuts for jigs and other shop projects. But after making a few by hand, I came up with a jig to safely cut them on the table saw, as in the photo ... inches

I am going to go out onto a limb and say we have just come up with the definitive best miter gluing and assembly jigs yet.

Follow along at the link and watch the video to build your own circular saw cross cut jig.

This jig setup will assist you in cutting off pieces from any sheet material.

At one time I did not have a jointer in my shop. So I came up with a way to use my oscillating spindle sander to put a smooth, straight edge on a board.

A plunge router is great for cutting mortises on the edge of a workpiece. The only trick is getting it centered. Here is a handy auxiliary base that will center the bit automatically, and it works with workpieces of just about any thickness.

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.

A simple jig for holding shelves for finishing. It allows you to work on both sides at once. DXF Format

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.

When I need to enlarge a hole in a door for a new lockset (say, from 2-1/8 to 2-3/8 inch), I use a shop-made guide and a standard hole saw.

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.

The easiest way to achieve 4 perfect mitres is with a simple jig on the table saw. It takes only about 30 minutes to make.

I recently built a large entertainment center that needed several identical slots cut in it for cord and cable access. Cutting them was not difficult. But getting them all identical, with clean edges was another story. To do this, I used a handheld router and a pattern bit guided by a shop-made template.

After cutting a snug-fitting mortise for a butt hinge, you have one more challenge to face. You still have to drill the pilot holes for the screws. It sounds easy, but I often have trouble centering the pilot holes so that the hinge is held squarely in the mortise.

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.

This page contains plans for the frame-miter table saw sled I use for cutting frame-mitered ring segments. I use sleds for cutting segments because they can quickly cut perfect segments that require almost no sanding.

A miter saw is a handy tool around the shop for a number of jobs. But what if you need to make angled cuts beyond 45 degrees? My solution was to build a jig that held the workpiece perpendicular to the fence on the miter saw.

You do not need a jointer to get a straight, square edge on a board. An L-shaped auxiliary fence makes it easy to joint a board on a table saw (see Photo at this link).

Whenever I make picture frames, I like to use a clamping jig to keep the assembled frame flat and square during the gluing stage.

When setting the rip fence on my table saw, I used to check the distance between the fence and my saw blade with a tape measure. But trying to hold the end of the tape against the rip fence and adjust it at the same time took more coordination than I could muster. So instead, I made a simple set-up gauge.

This is a link to a Google 3D SketchUp drawing for a jig to cut housings in timbers with a router and a dado bit. 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.

Here are plans for the compound miter sled that I use for making 12-sided 50-degree compound-mitered segmented rings.

Gluing up a frame and panel door so it ends up perfectly square can be tricky. ...To prevent this, I built the simple jig shown in the photo [at this link].

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!

Instead of running out and buying additional clamps, I made two helpers right in my shop. Now I can use them anytime I need help squaring up a large project.

My trick is to use a crosscut sled with stop blocks that automatically set up the workpiece for the cut I need.

Instead of purchasing a special clamping jig, I use simple shop-made gluing cleats to help assemble mitered frames.They allow me to get a tight joints with just ordinary clamps.

The keys to this technique are the overhanging edge of the scarf joint that allows you to clean up the top and bottom surfaces ahead of time...

This is a link to a Google 3D SketchUp drawing for a tablesaw 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.