Workshop Jigs

Do not accept workpiece chip-out on your tablesaw. Instead, eliminate it by using a zero-clearance insert for every cut you make. A shop-made zero clearance insert replaces your tablesaws factory-supplied throat plate, and its wide gap that allows unsupported wood fibers to tear away during a cut.

Here is one simple jig that does the work of two. Use it to locate the center of round stock, or use the increment holes to mark different sizes of circles and arcs.

Box joints offer both strength and unique good looks. Although not as refined as dovetail joints, they can be cut on a table saw or router table using a simple shop-built jig. Not only that, but you c...

Cutting sandpaper to size for power sanders and sanding blocks becomes a lot easier when you use this jig to both measure the paper, and cut it straight in one quick move. You can alter step widths to accommodate custom sanding blocks you might use in your shop.

Aligning jointer knives does not have to be difficult. Using an inexpensive dial indicator, a shop-made holder, and these six simple steps, you can achieve perfection in under 30 minutes.

Ripping thin strips can be dangerous if not done correctly. This rip-fence saddle supports the stock being ripped and keeps your fingers safely away from the blade.

Once you build this little beauty, you can rest assured that your miters will always match up.

This seven pack of plans will help you get the most out of your drill press. First is the Ball-Drilling Jig which goes to the very center of a common drilling problem. Next is the Extra-Long Drum Sand...

Mount your biscuit joiner to this handy jig, and step up to a new level of convenience and precision when cutting slots in the 3/4 inch material.

For cutting long or wide stock on your tablesaw, this simple jig is like having another pair of hands. With a long, wide base securely anchored to a 20 inch long miter gauge slot guide bar, this crosscut sled provides a lot more workpiece support than a standard miter gauge. And it is so inexpensive and easy to build that every tablesaw should have one.

The jig plan guarantees your success! If you have shied away from mortise-and-tenon joinery because it sounds too complicated, take heart. With our tenoning jig and a little practice, you can turn out...

This miter-cutting sled offers a dual-rail guidance system that rides in the miter-gauge slots of your tablesaw and smooth-acting stops that ride in tracks. It also features a safety channel down the middle to keep your hands away from the tablesaw blade.

Setting up for perfect miter cuts can be time consuming. With a miter sled, you do it only once.

We tested several prototypes before settling on this L-shaped table coupled with a pair of firm fences and hold-down clamps. This setup will allow you to perform numerous machining processes with impr...

When used for alignment purposes, chamfered dowels insert more easily. The chamfered ends also create glue space for strong dowel joints. This simple jig allows you to create evenly chamfered ends time after time.

Nailing or assembling drawer boxes together often proves frustrating when trying to steady wobbly parts while keeping them aligned. This clamping aid adds stability to this ungainly process, and makes quick and accurate work of securely and squarely supporting the pieces when assembling drawer boxes.

No more wobbly tables or chairs with this simple to make and use leg-trimming jig. No matter how precisely you cut table legs to length, nor how carefully you glue up the legs, aprons, and top, you four-legged table may still rock or wobble a bit. Here is a simple way to wipe out wobble the first time.

With a large worksurface, an adjustable fence and stop, and storage space, this will be the last drill press table you will ever need. Plus it doubles as a drum sanding station with replaceable inserts and a built-in shop vacuum hookup. The cutting diagrams and materials list are available to download in this Online Extra.

Ripping table legs or other project pieces at an angle can be frustrating and even dangerous work. However, with our taper jig, you will be able to quickly set the precise angle and safely cut leg aft...

Transfer hinge locations from door to carcase with marksman-like accuracy.

Reliable and accurate crosscuts on a tablesaw require a miter-gauge extension with an adjustable stop. You will find many good miter-gauge extensions on the market, but you can make your own and save some cash in the process.

Plane edge banding to the exact thickness of your plywood, and then use these simple guides for perfect clamping alignment. In addition they really save the day when attaching the bands after a case is assembled and there is no room for error.

The doweling jig makes quick work of doweling tasks, including the face-frame joinery (end to edge grain). In addition to doweling, the jig also helps you make evenly space holes for shelf pins.

This well rounded add on to your bandsaw will cut circles from 2 to 44 inches in diameter. Rummage through your scrap bin and you will probably find enough wood pieces to make this handy circle cutting bandsaw jig. measures are provided in this one page plan but you can adjust to suit your own needs.

Taper jigs do not get much more basic than this hold-down taper jig. Build the plywood base and hardwood hold downs. Then, mark the angled cut line(s) on your workpiece. Position the rip fence so the ...

Most jigs rely on a small cam to position the board, but do not provide enough support along the length of the board to prevent racking. Without proper alignment, the dovetails vary slightly in length...

Tapers turn bulky, blocky stumps into svelte and sexy legs. Start cutting the fat with a trip to the scrap bin.

A sanding drum makes quick work of smoothing an edge profile rough-cut with a jig saw. You might think you need a drill press or spindle sander to keep the sanded edges square to the surface, but a corded electric drill, shop scraps, a few dollars worth of hardware, and a set of inexpensive sanding drums will do the trick too.

Without a special clamp, gluing up a mitered frame can be an exercise in frustration. When gluing up numerous frames in the shop, we created these simple glue-up jigs. You can make your own to fit any size frame. For the woodworker working alone, these clamping frames are a must.

Set the cutting depth of your tablesaw blades easily using this adjustable gauge. To ensure accuracy, we outfitted it with a steel rule for which we have included a mail-order/internet source.