Woodworking Jigs

[Steve Bennett]

Since i just started learning to wood work, I have found that i could make nothing but jigs for the next year. and another making add on to the power tools i have, such as a extension fence for mither saw, same thing for drill press and so on. Some times i feel like i wont ever get to where i can make something.

[Gary roofner]

I'm in the same boat spent last year gathering tools and building fixtures. Finishing tablesaw sled need to build a stand for my drillpress. Need to put casters on my build table.

[will delaney]

That's where  i'm at too, just finishing up my miter saw precision jig. When i finish making a jig I like to build a project. This gives me something that i can take out of the shop for some more gratification. This makes every project a little better and faster to make as I build  my skills and use new jigs. The next project is the Ana White locker cabinet.

[John Schaben]

I think this is a common malady. I think I have 4 or 5 in various stages of completion. Almost done with a router ski jig. Thought about a table saw sled but dropped that plan in favor of mitre saw extensions... both about half finished. Should have parts for a planing sled in today... list goes on and on and on......

Will - what is a mitre saw precision jig?

[will delaney]

I should have been more specific It's the kreg precision trak and stop kit for the miter saw. It's easy to build and the hardware is very well  made.http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=11386

[John Schaben]

OK - Thanks. I saw that but haven't got the space on each side of the saw. Need to figure an alternative. Right now I been moving the saw a fixed distance from the wall and using the wall for a stop..... mobile base ya know:)

will delaney said:

I should have been more specific It's the kreg precision trak and stop kit for the miter saw. It's easy to build and the hardware is very well  made.http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=11386

[Rick Sherman]

After 40 plus years I still build a jig now and then. I would suggest just build a fun project for yourself or family. If you need a jig you can always build one at that time. Jigs and upgrades are to make things easier and for repetitive work.

[John Harrison]

Rick Sherman said:

After 40 plus years I still build a jig now and then. I would suggest just build a fun project for yourself or family. If you need a jig you can always build one at that time. Jigs and upgrades are to make things easier and for repetitive work.

John says:

This is usually what's done. I've been making furniture for 25+ yrs now, and even though I've made countless amounts of jigs, I too make yet another from time to time. Making jigs can be very time consuming if that's the only thing you're focused on. It's a great idea to make the jig you need, as you go. Before you know it, You'll have more jigs than you do tools.

[kenny from Sundre]

There are some things that can be done to aleviate some of the problems of "extentions". I have mounted my router table, miter saw, and drill press on roll-around cabinets. I have set up an assembly table in line with my table saw and have left a space between the table saw and the assembly table that allows me to roll any of the three into the space. Since the assembly table and the table saw are exactly the same height as the roll - arounds they can be used as infeeds and out feeds. I have a filler that I can put in the space to allow for continueous out feed for the table saw.  Using  1/4" X2"x2" aluminum angle, I have built two precision stop tracks, one 18" and one 42" for my miter saw, for a cost of about $32.00. They attach with 4 bevel head bolts (2 on each side ) and are dead on accurate.So far I have built a tapering jig for the table saw (which I would not be with out) and a table for my drill press, which iI am appreciating more every time I use it.

[will delaney]

Hi Kenny, where did you get the planes for the tapering jig? I would love to build one. Tapered legs give such a difference in a project.  Thanks Will

[kenny from Sundre]

Hi Will; Sorry I did not get back to you sooner, but try this link. It is available on PDF. There are ac ouple of things that i would do differently were i to build it again. I think that aluminum hold downs would work better, but one would have to be carefull to make sure that they not contact the blade. The second thing is that I would see if one could use t tack for the slots. I will take a closer look at mine and get back to you. The jig is a very easy way to straighten the edge of a bowed board.  You may have to manully enter this link ; http://www.shopnotes.com/plans/taper-jig/

kenny

[Steve Bennett]

Thanks for all the replys. You all are great!!

[Brian]

I don't make any jig unless I need it and then only if I think I'm going to use it more than once. The nice thing is building the jigs builds the confidence to move onto other nicer projects. But I do keep my jig project handy just in case.