What is a woodworking jig and how will it help you in your woodworking projects. We all have repeatable processes we use in our woodshop and we are also looking to shorten the time spent on each project. I’m sure you may have made a jig and not even known it. If you have a woodshop and are making multiples of the same project or one-time project Woodworking jigs is your answer.
Woodworking Jig is a generic term meant to describe a tool that helps you save time and repeat a process or form with woodworking. It doesn’t have a specific look or design as each woodworking jig is different per woodworker. Also, it isn’t always some new tool you can buy, sometimes it is something we make on our own. We all do separate woodworking projects for different purposes so there is no one jig that will solve all of your problems.
A jig’s primary purpose is to provide repeatability, accuracy, and interchangeability in the manufacturing of products.
According to Wikipedia
Types of Woodworking Jigs
You take a look around your woodshop and you will see many different tools. Image the steps you use in your daily efforts with each tool. Also, look at each station you work at for each process in your woodworking hobby or business. Each of these areas and tools you use can use a woodworking jig whether homemade or purchased. It is mind-boggling but true.
Here we will look at several different types of woodworking jigs and how they can benefit you, saving time and effort with each step of your process for your woodworking project.
Table Saw Jigs
If you use the table saw as the primary tool for cutting your woodworking projects there are a variety of jigs you can use and most of them are DIY woodworking jigs. Using the table saw and getting the same cut every time is crucial to success, especially if you are a furniture or cabinet make for example.
Examples of these include:
- Table Saw Sled Jig
- Side Extension Jig
- Miter Fence Jig
- Tenoning Jig
Table Saw Sled Jig – A table saw sled is a type of DIY woodworking jig which allows you to continually push wood material through the table saw blade repeatedly by inserting your wood material either inside the jig or outside the jig and moving across the table saw blade getting the same cut. This can be done at different angles or straight cuts.
Side Extension Jig – If you are having problems getting an accurate cut every time with your table saw this is the answer. The blade moves the wood while you are trying to make an accurate cut, but with less expensive saws this is often harder than it should be. The miter slot might not match up perfectly against standard gauge bars so even though they look similar in size or shape-it’s difficult for them to get exactly what we want when cutting at angles.
Miter Fence Jig – When working with a saw, it is important to guard against the risk of pulling your workpiece toward yourself. A clamped-on edge can help prevent this by providing more stable angles and preventing any accidental incidences where you might cut into yourself or another object nearby.
Tenoning Jig – Imagine how much time and effort you will save with this jig! It’s perfect for cutting tenons on the table saw or drill press. The T-track, hold down clamps (to keep your workpiece securely in place), toggle clamps – along with stop blocks– permit accurate cuts without having to change positions constantly; just let it do all of the hard work while maintaining accuracy at every angle thanks to its unique design features like an adjustable fence that keeps both materials feeding smoothly through blade guard rails so there are no messy interruptions during operation.
If you want to see more information and get these table saw jigs for free you can get them here!
Pocket Hole Jigs
These types of jigs are very popular and well known. They provide angled holes to join two different pieces of wood with a strong and usually hidden type of join. You can create a DIY woodworking jig to make them yourself or purchase a pocket hole jig such as a Kreg.
Pocket hole joinery is a carpentry task that can be done with relative ease. The key to this particular method of construction lies in hiding the fasteners and utilizing precision measurements for alignment, as well as patience when joining two pieces together so they don’t move during drying time or else risk tearing your work apart.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are The Benefits Of Using Jigs In Woodworking
Accuracy – Woodworking jigs are a must-have for any woodworker. Accuracy is one of the main reasons why they’re so popular, and it’s because without these devices you’ll never be able to get your projects done on time or correctly.
Safety – Woodworking can be a dangerous activity if you don’t have the right equipment. Jigs are designed with safety in mind and provide an excellent level of accuracy, so it’s unlikely that any accident will happen while using one because your hands won’t get caught between boards.
What Is A Template Jig
Template jigs are a great way to ensure that your parts will fit exactly as you want them to. The template acts as an elastic band – flexible and strong enough for even complex shapes! With two holes in its plate, it provides stability when fixing onto whatever component might be needed; being able both side-to-fix fixtures with regular screws or using clamps jaws that grip around larger obstacles such as pipes, etc., depending on what’s required by each individual machine type.
