Woodworking Jigs

Use Woodworking Jigs For Repetitive Work

Woodworking Jigs have been around a long time. These days with the high tech CNC machinery in woodworking the old fashioned jig has fallen more and more out of use.
But for small woodworking firms and hobbyists they are still invaluable tools. A jig or a template is a tool that not only holds the workpiece but also guides the tool.

Jigs have been around since the middle ages or even earlier. They can be made out of old pieces of wood or steel (templates ) and are mainly used for repetitive work such as boring dowel holes or creating dovetail joints.
So Jigs save us a lot of hassle and wood when we use them properly.

I will outline the four most used jig sorts that I use as a woodworker.
Dovetail jig:
This one is used for instance on drawers. the jig guides the woodworkers tool and creates perfect dovetails so the drawer boards connect perfectly
Router jig
It’s used for supporting and guiding the wood through saw or router. It ensures a regular cut
Tenon jig
Can be angled and hold the table saw still to create a perfect cut.
Dowel Jig
Is used for boring dowel holes in a regular distance from each other. Ever tried it without one? I’m sure you didn’t get a good fit then..

And there’s tons of other jigs too. You name it, they probably have a jig for it. Or you can make one yourself.
A jig is not an unmissable tool for your workshop.  You can clamp, measure, mark and drill repeatedly. But it sure saves you a lot of time and makes your woodwork fit more accurate.
Also, when you build more of the same furniture, it’s good to have jigs at the ready.

Ted’s plans has a number of plans in which jigs play an important role. So get your hammer, chisel and jig  and start making some patterns!

Jigs on Amazon:

Recommended Reading

• workbench plans
• Recommended Plans