DIY Network

Jigs and Fixtures for the Table Saw From "Wood Works" episode WWK-613

	An assortment of jigs used by David Marks in his Northern California woodworking shop.
	In Wood Works episode 408, specialized jig was used to create the intricate finger joints for these magazine boxes at the router table.

In this special episode of DIY Wood Works, host David Marks discusses and demonstrates the uses of jigs and fixtures in woodworking.

In this non-project episode, host David Marks explores the benefits and uses of a variety of different jigs and fixtures and builds a few examples. He includes tips on using a dovetail jig, a miter jig, and custom drill press jigs. He also highlights fixtures like the cross-cut sled and finger boards, and shares tips about making woodworking safer and more precise.

In this first segment, he differentiates between jigs and fixtures, and discusses their use in conjunction with one of the most commonly used woodworking tools -- the table saw.

Note: The online summary of this special Wood Works episode on Jigs and Fixtures contains a number of references to past episodes of the program. You may click on the boldfaced episode numbers in order to link to the online summaries of those particular shows.

Some of the tools and jigs featured in this episode:

Trammel-arm jig
Miter jig
Tenoning jig
Tapering jig
Table-saw cradle jig
Dovetail jig
Drill-press jig
Table saw
Multi-router
Band saw
Drill press
Table router
Miter gauge
Clamps
Safety glasses and ear protection

Safety Alert: Always wear safety goggles or safety glasses, and follow proper safety precautions, when working with wood, power-tools, saws, drills, routers, etc.

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A bed-extender fixture was used to create the base pieces for this coopered hall-table at the band saw. Steel router-rails were then used to enable the tops of the base-pieces to be leveled using a hand-held router.

Jigs and Fixtures

Woodworkers are inherently problem solvers. Jigs and fixtures are devices and accessories that can help expand the capabilities of your woodworking tools. Some jigs help specific tasks to be performed more efficiently and accurately, enhancing the operation of the tools. Others enable repetitive tasks to be carried out quickly and with consistent results. All are designed to make operation safer. Your ability to make and design jigs and fixtures will greatly enhance your fine-woodworking projects.

Jigs are devices that hold and move a work-piece in relation to a tool. Often they are designed as carriages that slide. Jigs act as a guide for the tools that cut and shape the wood, and they are ideal for repetitive tasks.

By contrast, fixtures are static devices that hold the wood in stationary position in relation to a tool. Some of the more typical examples of fixtures are fences -- such as a ripping fence on the table saw.

A good way to remember the difference is with the mnemonic:

"A jig slides; a fixture guides."

Below are some examples of fixtures and jigs used with one of the most versatile of the woodworker's tools -- the table saw.

Table-Saw Jigs and Fixtures

• For cutting a perfect circle -- such as for the circular frame for the wall mirror (figure A) created in the earlier episode, Wood Works episode #301, the trammel-arm jig (figure B) is the perfect solution.

  Figure A

  Figure B

  
  

  
  

• The miter gauge is an aid for cross-cutting boards at the table saw (figure C). The fence is adjustable for cutting at a variety of angles.

• The miter gauge comes in handy when cutting compound angles at the table saw (figure D). We used this gauge, for example, to make the tapered base of our CD cabinet in Wood Works episode #202.

  Figure C

  Figure D

  
  

• Another handy table-saw jig is the miter jig. David uses a custom-made miter jig (figure E) to enable the cutting of accurate miters and achieving clean mating-joints -- primarily for cutting frames and corners.

• The miter-jig's clamps hold the stock firmly in place for each 45-degree cut (figure F), and the adjustable stop-block ensures that multiple pieces of stock can be cut to matching lengths.

  Figure E

  Figure F

  
  

  
  
  

• The cross-cut sled is perhaps the most frequently used "jig" in David's woodshop (figure G). He refers to this accessory as a workhorse since he uses it for cutting straight stock, panels, curved stock, and just about any larger piece that requires a perfectly straight cut.

• Since the fence of the miter gauge supplied with most table saws is typically too narrow to provide adequate support when cross-cutting long boards, the cross-cut sled is a great alternative (figure H). The sled is equipped with two runners on the underside that slide in the table's miter slots as the sled ensures that the work piece remains square to the blade.

  Figure G

  Figure H

  
  

  
  

• The tenoning jig is used to hold stock upright (figure I) and guide it past the saw-blade to cut the cheeks of tenons.

• David uses a tenoning jig made from solid cast-iron. Its sturdy stature enables stock to be held in a precise position without risk of losing registration (figure J).

  Figure I

  Figure J

  
  

  	Figure K
  	Figure L

• For making tapered cuts for table legs, commercial tapering jigs are available. The tapering jig (figure K) has a stop to hold the stock in place, and a graduated scale that makes it easy to cut consistent angles.

• Using the same basic concept, you can build your own custom tapering-jigs from MDF and scrap hardwood, and tailor them to fit a particular project.

• David used this technique to cut the tapered leg in the demilune table built in Wood Works episode 201. The construction of the jig is simple: a jointed edge rides against the fence; a stop made of hardwood holds the leg in place at the appropriate taper angle. With the leg secure, simply move the leg past the saw-blade to cut the taper (figure L).
  

• When making frames, it's ideal to reinforce the mitered corners using a spline joint (figure M). The technique can be used to provide strength as well as a contrasting visual interest. David used it for both when creating the medicine cabinet in Wood Works episode 208.

• To create the slots for making the spline miter-joints, David fashioned a specialized spline-cutting jig -- essentially a cradle that positions the mitered corners in line with the saw blade (figure N). The resulting kerf cuts on each corner will be in perfect alignment.

  Figure M

  Figure N

  
  

• To make a jig like this, glue two 12" x 7" sheets of 3/4" shop-grade plywood together. Cut the stock to final dimension of 6" by 11".

• Mark a center-point on one edge, and extend the line 1/4" up from the base.

• Trace out a 90-degree angle on the stock as shown (figure O).

• At the band saw, remove the center section to create the cradle (figure P).

  Figure O

  Figure P

  
  

• Next, attach an extension fence (made from plywood) to the ripping fence on the table saw (figure Q). The bracket allows the extension fence to slide over the ripping fence.

• Finally, attach the cradle to the extension fence using wood screws (figure R).

  Figure Q

  Figure R

  
  

  Figure S

• With this setup, you can cut perfectly aligned splines into the mitered corners (figure S) of frames, cabinet doors or any other miter-cut pieces.
  

RESOURCES :

Woodworking Techniques: Best Methods for Building Furniture from Fine Woodworking
Author: Editors of Fine Woodworking magazine
Publisher: Taunton Press
ISBN: 1561583456

David Marks Website
David Marks, DIY's Wood Works host, is a master woodworker. For more information on cut sizes and project details, please contact him via his Website at www.djmarks.com

Fine Woodworking
A magazine devoted to high-quality craftsmanship in woodworking.
The Taunton Press Inc.
Website: www.taunton.com