Custom Knobs Create a Warm and Personal Shop Jigs are everywhere in my workspace. Taper jigs, custom sleds and even fixtures for boring holes populate my shop in alarming numbers. Single use jigs are crude, but jigs made for the long-term get special treatment. While cast plastic polycarbonate knobs are available at woodworking stores, I…
I’m always looking for ways to streamline my woodworking. Thrifty (read cheap) woodworker that I am my preference is to problem solve with shop-made woodworking jigs rather than commercially produced jigs. Here are my three favorite shop-made woodworking jigs for cabinetmaking: Dado Sizer For years I used the T and E method (Trial and Error)…
Sleds are a very valuable asset. They provide a way to allow the work piece to travel parallel to the blade or cutter head to ensure an accurate cut on both large and small pieces, and even irregular shapes. They can have hold downs, clamps, and/or fences to hold the work piece secure during the…
Trim routers are great for small operations. I wanted to make some precisely fitting holes for flower pots, but the circle cutting jig for my full-size router was too big. So I decided to make a small version for my trim router. Additionally, I wasn’t thrilled about the fence that came with my trim router,…
Working with big sheets of plywood, or worse yet MDF, can be a bear. Even on my cabinet saw, equipped with ample outfeed support, I dread man-handling those behemoth sheets. Its grunt work at best, and can be downright dangerous if the slightest thing goes wrong. I have stories among my circle of friends, and…
MAKE YOUR ROUTER A MORE FLEXIBLE TOOL WITH THESE SHOP-MADE BASE-PLATES. Everyone knows that the router is an incredibly versatile tool. A huge variety of router bits, aftermarket jigs, fences and guides for sale at home renovation and specialty woodworking stores make the possibilities for the router seem endless. The easiest way to broaden the…
Tips for Cutting Tenons with a Tenoning Jig Table Saw Tenoning Jig – Tracks in the miter gauge slot of a table saw. Work pieces are clamped upright against the vertical work support plate so saw cuts can be made in the end grain. The distance between the work support plate and the saw blade’s…