Box joints are a wonderful combination of form and function. They look great, especially when made with contrasting materials and, with their significant surface area for glue, are very strong. Our shop-made table saw box joint jig is simple to make and easy to use. In all likelihood you have enough scrap in your shop right now to build it. Our plans provide you with everything you need to know about how to make a box joint jig.

Using the Jig

Once the jig is built, you’ll need to tweak it for perfectly fitting box joints. We provide a simple, low tech solution that allows you to create excellent box joints, every time. Check out this quick video that demonstrates how the jig is made and used.

Projects with Box Joints

Looking for a great project you can make with your table saw box joint jig? Our Wooden Keepsake Box is a wonderful project that includes not only box joints, but a simple to make star shaped inlay.

Discussion
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159 Responses to “How to Make a Box Joint Jig”
  1. c.strutt@talktalk.net

    Hi George,–everything looks good, as usual,==looking at your box joint jig. Unfortunately,not everyones saw will take
    dado sets. Do you have one for a single blade application? Thank You, Colin Strutt Edinburgh UK.

    Reply
    • WWGOA Team

      Hello and thank you for your question. We do not have another box joint jig, but you could use this same jig on a router table if you were to modify your table top to accommodate dual runners.

      Reply
    • clutions

      c.strutt >> Fulton makes a 2 blade box joint set that will fit in most short arbor saws that will give you 1/4 in and 3/8 in box joints. Also, the standard 1/8 in blade can make some cool box joints on smaller boxes and other joinery.

      Reply
  3. Stan

    Hi George,
    This jig just saved me from an expensive purchase. I had attempted to build a home version of the adjustable jig and was stymied by the metalwork.
    After much soul searching, I realized there is no need for an infinite adjust because I only have one or two
    blade width possibilities. Two of these jigs will do everything I need
    Stan Stevens

    Reply
  14. rdjbishop

    Why not make the base a little wider to accommodate two or more box sides with each cut?

    Reply
    • WWGOA Team

      Sometimes the simplicity of performing single cuts can provide greater accuracy. Cutting box joints for a single box takes almost no time with this jig, but there’s no problem in designing it for multiple simultaneous cuts as you suggest

      Reply
    • WWGOA Team

      Hello and thanks for your inquiry. Unfortunately we do not have a plan for this project currently, but we’ll consider adding this in the future.

      Reply
    • Customer Service

      Hi, Harry. Please contact us at 1-855-253-0822; our Customer Service Team would be happy to assist you!

      Reply
  22. Chris Erasmus

    You welcomed me as a premium member on 13/05/2016. I tried to log in to view plans, but it does not log in. Why?

    Reply
    • Customer Service

      Hi, Chris. Please contact us at 1-855-253-0822; our Customer Service Team would be happy to assist you!

      Reply
  25. Tom

    I do not see a link to build this jig in the description or video, where is the plan to do so, thanks.

    Reply
    • Customer Service

      Hi, James. In order to access these plans, you’ll have to be logged into your Premium Membership account. If you have any further questions, please contact us at 1-855-253-0822.

      Reply
  28. Paul

    Hi.
    When I tried to download the plans for this jig, you’ll see what I get. But what am I doing wrong?

    This XML file does not appear to have any style information associated with it. The document tree is shown below.

    AccessDenied
    Request has expired
    1800
    2016-10-27T02:26:14Z
    2016-10-27T02:35:21Z
    61F9BA26450C9D12

    x8m2xlaKad0m84pCkEm7jx2PgFTOfRc1idWzAmWgpgqrYalvJ2lyibD7QTirYTbJTxmy6R8YFRw=

    I’ll appreciate someone’s help. Thanks.

    Reply
    • Customer Service

      Hi, Paul. We are sorry to hear you are having trouble accessing the plans. We suggest trying a different browser, as this could be related to a browser issue. If you continue to experience issues with accessing this content, please contact us at 1-855-253-0822; our Customer Service Team would be happy to assist you.

      Reply
  29. Paul

    looking to do more joinery woodwork without having to spend a lot and had no idea about the box joint

    Reply
  30. Jont Johnson

    Just starting in a new shop. Hope to make simple things at first but have dreams of more complicated projects. Thanks.

    Reply
    • Customer Service

      Hi, Dennis. You will need to be logged into your membership account in order to access the plans. If you have any further questions, please contact us at 1-855-253-0822.

      Reply
  33. Albert

    Hello I stil have a woodworkers set 45 jr, old from Bosch. To make those joints You use one blade with shamfered washers so you can adjust the wobbling of the blade.
    Is this a known procedure by you too?
    Albert

    Reply
  36. jbuob

    George, I have been meaning to ask you since you have vast experience in the field. I have been thinking for years about designing a sharpening machine that will regrind phillips screw drivers. Have you ever seen one? What do you think about the idea.? John the Handyman in Las Vegas

    Reply
    • Customer Service

      This is a unique idea that we’ve not come across before. I don’t know what the marketability is of such a device, but it would certainly solve a problem that people have. It might be worth approaching a tool company and discussing your idea under a proper non-disclosure agreement so that your intellectual property is protected.

      Reply
    • Customer Service

      Hi, Sal. Please contact us at 1-855-253-0822; our Customer Service Team would be happy to assist you.

      Reply
    • Customer Service

      Hi, Bob. You will need to be logged into your membership account in order to access this material. If you have any further questions, please contact us at 1-855-253-0822.

      Reply
    • Customer Service

      Hi, Barrie. You will need to be logged into your membership account in order to access the plan. If you have any further questions, please contact us at 1-855-253-0822.

      Reply
    • Customer Service

      Hi, Mike. You will need to be logged into your membership account in order to access the plan.

      Reply
  45. belmont

    Jig looks good, how do I obtain the pdf plan to make the box joint jig? Hope you can help

    Reply
    • Customer Service

      You will need to be logged in to your membership account in order to access the plan.

      Reply
    • Customer Service

      Hi, Charles. Please log into your membership account to access the plan.

      Reply
  51. Edward

    so I have to pay for these plans too? What good is the membership?
    This club is about making money. not helping a poor woodworker get going. I won’t renew when it comes time. Too many adds and too little helpful information, I get more free on the internet than here.

    Reply
    • Customer Service

      Hi, Edward. You should be able to access the plans once you are logged into your membership account. We would like to let you know that your feedback has been forwarded to the proper department. Your comments are important to us and help with the development of our online video streaming community.

      Reply
    • Customer Service

      Hi, Steven. Please contact us at 1-855-253-0822; our Customer Service Team would be happy to assist you.

      Reply
  56. Ed Brignole

    I’ve built something like this before but it seems like my dado set doesn’t leave a square cut. Any cure for that?

    Reply
    • Customer Service

      Hi, Ed. There are many variables here and it is tough to troubleshoot remotely. Squareness of cut should be determined by your blade, miter slot, miter gauge, and jig construction. Can you describe the issue that you are experiencing in a bit more detail?

      Reply
    • Customer Service

      Hi, Vernon. Please contact us at 1-855-253-0822; our Customer Service Team would be happy to assist you.

      Reply
    • Customer Service

      Hi, Stan. I believe that is true. You might consider doing this on a router table in that case.

      Reply
  73. rodolfo castañón

    I’m interesting in making some Keepsake boxes. I just want a copy, Teach me how. Please.

    Reply
  79. James E Recar

    I tried to download your plans to make a table saw mider box jig . I could not find plands

    Reply
    • Customer Service

      Hi, James. You will need to be logged into your membership account in order to access the plans. If you have any further questions, please contact us at 1-855-253-0822.

      Reply
  84. tapitman30

    do you have to download chrome and add an ext to print plans and is it safe

    Reply
    • Customer Service

      We can assure you that our videos are completely secure and safe. Our videos can be viewed on any browser. You can print off the plans if you would like to, however our membership has a lot of expert videos you can stream and do not require printing.
      Thanks
      Jean-WWGOA Vide Membership

      Reply
  86. Hossein

    Hello ,
    Thanking you for the wood working guides is very useful to learn more about woodworking
    shop tools, discover the tool set, practice the skill set, and understand the mindset, effectively
    completing a course of subject woodworking to plan the projects and application of standard and
    regulations.
    Best regards
    Hossein

    Reply
  89. Eric

    Built the jig and made my first box out of 3/4″ pallet wood. Not sure what the wood was but it was really hard and the box turned out great. My second box was out of 3/8″ pallet wood – also very hard. The first couple of cuts had lots of tear out due to the thinner material. To solve this I put a 1/8″ piece of plywood at the front of the jig and used that as the backer. Worked great as it eliminated the tear out and I got a great looking box. Thanks for the plans.

    Reply
  91. Allan Fowler

    Hi George, I want to make some boxes using the box / finger joint and want to creat this joint on my table saw but would prefer to make the joints thicker than my saw curfe. Would you advise on the easiest method please. Thanks

    Reply
  94. LEON

    Downloaded plan with no problems. BUT… the use video will not load. ERROR 404 – PAGE NOT FOUND. Tried refreshing a few times…nothing. Any suggestions?
    The page you were looking for was not found, but maybe try looking again!

    Reply
    • Customer Service

      Hi Leon, please try using a different browser. If you are still having problems viewing the video please contact our customer service team at 1-855-253-0822.
      Thanks
      Jean-WWGOA Video Membership

      Reply
  97. bncbuchanan

    In the section “PROJECTS WITH BOX JOINTS” why when I click on the above link
    “Our Wooden Keepsake Box” does it take me to the following?
    ERROR 404 – PAGE NOT FOUND

    Reply
    • Customer Service

      Hello. I am sorry to hear you are having trouble accessing the plans. In order to view the plans you do need to be logged into your membership. If you are logged in and get this error message please try hard refreshing the page or using a different browser. If you are still having trouble accessing the plans please give our customer service team a call at 1-855-253-0822.
      Thanks
      Jean-WWGOA Video Membership

      Reply
    • Customer Service

      Hello. In order to view the plans you will need to be logged into your membership. If you have any questions, please contact our customer service team at 1-855-253-0822.
      Thanks
      Jean-WWGOA Video Membership

      Reply
    • Customer Service

      Hello. In order to view the premium videos, you will need to login to your membership with your email address and password. If you have any questions, please contact our customer service team at 1-855-253-0822.
      Thanks
      Jean-WWGOA Video Membership

      Reply
  112. egp.andre

    Very interesting jig. Unfortunately the link to the video doesnt work????

    Reply
    • Customer Service

      Hello. I am sorry you are having trouble viewing the video. Please try hard refreshing the page or using a different browser. If you are still having trouble, please contact our customer service team at 1-855-253-0822 and they can assist you.
      Thanks
      Jean-WWGOA Video Membership

      Reply
    • Customer Service

      Hi Donald. If you are trying to access the plans for this you will need to be logged in with your email and password. If you are having trouble viewing the video, please try hard refreshing the page or using a different browser. If you are still having trouble, please contact our customer service team at 1-855-253-0822.
      Thanks
      Jean-Woodworkers Guild of America Video Membership

      Reply
    • Customer Service

      Hi Anthony. My favorite is Baltic birch plywood but depending on the jig I’ll sometimes build out of whatever scrap materials I have available. Mdf and melamine are good choices as well.
      Thanks
      Paul-Woodworkers Guild of America

      Reply