Carpenters are fond of joking: “How many woodworkers does it take to build a bed? Four; three to build the jigs and one to build the bed!” Maybe woodworkers get the last laugh, however. Almost every tool benefits from being used with multiple jigs, and as the articles in Fine Woodworking’s special issue on Powertool Techniques show, woodworkers have been amazingly creative in coming up with numerous variations.

 

You’ll be hard-pressed to find this type of information in the manuals that came with your power tools. Once you’ve stripped away the legal disclaimers, the instructions for use are pretty basic, in part because they don’t cover the use of jigs. All woodworkers—from raw novice to seasoned pro—will find at least one jig in our special issue that will give them an aha moment. Soon you’ll realize that you can never have too many jigs!

 

 

Purchase your copy of our Powertool Techniques special issue today.

 

 

ONLINE EXTRAS FROM POWERTOOL TECHNIQUES
How to Hold Work for Routing with Ed Pirnik Learn a variety of ways to secure your workpieces for safer handheld routing.
How to Cut Dovetails on the Tablesaw with Matt Kenney Learn how to cut better, faster through-dovetails using your tablesaw and a standard rip blade.
Tablesaw Techniques with Marc Adams In this members-only Video Workshop series, acclaimed woodworking instructor Marc Adams demonstrates tablesaw joinery and safety techniques.
How to Change a Bandsaw Blade with Asa Christiana Learn how to properly install the right type of blade and say goodbye to blade drift forever.
How to Set Up a Jointer with Asa Christiana If you want to mill lumber yourself, jointer set-up is crucial.
Jointing Boards for Dead-Flat Panel Glue-Ups with Michael Pekovich Even if your jointer fence is out of square, this simple tip will ensure perfect edge joints
How to Turn Pulls without a Lathe with Christian Becksvoort Create custom door and drawer knobs using your drill press
Tablesaw Tapering Jig is Safer and Faster with Mark Schofield Learn how an adjustable leg tapering jig can easily cut two, three, and four-sided tapers on the tablesaw.
Pattern Routing Jig is Safer and Faster with Matt Kenney Clever jig makes pattern routing safer and faster.
Biscuit Joiner Tips and Tricks with Asa Christiana Learn how to harness the full potential of your biscuit joiner in Part I of our two-part series.
Versatile Tablesaw L-Fence with Bob Van Dyke Build a simple tablesaw fence accessory that handles a wide variety of joinery cuts.