I am teaching a class at the local woodcrafters on making and using jigs and fixtures and was wondering what people would like to learn or think has to be included.
My plan is to go over basics of fixture design issues such as where to put stops and where to local holding fixtures, safety, etc. I will also go over specifics for the common machines like routers and table saws. Accuracy of both construction and use will be covered. A common mistake I see in homemade jigs is not relieving the bottom of the reference surfaces so that sawdust can’t throw the piece out of alignment.
In the class I will be showing them how to make plane and saw handles. They will get a simple universal twin handle set up that they can attach to any router pattern or similar setup along with a setup to make either a plane or a saw handle. Saw handles will also be used to make other things like a better push stick, etc.
I look foreward to reading peoples thoughts.
Thanks in advance!
Replies
One of the first jigs I made was a box joint jig. It was amazing for this rookie to see how well it worked. Simple too. OK second probably, I suppose the sled for the TS was first.
I lined up a few of my shop jigs and fixtures for a picture. A miter sled, router plates, assembly clamp blocks, push sticks, laminate roller, taper jig, router table, circle cutting jig, feather boards, throat plates. There are many more for hardware mounting, tool guiding, marking, holding, etc. Jigs and fixtures are an important part of most shops and they vary with the type of projects you make. I often cobble something together for a quick use but it's amazing how handy they become over the years. Those assembly corner blocks are over 30 yrs. old. Now you can buy some in plastic or aluminum, why didn't I think of that?
Beat it to fit / Paint it to match
Where is the picture?
Every time I talk at lenght to someone who is a woodworker I learn of new ways to make things or make a new fixture or learn a new tecnique. and allways looking for pictures that might be new to me or spur a new idea.JigSawJohn
Duh!Beat it to fit / Paint it to match
I really like the laminate roller from quartersawn oak, very cool!
A crosscut sled for the tablesaw would be the most important fixture I can think of.Jim Eddy
[URL=http://www.jameseddywoodworks.com]James Eddy Woodworks[/URL]
Don't use them often, but when needed they are wonderful - transfer punches to locate holes in plywood or other base for router.
Hi Michael,
Off of the top of my head, some subjects that seem relevant to jigs and fixtures:
Hope this helps,
-Jazzdogg-
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie
Jazz,
You are right on the money for what I am looking for. Someone mentioned table saw sleds and while I agree that is a crucial fixture, this class is more about jigs and fixtures to aid in small production runs and how to design jigs that work well.
As such, I will have them tapping wood and metal plus using inserts, both T nut and threaded inserts. I try and design all my jigs to use 1/4 20 threads so that all my hardware is the same.
Glad I could help.
It would be fantastic if you would post a copy of your completed syllabus and talking points here when you're done.
Good luck,-Jazzdogg-
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie
Don't leave out shooting boards for use with hand planes. I only wish someone had turned me on to them long ago. Now that I've started using them, I'm amazed at how much simpler (or safer) some things can be done with hand tools vs. trying to the equivalent thing with power tools. Sounds like it should be a worthwhile class.
Waddaya mean it wont fit through the door?
Jigs that you might cover in the class from my own shop:
- Miter sled
- Push sticks
- Router Dado and circular saw jig
- Simple router mortising jig
- Simple hinge jig
- Simple circle cutting jig for the bandsaw and router
- Jig for flattening wide boards on your planer
- Teaching them that temporary jigs and templates ala David Marks are very useful
I was reviewing this thread as I was editing my handout for the class and I noticed you mentioned a jig for doing wide boards on a jointer...
Tell me more because I have a 6" jointer I love but want an 8" one for obvious reasons. So, how exactly does that jig work?
goto the Taunton site http://www.taunton.com they have a video on a sled for use with your planer (giving you up to 12 inches of board width). It is a simple sled to make and can be made in any length you want. I made one 6 feet long and it worked well. Just make light cuts and it will act as a jointer.
This is the url to the video:
http://www.taunton.com/finewoodworking/pages/wvt095.asp
An article covering this appears in the January/February 2005 issue of Fine Woodworking (#175).
Edited 10/2/2005 6:20 pm ET by MrWilson
Without a doubt, router jigs are most useful to me. All sorts of drilling jigs second. Most are quick, one-time jigs which perform a project specific task.Some examples:
1.Like a previous poster, a circle cutting arm mounted to the router base-use these a lot
2.Over-lay templates used in combination with strait bits and collars
3.Simple jigs for routing - in hinges, locks, inset handles, etc.
4.Drilling jigs for locating adjustable shelf pin holes .These can be made using peg board. I use a small block that I drill thru and leave on the bit as a depth stop.
5.Drilling jigs used to locate hole locations for mounting hardware, for instance handles or knobs on a large job, are indispensable.
6.Setting up a drill press to drill cups for euro hinges, a fence with stops.
I could go on all day, but these are my most used examples.
Crosscut sled
Miter sled or attachment to crosscut sled to make miters
Featherboards and hold downs
Shooting board
Oh well, I did a lot of prep for the class and ZERO people signed up.
I am going to do the class again but I am going to name it "Production in the home shop" as that was what I intended to teach. I didn't write the title or description of the class, they did it for me.
Thanks for everyones input!
what is the location of the class
The class WAS in Sacramento...
Box Joint Jig
Mortise Jig for Router
Tenon Jig for Router
Edge Spine Jig for Boxes
Cutoff Sled for Table Saw
Mitre Sled for Table Saw
Drill Press Table
Bandsaw Table
Regards,
Scooter
"I may be drunk, but you're crazy, and I'll be sober tomorrow." WC Fields, "Its a Gift" 1934
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