Expert: Jamie Yocono - 10/3/2006

Question
Hi, Jamie...

I love to work with wood (usually just wing it)...

What I would like to know, is there a way to make some jig's to make cutting, router'n, etc. safer and quicker?  I don't want to buy them, as they can be expensive (and I am retired).

Thank you, for your time and help.

Norma

Answer
Hi Norma,

There is a wealth of information out on the web, that's for sure. But it's tough to know which books and/or websites are really helpful, and which are more narrow in scope. I just did a search and came up with some really obscure jigs, ones you probably won't use.

So here's my best suggestion... Fine Woodworking magazine might be the finest magazine that there is for woodworking. Oh, for a while, it was a little snobbish, and some "hobbyist" woodworkers couldn't relate to it. But readers complained and the publishers listened to their complaints. It's now one of the best sources for information on wood that is out there. That's just my opinion, but I've been a subscriber since it first came out in the mid 1970s.

Anyway, the publishers of FW have a whole line of books on woodworking, and there is a perfect book out there for you, here is the information:

Taunton’s Complete Illustrated Guide to Jigs & Fixtures by Sandor Nagyszalanczy

Learn to build time-saving, effective jigs that can help improve everything you build in your shop. Finding an effective jig or fixture for a woodworking operation can be as elusive and time-consuming as designing a great piece of furniture, a sailboat, or a ukulele. It takes solid woodworking knowledge and some problem-solving skills, with a good dose of inspiration thrown in. Even a moderately complex setup can pose numerous choices: What tool or machine is best for the operation? Should the jig move the wood over the machine or guide the machine past the wood? How does the workpiece need to be referenced and clamped? Should the jig be adjustable? Most of the woodworkers I’ve met delight in solving challenging jigging problems. But tackling these problems requires a basic understanding of jig function and design. This book will teach you how to make these time saving devices and help improve everything you build in your shop.

Hardcover, 9-3/16 x 10-7/8 in., 272 pages, with color photos and drawings
Published 2006, ISBN 978-1-56158-7, # 070832

You can probably find this book at your local bookstore, and it's probably available on eBay, too. Or Half.com, which is a partner of eBay.

Yes, it's a little pricey, but I think it's the single best source out there for what you need. For example, I have a book on router jigs, and another on tablesaw jigs, etc. This book might be the only one to put it all together in one digest.

If you visit a few websites, you will find some good information online. Try:

www.womeninwoodworking.com
http://members.cox.net/messman123/Links%20to%20Jigs.htm

Someone really went out of their way on this last site, it's FULL of jig information. This should be very helpful to you.

OK, Good luck, I hope this helps. Please feel free to write back if you have any further questions after reading this. And if this answer was helpful... please take a minute and rate my service. Thanks!

Jamie Yocono
Wood It Is! Custom Cabinetry
Las Vegas, NV
www.wooditis.com