Woodworking jigs are extremely useful pieces of equipment, it only takes one time with a jig to discover that you could never do the job without one in future! It’s always annoying if you drill holes too deep, or you can’t hang pictures straight. There are so many tasks which can be made so much easier by using the right woodworking jig.
A jig doesn’t have to be anything expensive or too fancy. In fact it’s often possible to create your own jig for smaller tasks. If you are a professional woodworker then you should already have quite an extensive collection of jigs! These will save your time and so allow you to be more profitable, not to mention the amount of wasted materials you can actually use.
The Short List of Jigs Long on Performance
If you don’t have much money to spend on woodworking tools then there are some important jigs which you should bear in mind.
A dowel jig is used to make precision holes for your dowel. This is a very useful jig if you are making furniture as dowels can be used in a number of locations, including holding the draw fronts onto the frame.
Another jig which is very important is the dovetail jig. By being able to do a dovetail joint you are making your work look much more professional. Old things used to have dovetail draws, a piece of furniture 50 years old is still around today because it was made very well. Dovetailed joints make it very strong and durable. Purchase a dovetail job with your jig and then you’re able to create fine pieces of professional furniture.
More important jigs include router jigs, these are used to support the wood as it passes along the saw to be cut. These can be used to help the craftsman create very fine detail.
Kreg - The Leader in Jig Creations
Kreg woodworking jigs are very popular, these normally come with face clamps so that the drill jigs can be secured firmly in place. You can use these jigs to drill to very specific and accurate depths.
If you don’t have a jig available but need to drill to a certain depth then one solution is to put a thick ring of masking tape around the drill at the depth that you want to drill to. When you drill you will see the marker so you will know when to stop drilling. This isn’t as accurate as a professional kreg woodworking jig however it really does work. It’s also extremely quick to do and you don’t need any additional equipment. These things are fine for the occasional job, however if you’re a professional then you really need the right tools for the job!
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September 26 2008 | Woodworking | No Comments »
We all know intuitively that planning is probably a good idea for any project, including woodworking. Yet we ofte neglect it, preferring to wing it. That’s not such a good idea, and the article that follows privides a number of things to keep in mind in approaching that next woodworking project.
Plans: What A Great Idea For Woodworking!
Planning is always a good idea when it comes to home projects, especially if the project has the goal of completing a bookshelf, cabinet, small desk or other furniture item. Woodworking plans are essential for constructing a bathroom cabinet, a headboard for the bed or a shelf to organize all the books scattered about the home. If a homeowner or amateur craftsman has woodworking plans in mind, then those plans should probably be in print as well.
However, the first question to ask might be: What’s in a good plan? Many people have found that commercially available woodworking plans can eliminate the guesswork in a project and provide a solid set of guidelines for completing the wood item successfully. Such a plan should include a list of all the lumber needed by type and quantity, but should also provide a time estimate for completion of the project. The better plans will make suggestions as well, such as steering the beginner toward simpler projects, such as a birdhouse, while other plans will state that they are for someone with more experience.
A complete plan should not only be a pattern for the project, but should also include a list of the hardware and accessories needed. It is essential to know, before starting, the type and number of hinges, drawer pulls etc. required for the project. Good plans give a written description of the materials that will work best and may even suggest where to buy these items.
Some of the best woodworking plans and project plans will include a tool list, to help the craftsman complete the job with the least amount of stress and manual labor. The best plans will not assume the individual owns all the necessary tools and will be very thorough when listing the tools and equipment needed. Good plans usually include such details as the type of saw blade needed to make the proper cuts, etc.
Perhaps the key benefit of using good plans is the availability of measurements, clearly printed in black and white. For example, a particular type of bed frame plan should indicate clearly how wide individual headboard drawers, cabinets or sliding doors should be so that the overall measurements are exact. Generally, the person writing the plan, whether it is purchased or available free, has completed the project two or more times. This means that any small “bugs” and details have been worked out.
How Hard Is It To Read Plans?
This is a good question, one that is often brought up by those with less experience in woodworking. Photographs and line drawings help overcome language barriers, allowing plans to be used in various countries. The best plans illustrate the project step by step. Some of these plans don’t even need extensive written instructions, if the illustrations are complete and clear. In recent years, written directions have been provided in several of the most-used languages. The greatest benefit of good woodworking plans and patterns is this: A beginner doesn’t need to study and become an expert to make the plans work. Woodworking plans, followed carefully, can be surprisingly easy to use.
Good plans will also have a nice photo of the finished item, in addition to ideas for finishing with stain or paint. Some even suggest placement in a particular room or home location. It is quite likely that someone has created a great furniture item previously and has created a plan that will work for anyone else.
About the Author:
Peter Wilson published principally for http://www.insidewoodworking.com , a website on wood scroll patterns . You might come across his
contributions on scroll saw projects over at http://www.insidewoodworking.com .
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September 23 2008 | Woodworking | No Comments »