As part of the revamp of the closet in our loft that collapsed a few moths ago, I built this jig to ensure all the holes for the shelf pins would line up and I (hopefully) won’t have any wobbly shelves. It was inspired by a jig sold by one of the well-known woodworking retailers. I couldn’t see buying one when I had all the necessary stuff sitting around (short of a special bit). In hind sight, the time spent might justify the cost. What can I say? I like building jigs.
All the holes were drilled on my drill press with a combination of a back fence to keep the holes aligned on ‘Y’ axis and on the ‘X’ axis, I took my chances and eyeballed the alignment with a brad point bit. I lined it up on the intersection of the pencil lines carefully drawn with a square. It was painstaking but the brad point made it easier and probably took less time to cut spacers to use with a stop block (that’s a guess).
The larger holes are to accommodate the spring-loaded bit I purchased for the job. The two smaller holes at either end are 1/4” holes and are used to index the jig for correct spacing after you reach the capacity of the jig. I simply placed a 1/4” bit in the hole to hold position.
What the jig looks like before it is applied to the work piece. The rail in my hand will be placed flush with the facing edge (front or back).
The disassembled jig showing the component parts (hardboard body, MDF rail, T-nuts and flat-head bolts)
Detail of the Jig
The jig applied to the workpiece
The results – nice, evenly spaced and aligned holes for the pins.
Thanks for taking a look. I’ll post some photos of the cabinet (very small) after the face frame is finished setting overnight. I’ll throw up the SketchUp drawing I’ve been working from too. It will make more sense with that pic.
-- Jeff, St. Paul, MN
4 comments so far
WayneC
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posted 933 days ago
Very nice. Looks very effective.
-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov
Dick, & Barb Cain
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posted 933 days ago
Handy jig Jeff-
I see you use Tee-nuts which reminded me about a purchase I made quite a few years ago. A hardware store was having a closing out sale, & I picked up a tray about 8” x 10” with an assortment of all shapes, & sizes of Tee-nuts. I still haven’t use them all yet. I paid $15 for the whole works.
-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1
Karson
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25806 posts in 1299 days
posted 933 days ago
Jeff what I’ve done where I need to space holes the same amount each time would be to take a block of wood and use a fence and cut two holes the distance apart See my progect on mine woodworking bench Within athe discription is my spacer jig.
-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †
Jeff
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posted 932 days ago
Thanks guys. Dick, that was a lucky buy. Sounds like the box I fished those out of… I got them at Ace and it cost me about 5.50 bucks for the six pieces! Ridiculous… I can’t wait to get my own space so I can buy in bulk.
I’ll check it out Karson (I’m at work now so can’t see images). That sounds like what I would have liked to have done but I wasn’t sure where I’d be drilling the holes in the case (at home or in the shop). That and the case is 80” tall. I do plan on building a fixture for my press that will allow me to do that though.
I saw something in one of my books about a cool deal where you cut a whole bunch of spacers out of 1/4 MDF and then string them on a dowel. The hole in each spacer is offset so you just rotate what you don’t need out of the way. Seemed like a lot of cutting and drilling at the time… (save it for something to do when just puttering around in the shop I guess.)
-- Jeff, St. Paul, MN