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6K views 34 replies 13 participants last post by  LeeJ 
#1 ·
Templates and Jigs

Templates and Jigs


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Whenever we do a project that has the potential to be built again, or if the design is somewhat difficult, we'll spend the time to build a jig. This is a process that pays back big dividends, and has been practiced for hundreds of years.

In the first instance, it makes sense to speed up the process of duplicating it. This prevents you from having to record all the dimensions and engineering that went into the piece. A very big time saver.

In the second instance, I would rather make a mistake on a piece of plexiglass or M.D.F., than on an expensive piece of wood. (wood doesn't grow on trees you know).

Mentally, it's easier to create a shape on a piece of plexiglass, or M.D.F., simply because it's "only a jig". Somehow, that seems to take the pressure off. Cutting the final piece can keep you from moving forward on a project, because you fear making a mistake. I know that sounds silly, but it's something I've witnessed, (and done), on many occasions. Jigs give you the confidence to move foward, knowing it's right.

It's much like seeing a person go from helper to mechanic over night. Same person, same knowledge and experience, just a new attitude. They just didn't realize, they had the talent and knowledge. It truly is amazing to watch a person's tranformation because they finally realized they knew how to do it. Now they're working with confidence, instead of fear. They stop second guessing themselves, which leads to less mistakes.

Once the jig is created, and it's perfect, making the final piece or duplicating it, is a breeze. The fear of mistake is eliminated in the jig making process. This is especially true when trying to duplicate something a couple years after the first one. The toughest part there, is remembering you have a jig for it, and where it is!

Jigs can be templates, or can be a method of holding the work piece to allow carving or machining.

Jigs designed to hold things can be altered to make the jig itself more useful. As the project progresses, new ideas come to mind, which brings about change to the jig. It's a case of building the project and the jig together, as you move forward.

If you're not already doing so, you should add jig and template making to your woodworking repertoire.

Lee
 
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#4 ·
yah.. you hold your breath and your arms get tense and then they start to shake because of the muscle stress.. and then the tools wobble.. and voila - the very thing that you wanted to avoid, you created!
 
#5 ·
You know, Lee, the biggest problem is storing all the templates and jigs after you use them. I've got them everywhere in the wood shop and patterns all over the saddle shop. sometime I think I build more patterns than anything else. However, I have to admit that the day I learned about templates and pattern routing was an epipheny for me. I have a set of edge elements that I use over and over. They are the basics of my "Frontier" stlye furniture. I use another set for three legged table legs. If you get the grain wrong and break one it is simple to do another. I have a delta spindle sander that I use a lot to create the patterns. It is a great help getting right to the line. Good info for everyone.
 
#7 ·
Hi Thos,

Yeah, I know what you mean. When I see pictures of the shop after having just finished building it, the walls looked so empty.

Now they're covered with patterns and jigs. I guess it's our version of decorating the walls, just like the restaurants do with their memorobilia scattered around the place.

At least it looks "lived in".

Lee
 
#10 ·
Hi Mario;

I can't see any reason not to, other than you might forget what you have.

I'm about out of wall space, so I'll have to find a solution soon myself.

Sounds like a great shop size to me! (all except that building construction costs you mentioned).

Lee
 
#12 ·
Great idea. I have the same problem with trying to not only store them, but then to catalog them. I've run into trouble, recently, of not knowing what the heck the jig was for.
 
#14 ·
Great Idea Lee. I've made some full size patterns on Plywood but not as a router jig. Just to affirm the angles that need to be cut etc.
 
#15 ·
Hello Karson,

You bring up a good point which I failed to mention. On projects, such as the library stairs, all layout was done on a sheet of plywood, of M.D.F., which I used for determining the diamater of the post and overall unit.

I also made a pattern of the step, so I could use it for the steps, both in cutting it out, and in laying it out on the plywood.

I was able to determine the proper spacing, and angles on the steps. I actually screwed the post of that project to the plywood, so it was held verticaly. This enabled me to be certain I was laying it out right.

I often draw the full size patterns on 1/4" M.D.F. to take measurements from.

Another detail I didn't mention was the fact that the pattern can be attached with double stick tape..

Thanks for bringing up this important detail.

Lee
 
#18 ·
Multi Position Jigs

Making better use of you time includes making jigs that can be used in different ways, or positions.


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The first series of photos show the jig used to cut the dovetail slot into the post, to receive the legs. This had a knob to tighten to prevent the post from spinning.

The second set of photos were the jig for carving the post. This too, proved to be very helpful. It has boards on the back side that fit snugly over my bench top, while held tight in the vise.

On the end of the jig, there's a knob that tightens against the post, and prevents it from spinning.

This same jig fits vertically in the vise as well, which made carving some areas much easier.

In the third series of photos, the carving being done on the legs of a Philadelphia Pie Crust Table, popular in the 18th century, was made much easier with this jig. Carving the ball and claw feet was challenging.

I was able to turn them in any direction or position I wanted, to make the carving go a little faster, and much easier.

Spending a little extra time on planning your jigs can be very beneficial.

Lee
 
#19 ·
Jeez, Lee. The information that you provide, and the work that you do is amazing. Thank you for putting so much content on this site! You are everything that we all hoped would embody a Lumberjock.
 
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