The basement #5: jigs jigs jigs

That sled really needs that safety thing at the back! Good job on all of them.

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

yep. I can cut 5/4 stock with some safety zone to spare.

-- The opposite of war isn't peace. It's creation. -- Wood T's: http://www.printfection.com/snbcreative

Hi Scott,

That is one nice sled. I have one of these on my to do list (among many others) but I do like the guard on the back.

Thanks for the post.

-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.

I like the pen blank jig. I’ve never seen one of those before.

-- Kevin, Wichita, Kansas

Jigs are so important. Your’s look great!

-- Betsy - There is no strength where there is no struggle

A shop without ‘Jigs’ is like driving a car without power steering (if you are old enough to have done that). And of course I like any jig with a safety feature.

-- Ron in Osseo, Minnesota

pre-powersteering, and rolling down the window for “A/C”? I vaguely recall such times.

another good attachment to the safety box on the sled would be a clear acrylic top – to keep that from acting like a chimney directing sawdust right in your face. I’ve seen another version of this sled with a piece of plexi connecting the back and front fence as even more protection from fingers/eyes along the cutting line.

Kevin, the Pen jig is similar, though simpler than the $50 automatic centering ones you can pick up from the Pen turning supply catalogs. I’m using a hinged piece of wood to double for the clamping – and manually finding center (and straight) by lining up the table with the drill bit. – hence drilling all the same size/dame diameter pieces at one time. Unless I get into heavy production mode, it’ll fit the bill for the foreseeable future. (If only I can convince my wife to let me spend the $50 I saved on that, and whatever the going rate is on the gouge sharpening jig ;)

-- The opposite of war isn't peace. It's creation. -- Wood T's: http://www.printfection.com/snbcreative

Scott, I have a couple of jigs for pen making that you could make fairly easily. I will try to get some pictures of them and post them for you tomorrow. One is for drilling the blanks and the other is for pressing the parts together. I’ve made a TON of pens with them and they work like a charm. Best part is the cost – other than the wood you would only have to buy a pair of small hinges and a 1/2” or so copper end cap. I’ll try to post them tomorrow for you.

-- Bill - "Suit yourself and let the rest be pleased." http://www.cajunpen.com/

I really like the sled. I need to build one myself but have not came up with anything that I like for use on my shopsmith. I think I will use your design and modify slightly.

-- Pyromedic602, free wood is always good wood

I just made a project similar to yours, good job! I like the red tape idea I am/was planning to use red paint to do the same thing but your idea is good.

-- Only the Shadow knows....................

Jigtacular! Thanks for sharing. Gotta love a good, useful jig (or 3).

-- Jeff, St. Paul, MN

Jigs it make a shop good as Milk it does the body good. keep on jiggin. jig on jiggin

Thanks for sharing.

-- Joel Tille