OSB ok for jigs?

This is just one humble garage woodworkers opinion, but for the jigs are there to make repeated precise tool to wood alignments, it might be best to consider MDF or high quality (ie, not Big Box) Baltic Birch instead of OSB.

Where non-critical: subfences that get chewed up, push sticks; or things like nail boards for finishing, the lazy Susan top for spraying finishes; prototypes etc., I think you’re in like Flynn with your treasure trove.

Think of the first class of jigs as tools. Would you want to reach for and use a poorly constructed. imprecise tool day after day, or would you rather have a tool that is a reliable partner in your workflow, one that you made and that looks like a million bucks? Think of having six boards nailed together to store your tools verses the H.O. Studley tool cabinet.

Just my 2¢.

-- "Bordnerizing" perfectly good lumber for over a decade.

I’m of the opinion that trying something cheap and seeing if it will work and them making a better one. That is if I ever get the time to make it over.

Nice tool box Douglas. Your just trying to show off aren’t you.

-- Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com

that was my thinking too Karson. I always think of better ways to do things AFTER I make them. hehe. I forgot to mention I gotta “Boss” to keep happy too..

Doug, around my area(unless Karson has a better supplier than I) Baltic is non-existent or not inexpensive. We have a couple of the Big box stores, but I only have one place to really get specialized lumber or sheetgoods and I am still feeling them out.

I was really just wanting to use up my OSB thats laying around, but still have a couple of the useful jigs(sled, universal fence) until I am able to get something better. I think I am more concerned with the OSB making things worse than not being “as good” as regular ply or baltic.

Oh yea, and I would rather build stuff than get a whole shop of nice jigs and then the ‘boss’ put the kabosh on me and I not be able to USE them for anything…heh.

-- If you can't build it, code it. If you can't code it, build it. But always ALWAYS take a picture.

I bought some Pheniolic Plywood over in Baltimore a few weeks ago. It’s used for making cement forms. Its 11 Ply, maybe 13 ply and it has a phenolic coating. I’ve not made any jigs yet. if you want to try a piece, give me a call.

Also the Mason Dixon Picnic is July 20th at 1:00 at the VFW hall in Delmar De. Give me a call if you want to come.

Send me a private e-mail.

-- Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com

Just a thought. Use MDF—- with no glue, just screws. If the jig does not work as you want it to, take it apart and remake the jig. That way if the jig works as intended you don’t have to remake it in something that will last longer than OSB.

Use the OSB for push sticks and other non critical uses.

-- Betsy - GO BUCKS!

I’ve successfully used OSB for a lot of projects including jigs, garage wall cover, garage/camper shelves, workbench top, etc. Like Karson said, you can always rebuild the jig…and rebuild it better!

-- Bob Vila would be so proud of you!

I would say it depends on the jig. with that said there have been lots of jigs i have used OSB for. but mainly I used them for when I was laminating curved pieces they make great beaning jigs when glued together. I can see where they can be used for parts of other jigs that may not play a important part saving on more expensive plywood. they can be used for I beams to lay across saw horses to saw on. I have used them in torsion boxes and they worked really well for that. I don’t use them for any thing that I need a straight edge for routing or sawing because they can have voids and will draw moisture and loss that nice crisp edge you need for template routing.
OSB can have many uses in the shop. I know an architects who cut scraps down the size of cedar shingles dyed them with aniline dye and applied them to his office wall and it was really a cool look. Nobody could even tell they where made from OSB.

-- Joey~~Sabina, Ohio http://sleepydogwoodworking.blogspot.com/