The jig that changed how I build tables and workbenches 

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My favorite part of this channel is that it's not usually a how-to, it's a "how-to-approach-to." ...Which has so many more uses in additional disciplines.

It's not about the time it takes you to assemble a jig. It's about the repeatable accuracy it provides. Stellar!

I like how you showed the process of figuring out your own jig and improving on it until it works right instead of just showing how to make a lap joint jig.

You have helped me immeasurably! From your sharpening videos to your finishing videos I need it all! Nice work and thank you so much. Little by little I’m honing my skills!

I have been waiting for the video on the modular workbenches this jig was made for. 😊 This would be a nice follow up. 🙏

Modular shop plans...YES PLEASE!!! 🙂

I'm chuckling: Your jig materials budget exceeds my project materials budget.

Always given the best "how to" videos. I watch them over and over again to get inspiration and start the build process

the poem advertisement about squares was the funniest part this really helpful video. all remaining thumbs up!

I'm most impressed by that outro plug. I'd never have made it through all those 'squares' without getting tongue-tied.

The thought process you impart on your channel is why I keep coming back. You have great ideas and you also share why in addition to how. Woodworking is often about problem solving.

I watch you from our lodge in Botswana Thanks for all the great ideas

That is the first ad I've ever listened to, in its entirety, just because of the poetry of the thing. Well done :). Looking forward to those workbench plans!

Once again, you’ve made a great “no nonsense” video that’s informative and “to the point”. Thank you for sharing this and I agree that making a jig is time well spent and we do get faster at building them.😊

James...you are a brilliant "process" guy and a master educator. You could teach anything.

Brilliant, James. I feel validated in all the jigs I've made for one-off projects. I have found that my experience making jigs has made jig building more effective and quicker as I've made quite a few now. Then there's all that scrap wood I'm using instead of holding on to for years before finally pitching it in the firepit.

I make a lot of jigs and fixtures in my shop. To me half the fun in wood working is planing and making them.

Just re-viewed this one. Really GREAT video. Required viewing for any prospective woodworker! I love that the jig evolved in several stages: 1) Git 'R done. 2) Modify to let sawdust escape. 3) Modify to make clamping easier. 4) Temporary/test version of dust extraction port. 5) Final/fixed port. It's an approach I need! It DOESN'T have to be an elaborate does-everything jig right from the get-go. But it CAN get there. Awesome. (And a great jig, too. :__)

Fantastically easy...except finding an uplift router bit in NZ! Another missing ahead. Brilliant tutorial! Thanks James.

Great jig, even better the concept of using a jig for even small jobs (small in size or quantity). After watching you (and JKM and Tamara and others) make and use jigs so effectively and cleverly, I have become a convert. Part of every project is now... What jig do I need / want!

It's great to not only give someone a fish but teaching him how to fishing. Thank very much.

As a guitar builder and repair man I can attest to the invaluable uses of both jigs and templates, I have a ton of them in my shop and yes I use all of them!

You are right you were not mass producing the tables, but you needed several lap joints, so the jig makes sense. I am a big fan of jigs. Sometimes it makes sense for a single piece if accuracy can only be obtained that way. Excellent video.

What I've learned for jigs in wood/metal work is, it's not about the number of parts or projects. It's about the number of cuts. And their complexity. If making the jig takes the same number of cuts as you intend to make with the jig, then make the jig. You'll get the bonus of precision, speed and practice in building jigs.

Yes I will steal this idea. Half the reason I watch this channel is for jig tips, and this is a good explaination of the key concepts.

This will transform my garage, on one wall ! Thanks for the outline

Having 1 arm/leg, jigs are vital to everything I do. In fact, I like creating jigs more than building things with them. That said, make a pantorouter. It's the king of jig tools.

As always I’m impressed , wood worker most of my 72 years and never thought jigs were important. Just one more great lesson from you . Thanks

Almost skipped over the video but glad your patience kept my attention. Very Cool thing to have in your shop and I have to make one or 2... or 3....lol. Very impressed! Thank you for sharing!

I've been sanding for over sixty years and I have to say that I really love the 3M sander. Also, I think that their sandpaper is the best and a great value.

Some jigs are definitely "one hit wonders". Others will stick around and evolve into something better like yours did, or morph into something else. There are also the ones that find a permanent space in the shop due to their usefulness. Thanks for sharing 👍 I have been looking for a way to maximize my tiny workspace and this may just be the ticket.

I like the way you think. You have great ideas, but I have no need to steal them. Coming up with my own solutions is most of the fun of any project!

Excellent information! Thank you for sharing!!!

My 101 of making = work-holding & jigs. And this jig is a perfect example. Cheers Jim.

And the one thing I do not do nearly enough. Date the jig and write on it what it is for. I have made some fabulous jigs that I had to throw out a few years later since I just couldn't remember what they were for. And it is nice to pick up a scrappy little jug and see that you have been using it for many years. We have jigs around the workshop that my father made 30 years ago.

I'm going to need that promised video about your wall of bench in the next month please. PLEASE!!! I have a big empty garage that's just waiting to become a shop......

When I started woodworking I used to sit down after each project and write some lessons learned. One of the ones that always stands out for me was “if you can do it with a jig, do it with a jig”.

Your timing is impeccable. I am getting ready to build a 2x4 stand for a 100 gallon aquarium. I have always used a dado set on the table saw for the joints. This jig and a router looks much easier and more precise. The studs are planed down to a uniform size. I am ready to make the stand this way. Thanks!

Great video! I’m getting ready to build a new workbench and I’m going to build this jig first. Thanks

I don't know what's better. The video, the jig, or that limerick ending! Awesome as usual.

Look very helpful with less effort. Nice video.

Than you sir, grabbed a sander!!

I did exactly this, making a project for my daughter and through trial and cursing, found an exponentially more effective chip collection method. I was using the cordless makita palm router so I picked up a matching dust port adapter from makita and attached the shop vac hose directly to the router base. I then added an oversized "plexi" base plate. (I had to drill a few holes in mine because the suction was insanely strong, but that's ok.). The jig is a little longer to account for the oversized base plate BUT 100% of the chips are immediately removed from the cutting area. An added benefit to the oversized base plate is stability of the router; as, there is constantly a reference surface touching the jig (no balancing needed). Proved that little palm router is a workhorse too 😂🤣✌.

Yes. I will. Thanks greatly appreciate it

Very well spoken. I can appreciate that in addition to the terrific information. Thank you kindly

The video was excellent, and I also enjoyed how you promoted the squares at the end. Thanks.

Probably my favourite video of all I've watched from you so far.

I bought the 3m sander when you first showed it on your show and it’s a very nice sander very little vibration.

Right! Nicked the concept. Thank you.

Great point. Before I start any project, I have a universal jig that I dance.

I can't stop rewatching this video.

Thanks James.

"Thank You!", Mr. Nubs! Excellent video even if no 'plans included'. Have a GREAT day, Neighbor!

Love the simple jig, and jig progression, but really look forward to seeing the garage wall modular bench setup. Oh yes, and to me a jig is useful even for one item, when you want it done right. I knew I wasn’t making more than one Viking slat bed, but I knew I need a jig for all those mortises. Wish I was smart enough to think about doing a jig like this for the tenons.

James my boy, will I nick your ideas and thought processes, Yup, absolutely lol just like everything else you have taught me over the years lol. Have a wonderful day James and thank you again mate from Down Under 😎👍👀

Saved the jig we made a few years ago to make 32 sawhorses. Like that one, it was crude pieces of scrap and didn't look very pretty, but the sawhorses are all compatible with one another and look identical, and that was the idea.

I wish I had knowledge of such a jig on my last lap joint project. It would have been very helpful. But I'll definitely use it the next time. I do make and use jig. They have become my third, fourth and even my fifth hand. Thanks again for sharing.

Agreed, jigs take time to build accurately. Once you nail it to perfection the task or job just becomes so much easier and precise in every cut. This applies to templates too. Which allow for identical marking and cutting if you use a pattern cutting router bit in conjunction with the template.

I got some great ideas from the compact workbench design. Just in time to finish the left side of my garage wall bench. Thanks for the inspiration!

Lost count of the number of times a channel has done a review of an item that immediately sells out everywhere 🤣

I make a lot of jigs in my shop when I'm building just about anything. But the tip about pin nailing the thing together first is like "why didn't I think of that"! Well now it will be used just about every time I build one. Thanks for the awesome videos. Have a cold one, you deserve it!

Jigs are that one extra employee that never asks for a raise and always show up on time. Great Video! I'm pretty much done with all of my shop furniture and the way it's all laid out, but I will be building this for next month... you know, when I find a better layout because this way is stupid, and the 37th way will the best!

Love making a jig for many different things.

Slick as a wet whistle. Thanks for sharing with us James, that is a kool jig. Fred.

Thank you for the easy-to-follow and informative content. I look forward to the table build video.

Definitely a jig that I would like to build. And yes, totally agree. Many times I have built a jig that was only needed to a particular project. Makes the build easier and sometimes safer.

Thank you for great videos, I love that you take the time to explain your work process.

Very nice! I've even used a 3D printer to make fixtures for angled attachments, drilling guides and even pocket hole drilling jigs for special situations. Jigs and fixtures that I thought were only temporary have become indispensable parts of my workshop: a crosscut sled, table saw extension rollers, drill guides, shooting boards for wood planes, etc. You're definitely on to something here.

Totally going to steal this idea.

Routers. I don't use them much. So much so that I turned mine off the other day after attempting a cut two times. They were just test cuts. I decided just to use a chisel to complete the job. Making a jig would have done the trick, but I defaulted to "you only make a jig for repetition." Making a jig also seems daunting. Watching you develop the jig for each problem was a great lesson. I could see that jig being used many times.

Once again a video I wish I seen earlier. Thanks stumpy for your videos

Can't beat a good jiggy-jig!

I like watching your channel, not only because I learn a lot from you but also the way you speak. Unlike many American on You Tube, the way you present it is pleasant to listen to. BTW, thank you for pronouncing "cen-ter" not "cen-ner" as some Americans do. It annoys me when they do that ( opting for a silent "t"). I know people speak with different accents, but I feel correct pronunciation should be adhered to because RU-vid is watched all over the world.

Great Video. I am binge watching your past videos today, as my low calorie thanksgiving treat to myself !

Yup… I am totally gonna steal this! 🍺

Genius, just what I've been looking for. The perfect 2x bench method.

Jigs evolve! Thanks, James.

That was a fund ad for Bridge Squares. I would have added a stop on top of the dust collector to make sure you didn't accidentally cut into it. I like using jigs for consistent cuts. Thanks for sharing.

This. I have some half lap stuff coming up and I was pondering a jig. This is a perfect jumping off point. Thank you.

Hola! 🖐I'm not at the stage of building jigs just yet, but this video has educated me already. I appreciate the video and the info. Take care and have a good one, Adios!👊

I like the tip about using a nailer to get the pieces to stay in place until you screw them. I recently came across this problem but had no good ideas on how to solve it. Thank you! Also thanks for the recommendation on using an uncut spiral bit. I'm going to try that out as well!

been looking for one of these guides! thank you!

Really brilliant jig, James! 😃 Thanks a lot for all the tips!!! Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

So so so true! Its the biggest struggle i personally have in my own woodworking evolution!

Yes. Yes I'm stealing this.

A suggestion. Those stacked plywood sides? I would always use the same material for the side depths with maybe a thin cardboard shim (so he work pieces can slide in and out). Eliminates a step and a complication. But ideally a jig opening is as close to the actual end result as possible (this is why you first tried the bearing cutter). So on a jig like this instead of the cardboard shim, you'd clamp it up from the bottom. Now it will slide in and out, but you won't have to fuss with router depth. and if the material varied in thickness, the cutout would be the same. I had to make two pairs of 12:1 scarfs for a skin on frame kayak I made. I could've winged it on the table saw... but making the jig (for my Skilsaw) was worth the effort and time. Now if someone said we need a 30' 1 x 2 that would bend smoothly over an open curve, I'd say, no problem and make a scarfing jig. And I've cut lap joints before without a jig, They worked but were always inconsistent enough that for a permanent bench set up... a good jig is better. For building cedar wood strip kayaks (not recommended: build furniture or build a plywood kayak, but don't waste time trying to do both) I had to rout curved channels and beads. The wood was so soft, even in a jig, it would get sucked into the cutter. This was a really tough problem to solve, but worth the effort, I learned a lot. I also made a scarfing jig for my tablesaw for these 3/4" by 1/4" pieces. I figured out that one way the cutoffs would have a problem with the saw blade, but raised up a little and the other way, cutoffs would always fall away - safely. That was another really good lesson that I'm sure production shops have figured out.

That was amazing. I have always wondered how these bizarre looking jigs that do amazing jobs evolve. Now I know. I will be ‘stealing’ this one! Thanks again James

Thought the alliteration at the end was four square!🤣 I agree with the other commenters about the content and inspiration. Thanks muchly.

You are so right James. I make a lot of segmented pens and my jigs has evolved a lot. I now need to make another jig which will take that to another level. Great video. Take care James. Cheers, Huw

Thank you. I thought in was the only person who had to make crazy jigs and vacuum attachments

thanks for another great video. I just got one of those 3M sanders from Taytools, and for anyone considering, it's well worth the price tag, especially at 20% off. thanks again for the tip!

I have made jigs for years. Sometimes for a one time application and some for a more mass produced affair. The one thing I wish I had done some years ago is to label the darn things so I now knew what that was hanging on the wall.

I am looking forward to seeing your videos and plans for this modular one wall garage workshop. This is exactly what I want to do. I have a two car garage and am trying to setup a shop on the far end wall that still allows cars to park when I am not working on a project.

Super helpful! Will definitely build this jig. Thank you.

Thanks, Stumpy. My sander is on its way!

Thanks for the info!!!! Great Idea!!!!! Much appreciated!!!! 👍😎

James, I like the jig, but I like even more your lap-joint workbench idea. Could be a real space saver in my tiny shop. Just wish I had a router to go with the jig. Will probably end up using an old Shopsmith (the only "decent" power tool I have) to make the first bench, then once I have a table surface to work on I can upgrade to a router. Looking forward to seeing your modular workbench plans.

What a fantastic and very professional video. Thank you for sharing.

I have been making jigs for years. I find that in the end it’s safer, the project goes faster and turns out better. One thing I wish he had highlighted a bit more was the “milled lumber”. Our 2x4s can have an 1/8” or more variance sometimes in the same board. You have to buy SS wood or plane the boards yourself for the jigs to work. Another great video, keep them coming