Woodworking jigs can be found in woodworking shops everywhere. When completing wood working projects, these nifty tools are useful for tasks that require repetitive motions. Projects can be done in less time and with less effort. Premade jigs can be bought or you can make them yourself. While they are cheap you can construct one for even less. The type of jig that will be useful depends on the project you are completing.



Dovetails require Dovetail jigs. There are diagrams online for making dovetails. If you would rather buy them, any wood working supplies store is sure to have them. Some of the diagrams on the Internet give instructions on how to make a variety of different sized ones.

If you will be making your own jigs you may need a dovetail saw and dovetail bit. There are a variety of templates for both spaced and fixed dovetails that can be used to build cabinets, tiny boxes and drawers. Buying systems that have bits and templates in them are more cost efficient than buying the parts individually.

For consistent, top of the line dowels, get a doweling self centering jig. A self centering jig is a good choice when working with thick timber. Sizes range from a quarter to a half inch. There are dowel jig kits that have hundreds of different sized dowels. Occasionally these kits have glue in them.

Cabinet making goes smoother with a kreg jig. For smooth cabinet slides they must be in the exact spot they need to be at. Kregs help with positioning because you don't have to measure or take note of the spaces for the slides of the drawer. Metal drawer slides will be simple to mount and the kregs can be used to mount drawers in the center, bottom or as an extension. The kreg jig is cheap and very useful.

Creating woodworking jigs of your own is cheaper than buying one that are already put together. Get scrap plywood and low cost materials and create your very own jog. The type of materials you use and the amount of money you spend depends on your expectations for quality of the finished product. Ask yourself how many times you will use this equipment. If you will use it multiple times, get higher quality hardwood. If the it will only be used once, find the cheapest materials and use lower quality hardwood.

Woodworking books and magazines have instructions on how to construct jigs. Once you have directions on how to make jigs be sure to save them for later. You never know when a good woodworking project is going to catch your eye. Put the directions in a folder or drawer to keep them safe for the next time you will need them.