How To Make A Jointer Jig For Table Saws. A Step-by-Step Guide
Share it
Because they can produce straight edges, jointers are indispensable in many woodworking projects. However, its not a tool one can consider when youre on a tight budget and have limited space. Lucky for you, theres a way to make a versatile jointer jig for your table saw. Our woodworkers will demonstrate how it’s done in this post.
Tools And Materials Youll Need
Creating a jointer jig for a table saw requires a different set of materials like three feet long SPF lumber and a 1261 cm thick-sanded plywood. The size of your plywood will depend on what materials you use for your woodworking project.
Besides those, we recommend adding glue or two-sided tape to your hardware shopping list during the preparation. These materials are very useful in wrapping up the construction.
Once you have secured plywood boards, go ahead and get wood screws measuring three-quarters inch in length. Also, make sure to get a few deck screws that are approximately 69.85mm long. Dont forget to include hex bolt head screws, two pairs of each with wing nuts, lock washers, and flat washers as well.
To create uniform boards, ensure you have at most 152 cm of wood stock. Each scrap should be sized in inches.
Once youre done putting each material in your working space, the next step is to check if you have the right equipment to build this tool. It’s obvious that you need a table saw. Our team also suggested that you add two quick-release toggle clamps to your tool collection, as well as an open-end wrench and a drill equipped with twist-point bits.
To measure and mark your lumber and plywood boards, having a pencil and measuring tape is essential. A versatile tool is needed to create a jointing device, such as a fixed-base router and straight-cutting router bits.
How To Make A Table Saw Jointer Jig
Step #1: Measure Your Jointer Jig Based On Your Table Saw
The first step in making a jointer jig for table saws is to adjust your measurements according to the size of your cutting tool. Pro tip: Your scrap plywood should be cut to the same width as your table saw slots. Mark the fence’s surface with measuring tapes or pencils three-quarters inch from the edge using pencils.
The accuracy of this jointing jig construction relies on properly setting up your tools as well. Your fixed-base router should be mounted on the router table, and our resident DIYers urge you to adjust the bits height inches over the surface of the table.
Since your table saw jointing jig needs two 16 slots, you can make them one inch each on every edge of the board. It would also make sense to set the rip fence at least 3 cm away from the bits edges.
Step #2: Trim The Runner And Sled
Using the board or plywood you have on hand, youll need to craft a sled-like piece of wood thatll act as your guide strip. This step is important because the runner/sled are essential parts of your jointing tool.
Your table saw’s size will determine the dimensions of your sled. For us, we decided to line our sled 102 cm in length and 25 cm in width. Our team decided to make our sled slightly larger than the runner because the lumber is moved around by the sled.
The sled attached to your jigs should slightly be at least the same size as the boards youll joint as it adds ease and convenience during the table saw operations. As for the runner, you can cut it with the saw blade the same length as the jointer sled but make it wider by three inches.
Step 3: Make Holes In The Runners
Next, you will need to cut holes in the runners to attach it with the sled. Using the pencil mark you drew earlier, position your router bit to drill a hole.
Repeat the first slot cuts on the other side of the board before raising the bit for another inch and cutting four slot cuts. Kickbacks are possible so our experts recommend that you keep the bit steady and slow when pressingthe end grain against the fence.
You should also cut two holes of 0.5 inches along the lower edge. Now that the slot cuts are done, these holes are ready to be screwed in.
Place the board on top of the plywood, about 15 cm from each edge. Next, take a pencil and mark the left edge of each slot under the plywood.
After that, put away the upper board and start drilling on the left edge you marked earlier. The hole should be at least 1 cm.
Step #4: Cut Straight
Trim the plywood base’s edges before attaching the toggle clamps. Let the saw blade run over the wood stock to make it straight because itll allow the bolts to sit better on the plywoods surface and enable zero clearance. After the jointing jig has been assembled using bolts, washers and wing nuts you can clamp it on the next step.
Step #5: Attach The Runner
To assemble the jointer jig, attach the guide strips with double-sided tape and glue-ups. From the left side of the saw blade up to the right side of the opposite miter slot, thats where it should be located.
Two clamps will be drilled with screws at your upper jointer jig. Our team advises you to add scrap stock pieces under its pads for easier clamp adjustment.
You will be using different wood thicknesses for your projects, so attach quick-release toggle clamps to your makeshift jointer to ensure a safer cutting operation.
Through the stock pads under the clamps, the pieces that youre working on will be held securely. It will prevent the clamps from being torn off the table saw jointer jig.
After the clamps have been installed, cut 1.5m stock and place it under the plywood base. The stock should slide through the table saw’s bed. Adding this little touch will allow your saw to cut smoothly.
How To Use A Table Saw Jointer Jig
You will need to learn how to use a jointer tool for table saws to join wood stock into squares. The clamps should be positioned on the cut piece. If you made its pads adjustable during the DIY process, you could narrow or widen its grip to accommodate materials with distinct thicknesses.
After the stock has been locked in the correct position, turn the saw on to make the blade move and produce the straight cut output you want. Because of kickback, we don’t recommend standing in front of the blade.
For cutting the opposite side of the board, you can get a perfectly square output by using the table saw rip fence and removing the jointer jig.
More table saw accessory options:
