The Easiest Thin Strip Jig for the Table Saw
by david.levantaci in Workshop > Woodworking
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The Easiest Thin Strip Jig for the Table Saw
Thin Strip Jig for the table saw - Probably the fastest, easiest and cheapest way to make one.
Sounds like click-bait but -trust me- it really isn't.
I needed a whole lot of thin strips to make my own veneer. And so I decided to make a little jig to help me with just that!
This little jig will take you 10-15 minutes max to make, but it wil safe you a ton of time when you want to make repetitive and accurate cuts.
Supplies
- Small piece of hard wood that will serve as a runner for the table saw.
- A bigger piece of wood that will be our hard stop and reference point.
- 1 wing nut
- 1 threaded insert
- 1 bolt
- These last 3 items have to fit together but the size doesn't really matter.
- 2 screws or nails to attach the runner to the bigger block.
Prepare the Runner
- Measure the width of the slot on your table saw with calipers or tape measure
- Adjust the fence so you cut a piece that's just a little bit wider
- Keep adjusting the fence little by little so you have a pérfect fit on your newly made runner
- Cut the runner to size. (It doesn't need to be too long, you just want a nice and snug reference in the slot of your table saw)
Prepare the Reference - the Bigger Block
- Get a bigger piece of wood that we can use as a reference. Size doesn't really matter you just want it to be able to 'close' the gap between the slot and your saw blade.
- Mark out the center of the block to drill the holes for the threaded insert and bolt.
- I marked it around 18mm from the bottom because most of my stock is 18mm or higher
- First drill the hole for the threaded insert
- Next step is to drill the hole for the bolt
- Make sure this is deep enough to accept the length of the bolt.
- Put the threaded insert in to place with a hammer and you're good to go for the final step
Assembly
- After all the hardware is installed we can attach the runner to the bigger block.
- Drill and countersink 2 holes in the runner to avoid splitting or expanding the runner.
- Put the first screw into place
- Once the first screw is in, we can use our square to position the second screw. This little trick makes for a perpendicular connection and that's exactly what we want.
- Last step is optional: wax the entire jig to make it run smoothly.
How Does It Work?!
- With the help of feeler gauges or a material that serves as a reference we can lock in the jig for the exact thickness.
- Put the feeler gauges or the reference material in between the blade and the bolt. Adjust the bolt so it makes for a snug fit.
- Tighten the wingnut so everything stays exactly where you want it.
- Place the stock in between the fence and the bolt and lock the fence down.
- Cut a testpiece to make sure everything is alright.
- If everything is OK, repeat step 4 until you have enough thin strips.