Experienced woodworkers have found they are able to create superior work by using a router jig. Router jigs are used as templates to cut specific designs or patterns. Because of the versatility of the router, a jig can maximize the speed, efficiency and safety of cuts.
Jigs for Many Purposes
Router jigs can make several different types of cuts possible, including the following:
- A router is useful for basic shaping, routing out slots for inlay, or trimming laminate material. A variety of router bits provides a large selection in profile cuts in trim shaping. There are jigs available to enable the cutting of circles and curves or to follow a template or pattern multiple times. These come in the form of custom baseplates, pivot mechanisms, collars or bearing-guided bits. By using jigs, a router can assist in the creation of joinery, such as dovetails, lap joints, mortise and tenon joints, finger joints, and edge joints. Rabbets, dadoes, grooves and sliding dovetails are also possible to make with a router.
- For shaping raised panels or joining frames, a router can be mounted upside-down in a router table. Fences and sliding fixtures make functions like this safer and easier.
- One of the most common router jigs is the hinge jig, used to make quick work of hanging interior and exterior doors.
- Some router jigs can allow you to make signs in wood or perform other very specialized functions.
You can create your own router jigs from wood or purchase a wide variety of jigs. A common and simple one to construct is an edge guide. First, cut the base from a piece of hard board that is big enough to support the router.
Make a hole in the center of the base to give clearance to the router bit. Next, cut two slots for the fence. These let you adjust the fence to the proper distance from the router bit. Use a hard wood like maple to make the fence a straight, smooth edge to slide against the piece you’re working on. Attach the fence to the base with adjustable wing nuts. To use the jig, lock the fence in position and set it against your piece.
Other custom-made jigs for the router include one for finger-joints, a trammel arm using a straight piece of plywood around a pivot point for cutting circles, and a mortising jig for repetitive cuts.
Easy-to-follow instructions for creating router jigs can be found online.
