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by: LindenWalhard
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While some craftsmen have enough experience (and a steady hand) to cut or drill without following a set pattern or jig, most workers in wood benefit from good woodworking jigs. The do-it-yourself amateur will most likely progress to using a jig after trying a critical project without one.

To avoid some of the frustrations of woodworking that come from drilling a hole too deep or in the wrong place, many craftsmen and builders use a jig. To make sure that a picture frame is square and fits perfectly when it's time to glue and nail, a woodworking jig is the answer. Add to this the possibility of improperly routing a design or needed groove, or making a mess of a dovetail cut, and the necessity of using jigs is even more obvious.

For those who may feel that these additional tools are too expensive or professional for the homeowner/amateur ? never fear! Woodworking jigs do not need to be expensive or complex. Some workers in wood may be able to create their own jigs for some small tasks. But those do-it-yourself individuals with experience, as well as professionals, know that investing in a variety of jigs is the wise step. The hobbyist who works with wood every day will save enough time and effort to make the initial investment worthwhile. Professionals don't risk wasting precious wood by cutting and shaping without a jig.

Jigs Long on Performance

There are actually a few basic types of woodworking jigs that can be part of the well-equipped workshop. Some of the "must-have" jigs are:

? Dowel jig ? to cut dowel holes in various diameters, with precision. These are great for those who cut and assemble furniture using dowels for attaching drawer facings or tightly fitting table or chair legs. ? Dovetail jig ? this unique item can give drawer assembly a professional finish. In many clothing bureaus (commonly called chest of drawers) dovetailing was a common practice. As furniture experts and builders known, this is one reason so many older wooden items remain today. ? Router jigs ? allow ornate details and finer work in wood because they support the wood well. For great bevelled edges on table tops and drawer fronts, a router jig and some good planning are necessary.

Kreg ? The Leader in Jig Creations

Excellent examples of woodworking jigs come from Kreg, a company that makes sure form meets function. According to information from the company, the Kreg jig set includes face clamps that provide support for the precision drill jigs. Perfect hole depth and size is possible with use of Kreg jigs.

Of course, there are methods of drilling with some accuracy, without using a jig. The workman can place masking tape in a thick band around the drill bit so that the band will touch the wood surface when the tip reaches the desired depth. While this method works, it certainly isn't as precise as a good drill jig. This handyman's quick solution will be OK for the occasional project. However, jigs of professional grade are generally the best choice.

About the Author

Linden Walhard writes predominantly for http://www.insidewoodworking.com , a web publication covering information on how to use a tenon jig and woodworking tools guide. His comments on woodworking jigs are found on his website .

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