Discover my 5 best woodworking jigs ideas | FREE PLANS

Are you overwhelmed by the profuse quantity of woodworking jigs available online, uncertain which ones are basic necessities of your workshop? Search no more. In this helpful blog, I have brought together a list of the top 5 most practical and adaptable jigs that have confirmed invaluable in my own workshop.

After being thoroughly tested and employed for an extended time, I can dependably suggest these jigs to any woodworker who wishes to perfect their craft. The following list is a list with the best woodworking jigs in my opinion and will be delved into in depth:

• Crosscut sled
• Star knob jig
• Kerfmaker
• Plywood handling system
• Router dado & template jig

Inspire your woodworking skills and find the perfect jigs for your workshop. Take advantage of the free woodworking plans to easily construct these wooden jigs and elevate your woodwork! Next to downloading the woodworking jig templates, You can also watch my woodworking jig videos below to learn how to make these wooden jigs.

What is a woodworking jig?

Woodworking jigs are tools designed to aid woodworkers in various tasks such as cutting, shaping, and jointing. These helpful devices aim to help woodworkers achieve accurate measurements and shapes in a much faster and more efficient manner. Different types of jigs exist for numerous purposes, each specifically designed for the task at hand.

Woodworkers often use table saw jigs, which mount onto this power tool for cutting at precise angles. Router jigs are another kind of tools employed to guide router bits for clean and accurate cuts. Additionally, dovetail jigs facilitate the chopping of dovetails while mortise and tenon jigs help to craft solid mortise and tenon joints.

In addition to specialized jigs, there are several multi-functional tools that woodworkers can use for various activities. These range from clamping and drilling jigs to sanding jigs. What’s more, many craftspersons utilize their own custom-made jigs to accommodate their individual requirements and tastes. This article is here to help you make these handy tools for your workshop. In conclusion, jigs represent a great asset for any woodworker striving for accuracy and speed. They make difficult tasks much easier and generate superior results in less time.

Best homemade woodworking jigs

Best woodworking jigs #1: Cross cut sled

The first one on the list of the best woodworking jigs, I can recommend, is the table saw sled to make crosscuts.

Not long after purchasing my Makita table saw, I built this sled.

This table saw sled allows me to safely cut wood, even smaller pieces. By placing the wood against the fence, I’m always sure that the wood has been cut at right angles.

T-tracks are placed in the fence, and also in the bottom plate of this table saw sled. Thanks to those rails, jigs, and clamps can be easily mounted.

This table saw sled has the advantage that both the zero clearance insert, in the bottom plate and in the fence, are replaceable.

The fence can also be adjusted at any time so that it is always square.

I use this sled for 99% of my woodworking projects, which is why this had to be in this list of my top 5 best woodworking jigs!

By clicking on the link below, you will go to a separate blog, in which I explain more about the table saw sled. In that article, I will show you step-by-step how to build it, and you can download the free woodworking plans to build this jig as well. 

Download the free woodworking jig plans pdf:

Best woodworking jigs #2: Star knob jig​

This star knob jig was one of the first jigs I built, and I have never regretted it.

I use these so often, that this star button maker should not be missing from this top 5 best woodworking jigs list.

This jig allowed me to create my own buttons with a simple drill bit, and from there, gave me the opportunity to use them for many other projects.

The buttons are very quick and easy to make, and the possibilities for using them are endless. An absolute must to have in your workshop too.

Use the dimensions on the free downloadable template to make these knobs too.

Also for this jig, I will soon publish a detailed blog. In that article, I will explain more about the star knob jig.

So be sure to come back to my website, or subscribe to the newsletter to be the first to be notified when I upload the blog.

Best woodworking jigs #3: Kerfmaker​

A kerfmaker is a tool that you can buy in your hardware store or online, but I took the challenge to make it myself.

Making dados and grooves has been a breeze since I got this kerfmaker. Previously, the grooves I made were either too small or too wide.

That resulted in the fact that I couldn’t insert the board, or the board was to lose. Thanks to this kerfmaker, that’s a thing of the past. That is the reason I have added this kerfmaker to my list of the best woodworking jigs.

How to make this Kerfmaker yourself, as well as the free homemade woodworking jig plans to make it, can be found in the blog that I posted online some time ago.

Go to that blog by clicking on the button below. In this blog, I will also explain how to use this kerfmaker. Once you know how to do it, you can make kerfs almost automatically.

Download the free plans:

Best woodworking jigs #4: Plywood handling system​

This plywood handling system came about because I had to move a lot of plywood.

To move a sheet of plywood, you have to be with 2 persons. Most of the time I am alone in my workshop. Moving a sheet of plywood on myself is almost impossible, it is too big and too heavy.

I wanted not only a system to move plates, but also a system to place those plates on my workbench, without too much effort.

I made these 2 parts that can work together perfectly. With this system, I can easily carry the plate up to the workbench. There I can hook it into the second part of this system. After that, it is easy to tilt the entire plate with one hand until it is on the workbench.

No more dragging with those big heavy sheets of plywood. That is why I see this jig as one of the best woodworking jigs in my workshop.

Also for this jig, I will soon publish a detailed blog in which I will explain more about this system.

So be sure to come back to my website, or subscribe to the newsletter to be the first to be notified when I upload the blog.

Best woodworking jigs #5: Router dado & template jig​

The last but certainly not the least of the best woodworking jigs is this router dado and template jig.

If you have to make an accurate groove or mill a surface with the router, or even a small pocket hole, this is very easy with this jig.

You slide the jig open to the size of the opening you want to make. Set the stop blocks, and you can mill the perfect opening or slot without worry.

Also for this jig, I will soon publish a detailed blog in which I will explain more about this system. So be sure to come back to my website, or subscribe to the newsletter to be the first to be notified when I upload the blog.

This was my top 5 most used and best woodworking jigs in my workshop. Does this mean that this is the perfect woodworking jig kit?

It is for me, but you may have other needs.

So adjust this list to the jigs you need. You can find some inspiration in my other blogs, or on my YouTube channel, to build your list of the best woodworking jigs like a doweling jig, a cabinet hardware jig, a circle cutting jig, router circle hole drilling jig and much more.