Tips on Jigs for Table Saws

Crosscut Sled

• Most table saw manufacturers supply their saws with T-shaped crosscut braces that slide in the notches that are in the saw top. These are useful for crosscutting small pieces of wood, but are insufficient to supply the stability needed for large boards. You can build a crosscut sled with two runners that slide in both of the saw top notches, providing great stability for crosscutting. Crosscut sleds are usually about two by three feet in size, with a notch down the center in which the saw blade runs. By affixing vertical pieces to the front and back of the sled that extend higher than the saw blade cuts, you can prevent the blade from cutting the sled into two pieces.

Jointing Jig

• Ripping a warped board on a table saw is difficult, because when you run a warped side along the saw fence, you will simply cut the other side of the board along the same warped line. One solution is to joint one side of the board until it is straight so that you can run it true along the saw fence. If you don't have a jointer, you can do the same thing on a table saw with a jointing jig. This is basically a long piece of plywood with a straight edge with some clamps on top that you can use to attach your warped board. By joining the warped board to the straight jig, you effectively provide it with a straight edge. Then, when you rip the board, you will create a straight edge on the side where you ripped it. You can then remove the jig and rip the other side of the board running the straight side along the saw fence.

Resawing Jig

• Sometimes a table saw is used to resaw a thick piece of wood. Resawing is the act of cutting a board through its thickness to create two thinner boards, as opposed to the more common act of cutting it flat on the saw top. For example, if you have a board that is two inches thick and eight inches wide, you can resaw it to create two boards that are one inch thick and eight inches wide. To do this, you need to run the board across the saw standing it on its narrow edge, which is inherently unstable. A resawing jig is an L shaped board with a cleat that fits into the notch on the table saw top. The vertical side of the L supplies a stable face against which you can hold the board you are resawing, preventing you from wobbling it while sawing.