Parts for your "JIG"

[BeauxTi]

I live just outside of Austin - and as of now the only access I have to Woodworking tools / odd and ends, Home Depot and Lowe's. They seem more and more just focused on general contractors. Guess that is where the big bucks are. That being said, the only place I can find bits and pieces hardware are on-line and in catalogs. I am kind of a hands on kinda guy. Any one know of a book or particular web site that can help show how to USE the Jig bits and pieces? Sorry for such a base question, I am trying to catch up as quickly as possible.

[Dal300]

There's a Woodcraft in Austin,

8904 Research Blvd.
Austin TX 78758
Phone: (512) 407-8787
Fax: (512) 407-8790
Austin-retail@woodcraft.com

[BeauxTi]

Thanks DAL300 - I have never heard of it. Went online - seems as good a place to start as any. Maybe take a walk through on my lunch hour.

[LCHIEN]

what kinds of jig parts? Ace hardware has a pretty well stocked asst. of knobs and inserts and stuff.
Lowes and HD has some cabinets of stuff but they are usually low and everything mis-binned.

[Poobah]

How about the parts assortment from Lee Valley? With the sale price you get a good deal on more parts than you'll likely need to get started.

Willing to spend more money, but save lots of time and get almost Lego-like instructions? Get the Incra build-it starter kit. This won't appeal to you if you strongly believe in making it all yourself, but just getting started you might prefer to focus on projects instead of jigs

[Pappy]

You say 'just outside of Austin' but not which way. The Austin Woodcraft is in north Austin. If you live south the San Antonio Woodcraft can sometimes be easier to get to. The difference in traffic makes the few extra miles worth it.

Weatherford Tools in south Austin deals in woodworking/construction tools. Jim stocks Amana, Whiteside, and CMT router bits. I haven't tried them, but he also cuts and welds bandsaw blades.

[Daryl]

Local Harbor Freight often has T-Track and toggle clamps.

[pelligrini]

Don't forget T-Nuts.com
http://www.t-nuts.com/bt3c/

I like having an assortment onhand for jig stuff. I've got a couple T-bolt kits from Rockler and Lee Valley, assorted BT sized t-bolts, nuts and studs from T-nuts .com a few lengths of t-track, a few pieces of MDF and baltic birch. If I get an idea for a jig I like being able to make it without hunting around for hardware.

[JimD]

They don't offer a lot of explanations but I like McMaster Carr. They have an unusually wide range of "things". I've bought small pieces of high strength aluminum, machined steel 1 inch rod, oilite bearings, plastic, and other assorted hardware from them.

Jim

[BeauxTi]

This is the thing - I don't know what I don't know. An example - I built this Box joint jig, I screwed it directly to my Miter. I have seen enough of the stuff you all talk about to know there is a better way. Making the jigs and things easier for set up and breakdown. For me just getting started is the key. I was hoping there was a site or book on what parts are available y to help accomplish x. I know some of you are scratching your heads wondering what the H*ll I am asking. Keep in mind this is new to me - just trying to figure out what is in the tool box and what it’s for before I have to work on the engine.

[Dal300]

Hah! if you saw my shop and some of my jigs you would know that there is nothing elegant or preplanned about any of it/them. I use the expedience method.
I need it NOW, so I build it, (slap it together).
When I'm done, It get's put in a corner until I need the parts for something else. Then it get's torn apart.

This is the thing - I don't know what I don't know. An example - I built this Box joint jig, I screwed it directly to my Miter. I have seen enough of the stuff you all talk about to know there is a better way. Making the jigs and things easier for set up and breakdown. For me just getting started is the key. I was hoping there was a site or book on what parts are available y to help accomplish x. I know some of you are scratching your heads wondering what the H*ll I am asking. Keep in mind this is new to me - just trying to figure out what is in the tool box and what it’s for before I have to work on the engine.

[cwsmith]

I'll tell the best way... do some reading and check out your local library to see what they might have. One of my favorite books (bought "used" at a library book sale over a decade ago) is John De Cristoforo's Complete Book of Power Tools. It's was published in the late 60's, early 70's, but has lots of jigs and other ideas for various power tools.

That's just one, and there are many others. Shop Notes and many of the other popular magazines also have lots of jigs, though it would take considerable time to search and collect all that information which is distributed over the many issues.

Over on the Ridgid.com forum, there's a special thread in the "woodworking" column, called "Niki's Stuff". The gentleman passed away a year or so ago, but he was fantastic in his skills and generosity of sharing those with the forum members. Much of his stuff is posted there: https://www.ridgidforum.com/forum/t17581/

Much of what you will find (anywhere) is pretty decent, and the ideas and creations that most people have shared is truly innovative. Hopefully, it will not only give you some great projects to work out, but also provide you with the knowledge and encentive to make your own.

In the case of "Niki", he didn't have all the hardware that we, here in the U.S. have; but, he was very innovative and worked out his own stuff.

As far as the hardware itself, check out Rockler (Rockler.com) and Lee-Valley (Leevalley.com). I've made a couple of minor purchases from both. The T-track kits from Rockler can give you some basic hardware to start and the Lee-Valley has similar (and additional hardware kits). Both often have these on sale, as I believe one of the hardware kits at Lee-Valley is presently on sale.

Good luck,

CWS

[Ed62]

I'll second the going to the library suggestion. That's a good way to get cheap information on most things. Following are a couple of things you'll likely find in books on jig making:

It is pretty easy (and cheap) to make your own knobs, using threaded inserts and a piece of scrap, and toilet bolts will fit many T-tracks, so you can screw them into the inserts in the knobs.

You can also buy 2 router bits to mill your own T-track right into the stock. That works pretty well if you're going to use more than a little T-track.

Ed

[greenacres2]

I'm greener than Beaux--and learning from his questions. CWSmith's comments have me wondering if a "Jig" section on the board might get enough interest to be added. Could be a place to post questions, pictures, and ideas--kind of a clearing house of jigs. Just thinking as i get ready to do more than just cut some 2 x4's.

Thanks to all y'all for your input--as soon as it gets above freezing...i'm headed back out to try it for real.

earl

[Carpenter96]

Jigs

There are many books on jigs and fixtures. Some specific to a paticular machine, Table saw, Router etc. Wood Magazine, Popular Woodworking, Fine Woodworking, Shop Notes etc. I have quite a few jigs and some are very simple while others are quite complex and definately not for the beginer. We all start at zero and only progress by doing, trying and failing. No question is a foolish question because if we do not ask we may never know. Be safe, have fun and do not discount your skills. You can do projects out of cheaper woods at first but we all know that the vast quantity of wood species will call you and once you get hooked look out. I started out only making things from recycled wood from palllets. The way I look at jigs is if you are only expecting to make one of some thing a jig is probably a waste of time. The exception is safety. Regards Bob