I literally don’t have space in my shop for a jointer or a bandsaw. So I built 3 table saw jigs that basically do the job of both. Here’s a quick rundown in case your shop is short on space too.
1. Edge Jointing & Tapering Jig
This jig gives you perfectly straight edges (90° to the face) so you can glue boards together cleanly. This essentially replaces a jointer for edge-jointing. Bonus: it also lets you cut tapers for legs and angled parts.
Click Here for detailed plans to the Tapering/Jointing Jig
2. Spline Jig
Miter joints can be fragile. This jig lets you reinforce them with splines—tiny pieces of wood that strengthen the corner while adding a stylish accent (I used walnut in a white oak frame). The key: your spline stock has to be sized exactly to fit the grooves. I show you how I made mine without any guesswork.
Click Here for detailed plans to the Precision Spline Jig
3. Resaw Jig
No bandsaw? No problem. This table saw jig lets you resaw boards into thinner pieces. But here’s the deal. You really should to use a 24-tooth ripping blade. This will give you better cuts and less burning. I also learned that the right hand saw (like a Japanese pull saw) makes a big difference when finishing the cut safely.
If you’ve got a small shop or just want simple, space-saving solutions, these jigs are a great next step.
Bonus Tip: I used shop-grade birch plywood for all three. It’s budget-friendly and looks great. And yes, I make detailed plans for all my jigs and shop furniture. You’ll find all of my workshop plans at thomascustomwoodworks.com.
- Thomas G.
P.S. Want to see all three jigs in action (plus a subtle Ted Lasso reference)? Watch the full video here: 3 Jigs YouTube Video