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Best Type Of Wood For Jigs (ex. 90deg router jig)

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76blade posted on 07-07-2010 1:59 PM

Can anyone tell me which wood is best for jig such as 90 deg angle jigs ,since I used pine and the angle changed.

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Did you use a 2x4 or similar construction grade lumber for the materials for your jig?  You don't go inot much detail about how the jig has changed but if you did use construction grade lumber it is very likely that it was not as dry asn the surrounding air and simply changed shape as it dried.

You can use MDF or Baltic Birch plywood for jigs and be reasonably assured they will not warp or twist and will remain true.

Hope this helps you!

C J Struthers

C J Struthers

 

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I've always used a high-quality Baltic Birch for any and all jigs; even for those elements of a jig or fixture thicker than 3/4".  On those occasions, the lamination of pieces to the desired thickness has never been a problem.

Dimensionally stable and "voidless" in its plys, its "workability" is without equal.

When purchasing a sheet of Baltic Birch however, be mindful of its manufacture.  A sheet of "Birch Plywood" is not necessarily the same as a sheet of "Baltic Birch."  Lower grades of birch plywood will warp and distort under normal humidity and workshop conditions; high-quality (European?) birch plywood will not.  A rule of thumb in determining which is being sold by your supplier is the cost.  A local DIY wood supplier sells a sheet of Birch Plywood for $28.00 while the "Big Orange Box" stores sell a sheet for around $43.00.  For fixtures and jigs, the more expensive is the one you want (Probable true for most items we woodworkers desire, i.e., hand planes, routers, table saws, etc :o)

MDF (NOT Particle Board) is also a good choice for some applications.  Remember however, properly sized pilot holes are critical to securing the parts together.

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