Home Improvements

[mathisonr1]

About a week ago I read in one of the forums that this one person would rather buy a jig or fixture than build it himself. His reason being, why waste the time building a jig when his time could be better spent building a more worth while project. This comment has been bothering me since I read it. I for one feel that if it's good practice of one's skills to buid your own jigs and fixtures. Especially if you're new to woodworking. It also helps with ones fabrication, design and finishing skills. Think of it this way. Where would so many of us be if Norm bought his router table and so many of his jigs instead of building his own?

[Larry.Jenkins]

I agree.

It might take time, but he will finally realize that building, or better, designing and building his own jigs and fixtures will make him a much better woodworker. 

IF he has the desire to do so.

Larry

[ductape]

I agree also. I feel that if I can't, or want build a jig, then I don't need to be using it.

I get the big head just the same when I say, I built that, whether it is a jig or a paneled door. 

[dad4taylor]

I enjoy good results when I work with wood and have limited time to spend doing it.  I only build jigs when I have to or when I'm too cheap to buy.  I hope that doesn't make anybody think less of me. 

[grandpabear]

   some times i buy especially safety stuff, 2 grippers, 2 griptites but i made my router table and fence, 3 sleds, a couple of aux fences. it mostly depends on my attitude at the time i need it.

[GeorgeK-NJ]

Not sure why this is posted under "Home Improvements" instead of one of the other forums, but anyway here

is my take.

Some of us have a limited amount of time to spend in the shop.  If I spent that time building jigs, I wouldn't have time to build anything else.   Don't get me wrong I've built jigs to help with a project when a specific jig is needed to get the job done more effectively and the use of my overall time is better spent.  But if I could buy something that would save me a few hours in the shop, I'd do it.

I remember a guy here years ago.  He built and posted some very nice jigs, router tables, table extensions, etc., but I never really saw anything ever produced.

[TNT Sr]

I haven't bought a jig and unless I have more money lying around than scrap, probably won't.  I used to try and do things without them.  My rationale was, I'm only making this once and at the time, my skills were limited and I was having a hard enough time building my projects   As time went on and my skills improved somewhat, I find myself with more jigs that have been used on many different projects, even though they were only built for one specific one at the time.  Again, I get back to cost.  There are many jigs out there for just about any project and if you've got the money, go right ahead.

Troy

[mark ball]

I'm with Dad, my shop time is for my enjoyment only - not there to make $$, and I enjoy making things for the house, not jigs to hang on the garage wall.  So, I will do what I enjoy.