Favorite Wood For Jigs

fjimp · Post by **fjimp** » Mon May 12, 2008 7:36 pm

Saturday Morning during the Saw Dust Session I ask Drew and Nick what wood type the prefered for making jigs. Drew quipped "American Plywood," Nick suggested "Baltic Birch" then if I understood him correctly commented that this years crop was af questionable quality.

A search today netted me no Blatic Birch at all. Now I am wondering what other woods others would suggest for jig making.

On a related topic I have made several of the jigs Drew and Nick illustrate on Saturday mornings. Each time I do I find I both master new skills and secondly find additional jigs to make other projects easier to build. Thanks Nick and Drew your expertise is greatly appreciated. Jim

Nick · Post by **Nick** » Mon May 12, 2008 7:47 pm

You're most welcome, Jim. When I was writing books for Rodale, the marketing folks asked me -- seriously -- if they could refer to me as the "Jigmeister" in their advertising copy. I politely told them, "Over my dead body."

Go to Google and type in "baltic birch plywood." You'll find plenty of sources.

With all good wishes,

paulmcohen · Post by **paulmcohen** » Mon May 12, 2008 7:51 pm

fjimp wrote: A search today netted me no Blatic Birch at all. Now I am wondering what other woods others would suggest for jig making.

If you have a Rockler near by they sell it, they always stock 30x60 sheets and some 60x60 sheets in many sizes from 1/4" to 3/4". About every three months they run a 50% off sale or buy one get one free and I always stock up. This is what I use for my jigs and drawer sides and bottoms.

shydragon · Post by **shydragon** » Mon May 12, 2008 8:18 pm

The different pattern shops around the Portland area, that supply us with our patterns, used to use baltic birch among other materials. Over the last year, they have gone to something called "ApplePly" It was easier to get and just as stable. I was looking at a sheet at one of the shops, and along the edge it read, "appleply/maple"

From what I read on the web, It is still baltic birch, alder, maple veneers. I'll have to ask, when I go to one of the shops tomorrow.

fjimp · Post by **fjimp** » Tue May 13, 2008 6:23 pm

Thanks to all who responded. After Nicks message I googled and discovered two things fairly quicky. None available in Central Virginia. Rocklers does have the best prices for the sizes I need just now so I ordered a suppy to get me by until I move. Once in Denver Rockler will be close at hand. I also appreciated the other uses explained. Thanks again. Jim

Ed in Tampa · Post by **Ed in Tampa** » Tue May 13, 2008 11:50 pm

Interestingly the Fine WoodWorking did an article on Jig building material. They listed Phenolic Ply as the wood of choice. This is a baltic ply type ply with a plenolic laminate on both sides. WoodCraft and others sell this product in 2x4 sheets and you can buy it from Plywood suppliers. You will not likely find it in a big box store (HD Lowes, Menards etc.)

I have never used the stuff but from reading the article I may just invest in a small quantity and see what it offers.

Fine Woodworking claims it is make a super router table and aux fences.

The phenolic is colored but the article mentions that most suppliers only order or keep on hand one or at most two colors.
Ed

a1gutterman · Post by **a1gutterman** » Tue May 13, 2008 11:58 pm

Ed in Tampa wrote:Interestingly the Fine WoodWorking did an article on Jig building material. They listed Phenolic Ply as the wood of choice. This is a baltic ply type ply with a plenolic laminate on both sides. WoodCraft and others sell this product in 2x4 sheets and you can buy it from Plywood suppliers. You will not likely find it in a big box store (HD Lowes, Menards etc.)

I have never used the stuff but from reading the article I may just invest in a small quantity and see what it offers.

Fine Woodworking claims it is make a super router table and aux fences.

The phenolic is colored but the article mentions that most suppliers only order or keep on hand one or at most two colors.
Ed

Thank you, Ed. That sounds like it may be the thing to use. Of course, the baltic ply works good, so if the phenolic ply is pricey, well.........Let us know how your trial works out!

friscomike · Post by **friscomike** » Wed May 14, 2008 12:05 am

Howdy,

Speaking of baltic birch for jigs, how many plies do you use? I have a couple of 13 ply Russian plywood sheets and at this point, I am loath to use them for jigs

.

Best Regards,
mike

a1gutterman · Post by **a1gutterman** » Wed May 14, 2008 12:16 am

friscomike wrote:Howdy,

Speaking of baltic birch for jigs, how many plies do you use? I have a couple of 13 ply Russian plywood sheets and at this point, I am loath to use them for jigs .

Best Regards,
mike

Hi Mike,
I can sure understand your reluctance to use wood that you feel is too valuable for jigs, but what is a jig if not a very valuable tool that you will want to use time and time again? One use only jigs may not justify quality materials, but any jig that you plan on using repeatably, IMHO, deserves to be made with only the best!

Now I have questions for you: What is the thickness of that 13 ply Russian board that you have? How thick are the 2 exposed plys (aka, veneers)?

friscomike · Post by **friscomike** » Wed May 14, 2008 12:51 am

Howdy,

I agree on using good quality wood fr jigs, they are just like a tool. I was just wondering about using 13 ply for jigs. The wood is 3/4", but I'll need to go out to the shop and measure the veneer.

The stuff was $134 a 4X8 sheet. Since I haven't bought much plywood in a while, I was a bit shocked. I'll be using it to build a television and stereo insert for a large antique wardrobe we picked up in Belgium. It is in the bedroom facing the bed, so my wife will love it. (It is the second thing I will build with the new Shopsmith, the first beign her potting bench

.)

Best Regards,
mike