Summary:
This video is about how to make a jig to cut thin strips on the table saw.
The materials you will need are:
A couple of scraps
Tee nuts and bolts
Star knobs
Brad point bit
Forstner bit
CA glue
Accelerator spray
First, you need to mark and drill the center of the bigger scrap to accept the tee nut. Then, use tape to mark off on the drill bit how deep you need to drill to fit the tee nut. It is important to use a brad point bit here so that you can reference the center of the hole again to drill out the rest of the hole for the bolt.
Next, swap out the bit to the diameter of the bolt that you are using and mark off on that bit how deep you need to drill and then drill away. Because you used the brad point bit, you should be able to find the center really easily to put the t-nut into place.
To keep the bolt in place, you need to lock it with a nut. You can swap out the regular nut for a wing nut, which is easier to tighten.
Screw the bolt so that it is all the way out and then put it up against the blade and mark where the runner should go. You can use leftover HDPE from your crosscut sled for the runner.
Next, you need to attach the runner to the jig. You can do this by pre-drilling and countersinking the holes on the HDPE. Make sure that the screws that you are going to use completely fit through the hole so that it will not expand the plastic when you screw it in.
Moving on to the stop, you need to take a thin piece of scrap and cut it to the thickness of the tracks on your table saw fence. Then, drill out some holes so that the bolts will not get in the way of the table stop.
In order for the stopper to be attached to the jig, you need to drill a hole going all the way through. You can line up the stopper and then drill the hole using the same Forstner bit as before.
To use the jig, all you need to do is screw the bolt so that it's the perfect thickness between the top of the bolt to the edge of your blade and then lock it down with the nut. Then, take the stopper, put it into the holes, and tighten it up with the star knob so that it locks into place. Put the runner into your miter slot and it automatically stops so that the bolt is way ahead of the blade and it won't be dangerous at all.
Overall, this jig is a useful tool that can help you cut thin strips on the table saw safely and easily.
