Table saw joinery jig DIY - Festool CMS LA fence (blog)
Table saw joinery jig DIY
for my Festool CMS LA fence
Merry Christmas must be my first words, as this blog post is on Christmas day, here in Denmark.
I went to my workshop today, thought it was time for some hot wine, fire in the stove and well…
I had no idea what, were just in the mood for a little woodworking, the smell of wood, machines running and creating something useful - as I had no idea, I thought of what I have been wanting to make and here came up a table saw jig, for my Festool CMS, that can be made for joinery. I actually made one some time back, a more advanced one, but the rolling table with miter fence on the CMS, is not as sturdy as I want it to be, when making this kind of joinery, so I wanted something, that could be used on the fence and locked down. Have seen several of these fence riding types on the www, so thought it was worth giving it a go.
Into the machine room, with a piece of good plywood.
I can already hear the jingle bells.
Might be the hot wine…
Two pieces of plywood cut - wauuuuuuu.
The fence is stripped for the side fence and bolts, so there are clean sides.
Now the plywood can be set on each side of the fence, this can be any table saw fence, here just on my Festool table saw.
Next up ripping some plywood, exactly to the width of the fence, this is the only cut that need to be ultra precise, so use some scrap to sneak in, before cutting the wood you need.
It may not be to tight, then the fence can't move and not too lose, then it will not make precise cuts.
(I used some thicker plywood as I had some scraps).
Testing like this, will guarantee that it fits, before any assembly.
Cut to length of the jig.
Small spacers in same width.
Will be constructed like this, for stability.
Back side.
Marking up, where the parts go.
Only one of the spacers will be glued in, so the other one is having a screw in it, for easy removal.
The centre can be found now.
To be marked on other side, to know where brat nails and screws need to go, during assembly.
Glue time!
Everything ready.
Glue up.
All in place.
Making sure the jig is 90 degrees to the table, before mounting other side.
Holding it in place with clamps and brat nailing it in place.
The lose spacer can be removed.
The reason I want to remove it, is to be able to use clamps if needed.
Drawing my fingers onto the backside of the jig…
This is to remind me.
The thumb goes into the jig, rest of the fingers on the back, like this the hand can hold it steady and push it down at the same time, to do it safe and stable.
Do you get it?
Some strips of plywood are cut, here 5 cm wide and the height of the jig.
The maximum height of the blade, is marked onto the jig.
To know where the toggle clamp can be mounted.
Being sure the saw blade will not hit it.
I decide to mount the toggle and the 90 degree stop, in the front, so I can easily see the cuts I make, don't know if it's clever, but it will be easy to move it to other end if needed.
So marking up a 90 degree line on the jig.
Marks for screws.
I screw the jig together on both sides, into the spacers, to make sure it's sturdy.
A straight edge onto the line I marked up.
The 5 cm plywood strips.
Put against the straight edge.
A couple of brat nails, no glue, as I want to be able to remove it.
Marking up where the toggle clamp go.
Pre drill.
Toggle screwed in place.
If you don't have a toggle or want to safe the money, you can skip the glued in upright spacer, so you can use regular clamps on the jig.
Made an extra spacer for the toggle, if I need to use it on thick stock.
So it can go like this.
Thinner spacers on top.
Now it fits the minimum size I expect to use.
The extras are put inside the jig, so they are easy to find when used.
No more talk, let's test it.
A piece of wood clamped in.
You can put a piece behind, to avoid tear out, when making finer joinery.
First cut made, looks good.
The wood piece are mirrored and second cut done.
Un clamp toggle.
Looks fine to me.
Ok, let's start over again and explain.
First set the cut depth for the table saw blade, this can be for a tenon, a lap joint, or tongue and groove, or what ever you want to make.
The jig is put on the fence.
Back side.
Wood piece put in place.
Clamped down.
This is why I wanted to try and have the stop and toggle on this side, so it's easy the set the cut, looking at the saw blade.
Let's saw!
First cut made.
Release toggle and turn wood piece 180 degrees.
Clamped in place.
Second cut made, this makes it dead center.
Now move the fence to clear out waste, this can be several cuts.
We got a groove and I'm a happy monkey, with a new jig.
A video of the jig in use:
All in all it's just another jig on the wall
All in all you're just another jig on the wall
We don't need no education
We don't need no thought control
No dark sarcasm in the classroom
Teachers, leave them kids alone
Hey, teachers, leave those kids alone!
and let us play in our workshops.
Smiles.
Merry ChristMads everyone, the snow has fallen here in Copenhagen.
Here another blueprint sketch, just for the joy of it.
Press
HERE for high res blue print.
Press
HERE for high res black and white for cheaper print.
www.felding.net/image/pic/festoolcmslajig/bluefestoollajig.JPG
www.felding.net/image/pic/festoolcmslajig/bwfestoollajig.JPG
Hope it can be to some inspiration and you all will have happy holidays, with people you love.
Best thoughts,
MaFe
