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Hi All
I'm about to take delivery of my first table saw. One of the first tasks i will have at hand is making a couple of jigs (i.e. crosscut sled and mitre sled). After watching a number of Youtube videos, it seems that alot of makers use Baltic Birch plywood (noting the majority of these are US based). My question is which type of wood would you recommend for jigs? and where do you generally source the wood from (especially for those based in Brisbane)?
thanks in advance
Dan
For a jig that will get lots of use, use some plywood. I often use cheap radiata ply but occasionally will go for some marine plywood. Bunnings is (sometimes) convenient and a little more expensive. If you can find a plywood dealer, they're often a bit cheaper with more range and better quality. From my local supplier in Melbourne, a sheet of 18mm baltic birch will be around $200 or so. The cheap radiata ply is around $60-80 depending on grade.
What an exciting time for you Dan!
Whilst I've used ply or solid timber that I've found cheaply from time to time, I really like 18 mm MDF for jigs. Very stable, glues up nicely, and provides a nice smooth surface, and is relatively inexpensive.
Also worth considering using Formply for this purpose. It's extremely stable (I've found some of the cheaper plywood likes to make itself into potato chips sometimes), and the coating often makes it more slick.
Also available in less than a 1200 x 2400 sheet from most green coloured hardware stores ;)
MDF is temptingly cheapest, and is dimensionally super stable/crush proof. However, in my (Brisbane climate-based) experience, it warps with humidity changes, and unless you edge band and seal it with oil-based varnish, it gets that 'distressed' look very quickly... Its also weak in simple butt joints at 90 degrees, so unless you wish jig making to include making the joints you probably want to 'make the jig to make', that's a PITA for all but very simple jigs. It also doesn't like screws to be stressed...
My jig making and using experience is that you get what you pay for. I buy marine ply at 12 or 18 mm, and seal with 3 coats of either danish oil or satin varnish. Rock solid, dimensionally stable once sealed, and it actually looks nice as a jig in the shop. I tend to edge band just for the hell of it with hardwood offcuts, but you don't 'need' to.
Just note the warning that all the online resources have - the nominal thickness varies by batch/brand! So check the actual thickness before cutting any parts for your next jigtastic masterpiece. :)
I make my sleds and jigs from White melamine particleboard. its hard wearing lasts and its easy to move your bits and pieces around on.
I get my ply from Zenith Timber, Greenbank Rd, North Maclean 5546 9777
When I need panel sheets for jigs etc I visit local cabinet makers and get the cover sheets, mostly MDF but one of them will now text me when some 12/18mm ply arrives.
yes I again usually trim 10mm off each side just to remove the strapping indents but at $10-$20 sheet I dont complain