Must-Have Table Saw Accessories: 4 Shop-Made Jigs
Like most woodworkers, I use a variety of power tools throughout the day. But if there's one machine that gets more use than any other in my shop, it's the table saw.
From breaking down lumber to cutting precise joinery, the table saw handles an incredible range of woodworking tasks.
One of the things that makes my table saw so useful is the collection of shop-made table saw accessories I've built over the years.
These simple jigs help me work more efficiently, make accurate and repeatable cuts, and improve control of the workpiece.
Best of all, you don't need to spend a fortune on commercial accessories. Many of the most useful table saw upgrades can be built from scrap plywood, hardboard, and a few inexpensive pieces of hardware.
Here are four of my favorites.
1. Build a Push Block for Better Table Saw Control
A good push block is one of the most important accessories you can have at the table saw.
At first glance, this shop-made push block looks pretty simple. But a closer look reveals a few features that make it especially useful.
The most noticeable is the high-mounted handle.
Positioning the handle well above the workpiece helps keep your hand away from the saw blade while providing a comfortable grip.
A Forward-Swept Handle Improves Control
The handle also sweeps forward over the body of the push block.
This allows you to apply steady downward pressure as you feed the workpiece through the blade.
That added control helps keep the material firmly against the table during the cut.
The goal is to guide the workpiece smoothly without placing your fingers near the blade.
Replaceable Parts Make the Push Block Last Longer
One feature I particularly like is the replaceable body and cleat.
Over time, these parts can become worn or damaged as the push block passes over the blade.
Rather than replacing the entire accessory, you can flip the body or cleat to use a fresh edge.
When those surfaces are worn out, simply make new pieces and reattach the handle with a screw.
It's a practical design that keeps this important safety accessory in service.
Get the Plans: Shop-Made Push Block
2. Add a Flip Stop for Repeatable Crosscuts
Cutting several pieces to exactly the same length can be frustrating.
Even when you carefully measure and mark every workpiece, small differences can creep into the finished parts.
A flip stop attached to an auxiliary miter gauge fence makes the process much easier.
Once it's positioned, you can use the stop as a reference for cutting multiple pieces to the same length.
A Simple Clamp-On Design
The flip stop is attached to an L-shaped block using a bolt and wing nut.
The block is then bolted to a piece of hardboard, creating a clamp that fits over the auxiliary fence.
A plastic knob locks the assembly in place.
To keep the stop from slipping, I added sandpaper to the inside surfaces that contact the fence.
The sandpaper provides extra grip without requiring excessive clamping pressure.
How to Use the Flip Stop
Start by flipping the stop up and out of the way.
Square one end of the workpiece using the miter gauge and auxiliary fence.
Then flip the stop down, position the squared end against it, and make the final cut.
Repeat the process for the remaining workpieces.
The result is a set of parts cut to a consistent length without measuring each one individually.
Table Saw Safety: When crosscutting with a stop, make sure the workpiece isn't trapped between the blade and a fixed stop or rip fence. Use an appropriate miter gauge or sled setup that allows the cutoff to move freely.
3. Make an Inexpensive Table Saw Outfeed Roller
Ripping long boards or large panels can be challenging when you're working alone.
As the material moves past the blade, the unsupported end can drop or become difficult to control.
A good outfeed support makes handling long workpieces much easier.
And you don't need an expensive roller stand to get the job done.
Build the Roller from Scrap Materials
This shop-made outfeed roller uses just a few basic materials:
- Scrap lumber for the support structure
- A short length of PVC pipe for the roller
- A wooden dowel for the axle
- A few screws for assembly
The PVC pipe rotates around the dowel, allowing the workpiece to move smoothly across the support.
Clamp the Roller to a Sturdy Support
One of the best features of this design is that it can be clamped securely to an existing support, such as a sawhorse.
That eliminates the need to build a separate stand.
It also helps keep the roller from tipping or shifting as material passes over it.
Position the roller so it supports the workpiece at the proper height without lifting it off the table saw surface.
The roller should support the stock as it exits the cut, not steer it away from the fence.
4. Build a Table Saw Tenoning Jig
Cutting tenons is another job where a simple shop-made jig can make a big difference.
Commercial tenoning jigs can be expensive, but this version uses a straightforward design that you can build with basic materials.
The jig fits over the table saw's rip fence and slides along it during the cut.
Because the jig references the fence, adjusting the fence position allows you to control the location of the cut.
Simple Plywood Construction
The jig starts with two face pieces.
A dado in one face holds a vertical stop that positions the workpiece.
Additional dadoes accept the spacers that allow the jig to fit over the rip fence.
The goal is a smooth sliding fit without excessive side-to-side movement.
Since rip fences vary in size, you'll need to fit the jig to your particular saw.
More Than Just a Tenoning Jig
The primary purpose of this jig is to hold a workpiece vertically while cutting the cheeks of a tenon.
But it can handle other joinery tasks as well.
For example, you can use the same basic setup to cut smooth cheeks for half-lap joints or make bridle joints.
That versatility makes it a useful accessory to keep near the table saw.
Safety Note: The workpiece must be positively secured to the jig before cutting. Verify that the jig slides smoothly, maintains adequate blade clearance, and is compatible with your saw's guard and riving-knife requirements. Never rely on hand pressure alone to hold a vertically oriented workpiece.
Why Shop-Made Table Saw Accessories Are Worth Building
The best woodworking jigs aren't necessarily the most complicated.
Often, they're simple accessories that solve a specific problem and make a routine operation easier.
Each of these four table saw accessories serves a different purpose:
- The push block improves workpiece control while helping keep your hands away from the blade.
- The flip stop makes repeatable crosscuts faster and more consistent.
- The outfeed roller provides support when ripping long boards or panels.
- The tenoning jig helps produce accurate joinery using a simple fence-guided setup.
Together, they make the table saw more versatile and convenient to use.
Upgrade Your Table Saw with Simple Shop-Made Jigs
You don't have to buy expensive accessories to get more out of your table saw.
With a little plywood, a few pieces of hardware, and some time in the shop, you can build practical jigs that improve your woodworking.
Whether you're cutting small parts, working with long boards, or making joinery, these DIY table saw accessories are useful additions to almost any workshop.
And once you start building your own jigs, you'll probably find plenty of other ways to make your table saw even more useful.
2 Must-Have Table Saw Jigs
Ready to build more accessories for your table saw? In 2 Must-Have Table Saw Jigs, the Woodsmith Shop team builds a precision cutoff sled and an adjustable tenoning jig designed to make accurate cuts and joinery easier.
You'll see practical construction techniques and useful features that make these two jigs valuable additions to almost any woodworking shop.
WATCH THE TABLE SAW JIG BUILDS → Take Your Table Saw Accuracy to the Next Level
