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If you enjoy DIY or woodworking, jigs are the secret sauce that turns guesswork into repeatable precision. Think of a jig as a recipe for a cut or joint — once you set it up, you can reproduce the result over and over with far less stress and far fewer mistakes. Whether you’re trimming a cabinet door or making dovetail joints for a keepsake box, a good jig will save time, material, and headaches.
There’s a bewildering range of jigs out there, but most fall into a few handy categories. Knowing the differences helps you pick the right kit for your projects and budget.
Router jigs guide your router to create precise grooves, profiles, and templates. A template guide or circle-cutting jig, for example, will let you cut perfect circles in wood up to several inches across, and dovetail or box-joint jigs make decorative joinery repeatable. Router jigs are especially handy if you do lots of edge work or decorative inlays.
Drill press jigs help you drill perfectly perpendicular holes, and pocket-hole jigs set the angle and spacing for hidden screws. If you want strong, neat work with consistent screw spacing, a pocket-hole jig is worth its weight in saved sanding time and filler.
Crosscut sleds and mitre jigs for table saws and circular saw guides let you make square and repeatable cuts. These jigs turn a basic saw into a precision machine for cutting shelves, frames, and repetitive parts.
Sanding jigs cradle small parts to be sanded uniformly without finger marks, while finishing jigs help you hold items for spraying or oiling. They’re the unsung heroes when you want a factory-smooth finish on a hand-made piece.
Choosing a jig is part art, part logic. Ask yourself: what will I use it for most — joinery, shaping, repeat cuts, or drilling — and how often? If you build furniture regularly, investing in a robust jig makes sense. For occasional jobs, a versatile, affordable jig will usually do the trick.
Metal jigs tend to be more stable and repeatable, while MDF or plywood versions are cheaper and easy to modify. If you’re making a jig for heavy-duty work, aim for steel or anodized aluminum. For one-off templates, a hardwood or plywood jig will work fine and can be tailored quickly.
Check that the jig fits your tools — router diameter, saw blade size, or drill press table spacing. Adjustable jigs give you more mileage; a jig with adjustable fences, stops, and clamps will cover more projects than a fixed template.
The UK market offers a broad range of retailers, from big-box chains with competitive prices to specialist stores that stock premium jigs and brand-name accessories. Below are some of the best places to check, based on availability, range, and value.
Screwfix is a go-to for tradespeople and serious DIYers. They stock a wide selection of jigs — from basic pocket-hole kits to heavy-duty router templates — and you’ll find well-known brands alongside affordable in-house options. If you need something quickly, their extensive network of stores and online ordering make it easy to get hold of tools and accessories in a day or two.
Toolstation offers competitive prices and a practical range of jigs and guides. They often carry compact solutions perfect for jobsite use, like compact mitre guides and portable circular saw guides. Their kit-focused approach is great for someone building a toolkit piece by piece without breaking the bank.
B&Q caters to home DIYers and hobbyists, stocking a mix of entry-level and mid-range jigs. If you want a general-purpose jig for weekend projects, B&Q is a convenient starting point. You’ll also find useful accessories such as clamps, templates, and measuring tools to pair with your jig.
Wickes is another high-street option with practical solutions and seasonal deals. Their range leans towards household carpentry and DIY rather than specialist joinery, so it’s a good fit if your projects are around the home — decking, shelving, and small furniture pieces.
Homebase stocks basic jigs and a range of accessory tools that are ideal for homeowners. Their selection is suitable for light work and fitting projects. They’re also handy when you need clamps, router bits, or sanding supplies to pair with a new jig.
Axminster is a specialist woodworking supplier with a superb selection of high-quality jigs and accessories. If you’re serious about woodworking, browse their range of precision jigs from premium brands, plus made-to-last bespoke solutions. Axminster tends to cater to experienced users who want accuracy and durability measured in inches, not days.
Machine Mart focuses on workshop machinery and heavy-duty accessories. Their jigs and fixtures are often rugged and suited to garage-based workshops. Expect solutions designed for frequent use and projects that require greater stability and power.
Amazon offers enormous variety and competitive pricing, including budget jigs, kit bundles, and niche templates from smaller brands. The biggest advantage is choice: if you want a specific jig type or a novel accessory, chances are you’ll find it here. Do check reviews and specifications carefully before buying.
Robert Dyas is a good option for homeowners who want a combination of usability and value. Their selection tends to be geared toward practical household projects, with straightforward jigs that are easy to set up and use for one-off jobs or small batches.
If you want to level up your toolkit, knowing which brands specialise in jigs helps. Some brands are synonymous with quality; others are brilliant value. Here are a few to look out for.
Trend is well-known for router jigs and precision accessories. Their template systems and guide bushes are industry-standard in many UK workshops, offering consistent results for routing and joinery tasks.
Festool makes premium jigs that integrate with their power tools, focusing on durability and dust control. Expect a premium price, but the engineering is geared toward professional repeatability and efficient setup.
These power-tool giants offer a mix of jigs and attachments designed to work seamlessly with their machines. If you already own tools from these brands, getting matching accessories can be a smart choice to ensure perfect fit and compatibility.
Wolfcraft makes clever, user-friendly jigs aimed at hobbyists and small workshop owners. Their solutions are often compact, adjustable, and good value for somebody who wants reliable results without a pro-level budget.
Deciding whether to spend big on a jig depends on how often you’ll use it and how critical accuracy is to the end product. A premium jig can be a fantastic investment for frequent use, offering long-term precision and fewer adjustments. But for occasional tasks, a cheaper jig that is adaptable and easy to modify will usually do the job.
If you make furniture professionally or care deeply about flawless joinery, spend on a high-quality jig. Premium jigs often reduce setup time, improve repeatability, and can last many years without warping or losing calibration.
For one-off projects, trial-and-error learning, or casual weekend builds, budget jigs are sensible. They’re lightweight, easier to store, and simple to alter if your project changes. You can always replace them with a sturdier option later if your hobby becomes a habit.
Jigs improve precision but can also introduce new hazards if used incorrectly. Follow basic safety rules and you’ll avoid costly mistakes and injuries.
Always clamp the workpiece firmly and ensure the jig is mounted securely. A loose jig will ruin the cut and can kick back the material. Take an extra minute to check alignment and test the setup on scrap wood — it’s a tiny investment of time that often prevents big headaches.
Wear eye protection, hearing protection, and a dust mask when cutting or routing — especially when you’re working with small parts and tight jigs where chips and dust can blast toward your face. Gloves can be useful for handling rough stock but avoid loose-fitting gloves around rotating tools.
Jigs are great at transforming beginner-level projects into polished results. Here are a few accessible projects where a simple jig makes a big difference.
A crosscut or mitre jig helps you produce identical shelf supports in minutes. Grab a stop-block and you’ll have multiple pieces of the same length to within a fraction of an inch — perfect for tidy, level shelving installations.
Box-joint and dovetail jigs let you produce professional-looking joinery without years of practice. These jigs are especially satisfying because they turn a pile of boards into a solid, attractive box with neat corners and great strength.
A router template or guide bush will help you add decorative edges consistently across multiple pieces, such as crown moulding or tabletop trims. With a pattern and a router, you’ll be repeating the same ornate profile like a pro.
Good maintenance extends the life of your jigs and keeps them accurate. Treat them like precision tools rather than disposable gadgets.
Wipe dust off rails and moving parts with a dry cloth, then apply a light coating of dry lubricant or paste wax to sliding surfaces. That small step keeps clamps from sticking and fences from binding, preserving accuracy measured in fractions of an inch.
Many jigs are made from MDF, plywood, or light metals. Store them flat in a dry place to prevent warping and rust. A shallow shelf or hangers in the workshop will make them easy to find when you need them next.
Before you click buy, run through this quick checklist: Is it compatible with your tool? Is it adjustable? What material is it made from? Does it come with clear instructions or templates? Will it handle the thicknesses and widths you commonly work with — say, 1/2 inch or 3/4 inch stock? Checking these items helps ensure your new jig becomes a well-used part of your toolkit, not a box-filler gathering dust.
Jigs are a powerful multiplier for skill. They make repeatable, accurate work achievable for hobbyists and professionals alike. The UK market offers everything from budget-friendly starter jigs to high-end specialist systems. Match the jig to your projects, choose the right retailer for your needs — whether that’s a specialist store for premium tools or a general retailer for convenience — and maintain your jigs well. With the right setup, you’ll hit repeatable precision every time and enjoy the process a whole lot more.
| Jigs | Price | |
|---|---|---|
| Amtech 84 Piece Woodworking Dowel Jig Kit | £ 16,99 |
