This project was built and designed by Jodee from Inspire Woodcraft. It focuses on a smart woodworking technique for making cleaner, more precise cuts using an L-fence setup.
An L-fence offers an easy way to improve both accuracy and safety at the table saw. Jodee walks through how to set up and use one effectively to create flawless edges and shelves.
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What is an L-Fence?
An L-fence is a simple jig made from two pieces of plywood joined in an L-shape. The wider side faces forward to guide the workpiece, while the narrower side attaches securely to your table saw fence.
This setup helps prevent tear-out, stabilizes rough or imperfect boards, and makes cleaner cuts possible. It’s a highly versatile tool that belongs in any serious woodworker’s shop.
Why Use an L-Fence?
Using an L-fence provides better control during cutting, especially on boards that don’t have perfectly smooth edges. It also adds a layer of safety by keeping your hands farther from the blade.
Instead of struggling with fence pressure or awkward pushes, the workpiece glides along the stable face of the L-fence. This minimizes mistakes and gives you a cleaner, more professional result.
Preparing the Material
Before starting, Jodee selects boards that are mostly clean but might still have minor flaws. The worst waste is trimmed off at the bandsaw to get closer to the final dimensions.
Even after trimming, careful inspection is key to identifying rough patches that could affect cuts. The L-fence is set up to compensate for these imperfections and make sure the final cut is clean.
Setting Up the L-Fence
Jodee demonstrates how to properly position the L-fence on the stock fence. A spacer is placed between the L-fence and the material first to guarantee correct blade clearance.
Once clamped securely, the spacer is removed, leaving the L-fence aligned perfectly with the blade. This method ensures that each cut rides smoothly along the fence without drifting or binding.
Using a Template for Precision
To create repeatable, precise cuts, a template is taped onto the material using double-sided tape. The template rides along the L-fence during cutting, guiding the board through the blade.
Holding the template slightly back from rough sections allows clean-up without damaging the good part of the wood. This technique makes it possible to salvage more usable material from boards that might otherwise be wasted.
Making Clean, Safe Cuts
With everything set up, Jodee demonstrates how to make the cuts while keeping hands safely away from the blade. The L-fence acts like a protective barrier and a precision guide at the same time.
If imperfections are found during cutting, adjusting the template or flipping it can help avoid them. A final clean-up pass on the saw can fine-tune any remaining rough edges.
Saving Time and Working Efficiently
Jodee points out that many woodworkers think jig setups like this take too long. In reality, the setup happens quickly and pays off in smoother work and fewer mistakes.
Once in place, the L-fence can be used for multiple tasks beyond basic cuts. It’s useful for mitered cuts, bevels, pattern routing, and creating perfectly sized shelf blanks.
A Versatile Addition to Any Shop
Having an L-fence ready to go increases the range of what you can safely and accurately do on the table saw. Whether working with delicate veneers or rough lumber, the L-fence gives an extra layer of control.
Learning this technique is a small investment of time that pays big rewards in cut quality and shop safety. Jodee shows how mastering these setups builds better habits that improve every woodworking project.
Final Thoughts on the L-Fence Method
In this demonstration, Jodee from Inspire Woodcraft highlights the real-world benefits of using an L-fence for woodworking. Cleaner cuts, safer hands, and better project outcomes all come from mastering simple setups like this one.
The next time you need to process rough stock or ensure consistent results, consider adding an L-fence to your setup. It’s one of those small shop improvements that makes a big difference.
Support Jodee by visiting his online store here: https://inspirewoodcraft.com/collections/all.