This idea was built and designed by Jodee from Inspire Woodcraft. These custom setup blocks are a smart, shop-made solution that helps woodworkers make quick, repeatable, and accurate tool adjustments—especially for angled cuts on the table saw.
Designed for both convenience and precision, the blocks include thoughtful features like notched edges and embedded magnets, making them adaptable to nearly any workflow. They’re a great example of how simple shop-made tools can lead to big improvements in efficiency.
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Why Setup Blocks Are So Useful
Setup blocks are a go-to tool when it comes to repeatable accuracy. They help position your saw blade at common angles like 90, 45, and 30 degrees, and remove the guesswork and fuss of lining things up with protractors or squares.
Unlike one-size-fits-all commercial jigs, these blocks can be tailored to fit your most-used angles. That makes them ideal for woodworkers who frequently switch between settings and want to avoid re-checking or re-measuring with every change.
Materials and Approach
Jodee uses maple for this project, a dense hardwood that stays flat and stable over time. Scrap wood is perfect here—if you’ve got leftover hardwood offcuts, this is a smart way to repurpose them into something practical.
Each block is milled square and smooth to ensure reliable references. Even a slight out-of-square edge can throw off a setup, so taking care with milling is essential. This part of the project shows the value of slowing down to get perfect results, even for small shop accessories.
Cutting Angles with Precision
Once the blanks are ready, the next step is cutting each block to the desired angle. Jodee uses the INCRA Miter 1000 HD to dial in exact degrees—an excellent tool for this kind of repeatable, accurate work.
The angles aren’t limited to just 45 or 90 degrees. You can cut whatever angles you use most often in your work, making this a highly customizable toolset for any woodworker. Jodee’s examples show how a variety of setups can be simplified with these blocks on hand.
Clever Design Features
A standout element of the design is a small notch cut into each angled block. This lets the block sit fully flat against the blade without getting caught on the teeth—especially helpful when referencing shallow angles or making micro adjustments.
These notches also help the blocks double as quick reference jigs. If you’re setting up cuts from the fence or working on tall pieces like cabinet panels, the block can register cleanly without interference.
Adding Magnets for Storage and Use
Jodee adds magnets to the base of each setup block to increase their versatility and keep them easy to store. After cutting shallow recesses, magnets are fixed in place using CA glue, locking them in securely.
With the magnets installed, the blocks can cling to metal surfaces like saw tables, fences, or even magnetic strips on a wall. This makes them quick to grab during tool changes and nearly impossible to misplace in the shop.
If your saw lacks steel surfaces, Jodee suggests adding a metal plate or magnetic bar nearby so the blocks can still be stored conveniently. The idea is to keep them in sight and within reach, right where you need them.
Real-World Use in the Shop
Once made, the setup blocks are used across a wide range of woodworking tasks. Whether you’re setting a miter gauge, adjusting blade tilt, or dialing in a consistent fence distance, these blocks help standardize the process.
Because they’re labeled and cut for exact angles, you can skip the step of checking every measurement manually. Just grab the block, set your tool, and get to work with confidence.
Jodee also points out that these blocks are perfect for anyone who does production runs or batch work. When you’re making dozens of identical cuts, even small setup time savings add up quickly.
Customization and Expansion
One of the biggest benefits of this project is the ability to expand it. As you identify more useful angles or distances, it’s easy to make additional blocks using the same method. You can even label or color-code them for quick identification.
This means your setup block collection grows alongside your skills and shop needs. Whether you’re building furniture, cabinetry, or shop jigs, having these blocks ready can speed up setup and improve accuracy.
A Simple Project That Delivers Big Value
Jodee’s approach to these setup blocks highlights what makes shop-made tools so valuable. They’re inexpensive, customizable, and deeply practical. Once you start using them, you’ll wonder how you ever worked without them.
The magnetic base, blade-notch design, and tailored angles combine into a tool that saves time and increases confidence in your cuts. And because they’re made from scrap, they’re a cost-effective upgrade with big impact.
Support Jodee by visiting his online store here: https://inspirewoodcraft.com/collections/all.