Izzy Swan shared the woodworking tip featured in this video.
The video introduces a compact, homemade jig that allows a table saw to be used for turning tasks normally reserved for a lathe.
This simple setup makes it possible to produce dowels, tenons, tapers, and shaped profiles using common shop hardware and a bit of ingenuity.
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How the Jig Works
The jig clamps a workpiece between a driven head and a supported tailstock so the blank can rotate smoothly while being shaped.
Bearings and a simple bolt-based fastening system let the stock spin with minimal friction, enabling controlled shaping and sanding.
Setup and Fastening
Construction relies on straightforward hardware and repurposed parts to keep costs low and setup fast.
The head uses a threaded bolt through bearings to hold and align the blank while a tailstock rod slides into a matching hole to support the opposite end.
What You Can Make
The approach is flexible enough for rustic furniture applications and small shop projects, producing round tenons, dowels, and decorative profiles on both round and square stock.
It also handles tapers and more complex shapes when combined with basic templates or sanding jigs.
Shaping and Finishing
After shaping, the parts can be smoothed and refined with the usual sanding progression and finish choices to match the project’s aesthetic.
Izzy also teases additional finishing tricks and a simple bowl-making method in follow-up content to help bring natural wood to a glossy look.
Tips and Takeaways
The main advantage of this jig is its adaptability: it converts existing shop equipment into a useful turning station without specialized machinery.
It’s a practical technique for shop makers who want to expand capabilities while reusing common materials and salvaged parts.
Overall, the jig demonstrates how simple mechanical ideas can expand a small-shop toolset and open up new shaping options without a full lathe.
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