This guide was created by Norman Pirollo, a furniture designer and woodworking educator from WoodSkills. It features four essential jigs that make hand tool woodworking more accurate, efficient, and enjoyable.
Each jig highlighted here is built for a specific purpose and refined through years of experience. For anyone focused on detail-driven work, these jigs are practical additions to the hand tool workflow.
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Why Hand Tool Jigs Matter
In hand tool woodworking, precision is everything. Unlike machines that offer speed and automation, hand tools rely on skill, consistency, and accurate setup.
Jigs help bridge that gap. They reduce human error, speed up repetitive tasks, and ensure clean results—without compromising the feel of traditional craftsmanship.
Norman has narrowed his daily use down to four core jigs: the thicknessing sled, the dovetail jig, the bench hook, and the shooting board. Each serves a unique purpose, and together they form the backbone of his hand tool workflow.
1. Thicknessing Sled
The thicknessing sled is designed to help create even, repeatable thicknesses for small wooden parts. It’s particularly useful for work like Kumiko, where precision in small components is essential.
The sled features a guide rail for a block plane, allowing smooth passes across the surface. Spacers can be added under the workpiece to set exact thicknesses, and the sled can be adjusted to accommodate longer parts as needed.
Proper grain alignment is important when using this jig. Following the grain reduces tear-out and results in a cleaner finish. With a thicknessing sled in your shop, dimensioning small pieces becomes faster, safer, and far more consistent.
2. Dovetail Jig
Dovetail joints remain a benchmark of fine woodworking, and this jig makes the layout and marking process simpler and more accurate. It secures both tail and pin boards, allowing precise scribing and layout without shifting or slippage.
The jig includes spring-loaded cauls with sandpaper strips, which offer one-handed operation and a strong grip. These features help keep the boards steady while you work, removing the need for a second set of hands or additional clamps.
Once the tail board is secured and marked, a square ensures proper alignment before transferring the lines to the pin board. This jig protects your bench surface and encourages cleaner cuts, making dovetail layout less intimidating for beginners and faster for experienced woodworkers.
3. Bench Hook
The bench hook is a classic shop fixture and one of the simplest jigs to make. It’s most often used for crosscutting by hand, but a few added features can take it even further.
Norman’s version includes kerfs cut into the base at multiple angles—such as 90°, 45°, and 60°—allowing you to align your saw without needing to mark the board each time. The bench hook can be flipped to accommodate different angles and includes dog holes for securing it directly to the bench.
This jig eliminates rocking while sawing and improves the quality of your cuts. Keeping multiple bench hooks around the shop—each with different angle settings—can make repetitive jobs more efficient.
4. Shooting Board
When it comes to trimming and squaring parts, few jigs are as indispensable as the shooting board. This one is built to pair with long-sole planes, guiding them smoothly along the workpiece for perfectly square or angled ends.
Norman’s version includes optional attachments for specific angles like 45°, making it useful for miters and frame components. The fence helps hold the workpiece in place while you plane, and the long shooting track ensures even contact throughout the pass.
Whether refining shoulders, tuning tenons, or dialing in tight miters, a shooting board adds control and polish to your work. It’s a low-cost jig that can dramatically improve the quality of your joinery.
The Value of Purpose-Built Jigs
Each of these jigs serves a distinct purpose, and all four can be built with scrap materials and a little time. More importantly, they each solve real problems in the workshop—saving time, improving safety, and ensuring repeatable results.
For hand tool woodworkers, efficiency doesn’t come from automation. It comes from eliminating unnecessary setup time and having tools that work with you. These jigs help you do just that.
Learn More from Norman Pirollo
Norman shares his methods and designs through his online courses, books, and videos at WoodSkills. With a focus on hand tool woodworking and fine furniture design, his teachings emphasize accuracy, technique, and intentional craftsmanship.
Whether you’re new to hand tools or refining your skills, Norman’s insights can help you get more out of your time in the shop. These jigs are just one part of a larger approach that values precision without complexity.
Support Norman by visiting his website: https://www.woodskills.com/