200 Original Shop AIDS & Jigs for Woodworkers

This was the first book of jigs that I purchased when I started woodworking. This book has a wide range if jigs for many different types of power tool, however some of these jigs are a little on the dated side. That said, I love this book and it remains a favourite of mine, having provided me with inspiration for a number of jigs to help out around my workshop. I found the pictures to be very old-fashioned (it reminded me of my Dad's Popular Mechanic books from the mid 60's), but clear, as were the diagrams and instructions.

A warning before I give my opinion on the book itself. This did come to me used, which was disappointing. It's in pretty decent shape regardless. More importantly however this is a great book, and worth the money regardless of condition. Another reviewer said something about this being a book of blueprints. Well it kind of is, but the projects are all simple enough that blueprints are all you really need. Explanations are given for all of them, and they cover a large selection of tools.

Mr. Capotosto is obviously one of the old school type tradesman, who has often been in the position of needing a tool that was not readily available, unless he made it himself. He shares this expert knowledge with any reader who decides to buy this book. His ingenuity and savvy skils are readily apparent in the design of many of his jigs. Not only do his jigs and shop aids help do the job much more efficiently, they are always designed with safety first and foremost in mind, it would appear. A great help in handling and solving the trickiest of woodworking problems.

Wow! An outstanding book for beginners! This also would be appropriate for medium-level woodworkers wanting more ideas on handy tricks and homemade jigs for unique geometries and better cut control. I bought this to leaf through for ideas when I am wondering, "How am I going to make THAT cut with the tools I have?" Included are ideas for about every occasion--and with the simplest of power tools. Multiple photos on practically every page demonstrate work holding and tool operation positions. The power tools in the photos look obviously dated, but that doesn't matter--or perhaps makes it all the better--because the jigs, aids, and techniques are appropriate for those of us who don't have Norm Abram's workshop and need to figure out how to do more with less--and to do it more safely. Almost all the jigs and fixtures are homemade and typically involve little more than scrap wood, carriage bolts, and C-clamps. In addition to strictly woodworking techniques, this book includes a section on jigs and fixtures for metal bending and tube bending, sections on working with alternative materials such as ceramic tile, stained glass, and plastic laminate, and assembly techniques. I can't understand the user comment about this being simply a book of blueprints. Some of the more complex jigs and fixtures do include prints, and there is a section of projects, many of which include simple prints, but even in the project section, the prints are far outnumbered by photos of steps in the processing and techniques for obtaining the cuts or other features desired. Projects seem to be chosen more for their demonstration of techniques than on the usability of the pieces themselves. One does not have to make the more complex jigs to benefit from seeing the concept. Many of these jigs have commercially-available counterparts--they just cost more! For a better idea of content, I have added a detailed contents and topics list to the "Product Wiki."

The number of jigs provided in this book has proven to be quite useful in my studio. On the odd chance that a jig is not provided to meet your need, you will find the necessary tools in this book to design your own.