Faq page for the MASCUT 1.0

This is a conversation you might have heard from
George since 2001 as his containers are all full and his machine is coming to a halt:

"Economic surplus has, and may always depend upon
producing things in volume in order to compete. New ideas for furniture for example proliferate, yet few know how to get to the next level where the parts are produced. Ok, the saw is loud and our hearing is still faint, so move up close: We need to get beyond mere hand made thinking. Jigs are the platform for productivity. Our jigs are "hand made" in our shops to provide "mass made" volume capabilities. No, this isn't about over mechanization, or cheap mass production principles. It's about people wanting to try their own individual skills at making things in higher volume, another level of productivity applied to their own ideas. The Mascut can turn a table saw, normally thought to be a tool for making things by hand, into a high volume machining center using basic tools and techniques. The Minnie Cut is a perfect "Primer" in demonstrating the precision abilities of a well-gauged device. It is like "Gauging 101." Yep, you have an eye for it now. We need to have an eye for even the strangest productive stuff. For many, it's the wider picture, the "unseen road" of using jigs that many have found here since 2001.

The MINNIE CUT is a Box Joint package that
really is like a table saw learning center.

We now have an E-book/manual explaining how to make box joints on a table saw.
Also, the Minnie Cut box joint jig has a manual that explains box joints. We have found
that many people who have tried to make box joints can't do it right on the first try,
or second, and so they get frustrated, waste time and expensive wood.
The box joint manuals make the whole technique easier,
especially where you have the widths calculated and learn what extra parts,
what certain sequence and details all have to be closely considered.
The manuals, either with or without the jig explain to woodworkers how to
do things right before they waste too much time. Then woodworkers can
make real progress, even learn more history, learn gauging, tips and the value
of knowing what jigs and gauges really can do.

"Just look at this device as a copy machine. Let's say you build a 12 drawer
jewelry chest. Then 6 months later you want to make another one.
If you have the plans, they are only going to tell you the lengths and
widths of everything. Then you have to measure every single piece.
That is what is time consuming." What you need is a production type jig.
Read more.....

When the concept for this device was first discovered it was the
typical   "AH-HA .... this-is-awesome" reaction. Everyone expects
something so productive to be very complicated. They expect a device
crammed and bloated with parts, knobs, and strange attachments.
Mostly, the truth is perceived as impossible, so most people will
expect to see something very sophisticated looking.   It's not.
With the included information, it is easy to learn how to make
things in volume, with precision, and accuracy. You can
attend a world expo, but you may not acquire techniques this
jig can teach you.

The new E-Book "About Ingenious machines and methods"
is now included.

2. What is the accuracy of the MASCUT 1.0?

It is capable of accuracy as close
as .002-003 depending on the saw.

3. Why don't you show a full image of the jig
with all of the gauges, and tell how it works?

For one thing, to show all of the gauges and the distinct cuts would
not be honorable to the current owners of this device.  The current
owners saw a great offer, had no doubts about it's value, and
ordered their own . If you can't afford the full price now, we
have created an option for you. Please read about the video right Here


Remember...AT&T, who at one time thought that
E-mail and the Internet would not benefit them.  We
would not have self-adhesive stamps if someone
didn't say, "let's find a better way."

4. Does it have any attachments?
No, but it has easy to use gauges that come in
a laser engraved oak box.   It does come with many
different bonus accessories.

5. Are there any other products you would compare it to?

The MASCUT 1.0, with it's instructions, can't be compared to any
known woodworking jig. It is not a box joint jig, such as
our $79 MINNIE CUT. The MASCUT1.0 has two fences and the
duplication fence has no known comparison. If you are a skilled
woodworker, but know little about duplication, look no further.

It is approximately 28 inches long.
We will make a custom length if preferred. Also, it's
location can be adjusted to accommodate longer jobs.

#7. What does it contain?
1. Video
2. Oak Gauge Box
3. E-book (About Ingenious Machines and Methods.)
4. Written instructions with numerous graphic
illustrations.
5. Gauges
6. Easy Record tables
7. Two piece fence

8. Do you have support for getting up and running?

We know that there are some instances where clarity can never substitute
for demonstration, so we made a great video. With the video, and
simple, graphic instructions, you will easily catch on to it's simplicity.
The MASCUT 1.0 can teach you how to duplicate faster than trying to
assemble some lawn furniture. If you can use mics or calipers,
you can learn to learn this device in minutes.
We also offer support for owners. Phone, fax, and e-mail.

9. What if I don't want to give my credit card over the Internet?

Just contact us with your Name, and Total amount.
You will like the fact that we do not collect your personal credit card
number. Propay will take care of that on their secure website. We also
take PAYPAL.....see the order form.

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10. Do you sell the devices online only?

Yes. But we also advertise through local Lumber yards.

11. Does the MASCUT 1.0 have a video?

YES. It has a DVD video that is about 48 Minutes long. It demonstrates
how the jig can precisely and accurately duplicate cuts.

Woodjig.com is in Cleveland, Ohio. Woodjig.com is the creation of
XIP Xtra Products. Our mailing address is P.O Box 44280 Cleveland,
Ohio 44144-0280. For [ORDERS]

Our E-mail address is

For emergencies....Our shop phone is 216-661-4309 (East Standard Time)
For orders, go here....ORDERS
This is the Toolmaker/Jigmaker .....George, right Here.

13. What are some things you can make...

Just look at this as a copy machine. Let's say you build a 12 drawer
jewelry chest. Then 6 months later you want to make another one.
If you have the plans, they are only going to tell you the lengths and
widths of everything. Then you have to measure every single piece.
That is what is time consuming. With a solid gauge device, you use it's
unique gauges, so measuring is almost eliminated. You can even cut
many of the wood parts without searching for a scale or calipers!
You can make Chests, Presentation boxes, letter boxes, tool boxes,
cigar boxes, collection boxes, clocks, handles, crates, wine boxes, games,
toys, wood bases, frames, wood buckets, etc.   Also, you can make many
of the component parts of a wood project you may have in mind. For
example, lets say you want to build chairs, toy cars, or even model boats.
These projects would require many component parts. With the MASCUT 1.0
you can readily cut many of the component parts identical, and the parts
would be interchangeable. After seeing millions of parts made in
production shops, this idea is all of the complicated
processes funneled into one simple woodworking device.

It can work well with your miter gauge, but it works best with a
homemade sliding cross-cut box. Sometimes called a sled, or cut-off box.

No. A good carbide blade is recommended, as is a dado
blade. A dado blade is primarily needed for box joints.

Everyone probably thinks that in order for something to be effective, it has
to be very complicated.....No- this is easy, especially once you see the
information included.

17. Some of this sounds too good to be true.   Will I be employing
people with my new production shop?   The jig can be used
in a variety of ways. A full-time woodworking business is obviously
a huge responsibility. It is a process and not an over-night event. But,
we are not going to dismiss this possibility, especially for those with
the means , and the resources. Some will turn their Mom and Pop
woodshop into "Oakline INC." for example.   Others will only need a
duplication jig to compliment their current skills like crafting or toy
making etc.

18. Is the jig available for production shops? As you might
have guessed by now, this is not only a general purpose tool. If you
have a production shop, please inquire about a discount on two or
more custom packages.

Who were the first men in America, Europe, and Mid-western England, to realize the power of machines,
and where were they educated. Read details of their history, friends, and philosophy. How did they find out about
machines two hundred and three hundred years ago? Which machines did they use and invent?
Who were the scientists that they studied? Where was the first world expo?
How was the knowledge spread and why?

Now included... read more HERE

Where is this economy going?

From George at Woodjig.com

I probably should have written this years ago to justify what Woodjig.com is all about, but I have been quite busy. Recently as most of you know, the world financial markets have plunged. Investments and various funds are down. Had I said it before, people would have said that this type of announcement was a scare tactic, inappropriate for woodworking. Woodjig.com combines woodworking with machinist techniques though. That is a substantial part of technology, industry, and the foundation of an economy. Anyhow, the worst is hopefully over. Some big battles still remain, but for the most part some people need to consider being a little more in control of their industrial destiny. Many people knew that financial market trouble would eventually affect machine builders, and tool suppliers, and it has. Local businesses that have traditionally supplied tools conveniently and efficiently are continuing to disappear.

It's harder to build and to deliver when suppliers can't profit too. Save the suppliers.

The real issue is that certain products and supplies we depend upon often feel the crunch too. The solution? Buy tools, machines and continue to be innovative. No, we can't become overly dramatic or discourage people, but the truth is, one day, our choice of supplies especially those locally could become scarce. No, it is far from that now. We can still find that rare, but costly box of left hand screw, or that special wrench for now, but if we don't promote basic mechanical techniques like jig making for example, or basic automation techniques, the manufacturing sector might be at risk and it will trickle down into the machine builders and the "rare, or diminishing" tool supply stores. That is what this website has always been about. Invest in machines and in using them in the most automated, most innovated ways. We become familiar with that by using woodworking jigs and practicing basic automation.

Again, if you are following the news events lately, or the bickering and jousting, or the political sparing, try to give it a rest. Oh, an occasional peak at the news might be OK, but be warned, some of it can knock us out of kilter. Stay the course, buy some machines, stock up on supplies, get a book, research a new tool, an upgrade, or learn a new technique, but don't despair. The" Knowledge Capital" that Americans hold is a real investment, and it can't be sold short like a stock can. Knowledge can also be taxed if we take our mind off of our real power of acquiring it.

In other words, if we don't become enamored by all of the economic affairs, we can
remain productive, expand our "hands on" technical knowledge. The storm will seem more like a strong wind, and when the smoke settles, things around the shop will probably have improved. So spending money on tools, and telling others who have some money to spend is now in fashion. For centuries, technology has been a smart investment. Once used effectively, especially in an automated process, we can then be more efficient, or create a product, then even a surplus, and then those who are lucky, or astute in business will produce enough to make a profit. For many, jig making has been the secret to automating the small operation.

What are jigs and fixtures?

If you take a picture or a plan or idea for something, you can pretty well duplicate that single plan for example. But, without jigs, the duplication entails hand finishing, hand to eye adjusting and then certain allowable waste. But when you first design a simple, basic jig and you hand finish and use a precision instrument to adjust the jig, you have an automatic device that will almost forever reproduce the parts necessary to make things in volume. That is what many still don�t apply to their thousands of possible plans and ideas and innovations, especially the ones in their head. In other words, as far as woodworking is concerned, when we concentrate on building the jig first, the secret is, even an inexperienced person can follow up, even to make a surplus of almost any plan or any practical item that we can imagine. Meanwhile, the innovator can implement this system to begin to design the jigs and tools for the next project. So one operation has been automated and producing effectively without a very high degree of skill. That is what is meant by basic automation.

See "Jigs and Gauges for Beginners."

_______________

More from George at Woodjig

Let me mention a brief view of what I saw,
prompting me to build jigs for woodworkers. In the seventies there was a considerable amount of manufacturing activity all across the country. Stamping and molding companies, back in the seventies were challenged by gas shortages and a wave of imports. Huge production runs and stocked warehouses, filled with inventories were becoming less common and for some, very expensive. Outsourcing was not always the answer. Manufacturers had to find a faster way to set up production runs in factories, and produce better quality. Also, they had to make parts by using better controls, and closer standards (within a certain parameter) to avoid the extra costs of sorting parts that drifted outside the parameters.

Parts orders were becoming smaller and more often. They also required higher quality. Standardized setups reduced much of the lead time and grief at the beginning of production runs. Quicker, more controlled setups for many production operations were a real necessity because foreign shops used foolproof, QDC procedures When jigs, and dies are built properly for example, time needs to be allowed after the trial runs for (permanence) to mark everything to ensure constancy, and prevent being altered by mistake.

With QDC, (Quick Die Change) there was little guessing or measuring when placing production dies and fixtures into a machine, as opposed to wondering where each tool was positioned during the last manufacturing run. Higher (installation) precision, with less guessing, less re-measuring and positive mold and die line-ups going into a production run were discovered to be huge time savers. The more permanent, and the more positive the installation process was, the less wasted time and less were the time consuming adjustments. Then, the more tools that were built or modified for consistent "re-installation assurance, or permanence" the less chance there was for mistakes and wasted time between tool changes. When a shop accumulates hundred (or more) jigs, or production molds or dies, this "assurance" method would result in less time spent guessing at setup procedures, and more time improving other tools. That is what a jig or auxiliary device accomplishes. It is sort of "set it and forget it."

"Take care of the little things...."

Faster, predictable, precision setups were becoming crucial by the 1980's. The first parts could pass inspection much faster because the tools and die set-ups were "goof-proofed" having less variations in the set ups. The companies who had the quickest production changeovers "QDC" soon had an advantage over those who used hand measuring and guesswork. This process improvement reduced variation and standardized the process of changing the tooling. Not all companies could afford these new changes, but the ones who could, often benefited through an immense savings in die set-up costs. After seeing the way production plants have made major reductions in set up time with molds and dies, I came up with woodworking jigs with many of the same traits. Even for the woodworker, standardizing certain processes reduced variation, allowing for more and more capabilities and a drastic reduction in measurements for every cut. In other words jigs goof-proof the operation, allowing for the growth in accuracy and productivity. Jigs and gauges are what give the small woodshop or cabinet shop an option; even doing "volume" work...like going from crayons to creative.

See "Jigs and Gauges for Beginners."

Box Joints?
The Minnie Cut is an ideal "Primer" in demonstrating the
precision abilities of a well-gauged device.

You can attend a world expo,
but you may not acquire techniques
the MASCUT can deliver.

"I really understand what you
mean when you talk about mass producing as opposed to specialized
projects. I work for ###### and  I have also managed ##### in the
past. Both of the experiences have given me an understanding of
streamlining work processes to maximize production. I had not thought
of applying this to my woodworking because it was always just a hobby.
However, woodworking costs way too much to be just a hobby. Since
reading your web site, I have undertaken a new look at my shop and
started working on turning it into a small side business.   I'll keep you
posted.   By the way, your emails have been a great resource, keep it up."
   Joe O......Hardwood Directory subscriber.

NEW! Quiz ...Test your knowledge
of our Industrial Past....

I rec'd my Minnie Cut jig today and just wanted to respond to you with the following:
Thank you for this great product. I must say I was pleasantly surprised with the thoughtful
detail that was given to everything, the packaging, the quick service, and the instructions for use.
It's refreshing to see this level of concern for the customer in today's business world. I certainly
would not hesitate to recommend this to all my woodworking friends.
Thanks Again....Don B.......Kinston, NC