Article about woodworking

What's a Jigmaker?

Tools, especially woodworking tools were mostly considered a pastime, like
doing 1,000 piece puzzles, and that's fine but....

Another woodworking plan ....using jigs, and old, but never forgotten principles.
Woodworking ideas were discovered by who?

In the manufacturing industry many shop hands spend their whole careers perfecting only a few
operations with machines. Many perform operations using the same, time honored tools, many
of them producing precision, quality parts. In other words, in manufacturing, most machine operators
do not require many of the vast planning, "pre-production" skills. (This is the principle behind the
division of labor). The ones who do the brainy work, the planning, "pre-production" skills are
the engineers and shop leaders. They are often the ones who create the original plans, the jigs, the
fixtures and the designs. These are the ones who understand, often after decades of effort, the true
productive value of gauging, locating, and innovative ability. Those who graduate to the level of fixture
makers, automation technicians, and engineer know the "real" value of machines, not the
undeveloped, basic, perceptive value.

Right now, an innovator, a creator who looks at an idle machine doesn't see an iron edifice with
switches, gears and motors, but something with vast capability. What a box joint jig can do
(with a simple but unique gauging system) is to change many of it user's from an observer of machines
to someone who finally sees it. Someone who learns how to use just simple, but accurate gages can
discover the true productive potential of a table saw. Then, not only do owners make nice box joints,
but they can go on to apply the principle to make many machines become more productive
by implementing gages.

There really is a "secret technique" to it. Knowing how
to make box joints is a genuine benefit in the shop.

For consistency, and endurance you need positive, inflexible gauging, instead of screw
adjustments. It is just as convenient to remove a gauge and replace it, like the Minnie
Cut does. To have a shop that is productive, you need to learn a few simple concepts. You
need to grasp the concepts of the pre-planning, "pre-production" skills, the insight to do
the "brainy work. First, you merely need to experience it "in action" in order to grasp it.
That's when and where productivity begins. That's where the "jig maker" the
"hands on engineer" comes into the picture. Everything else, automation, robotics, mass
production and industry then follow suit.

Just by acquiring the box joint manual alone, making box joints almost becomes
second nature. It's and Ah-HA! method, and then a table saw, along with most
machines never look the same. For many who learn this, who choose to see the potential
of this great method, machines becomes a resource, an asset. That's a woodworking
idea an engineer, a tool builder, or economist would understand.

Question:

In economics, a machine that is not in use is:
A. A machine that is broke.
B. A tool that is only used for a hobby or a pastime.
C. An idle asset.

The answer is C....Economists (and accountants) consider a machine as
working Capital. When it is not producing a surplus, or
generating products, then it is: well...... read on.

If you visit a lot of wood shops in the country, the majority of them are
created as a pastime, for an occasional furniture project, or cabinets.
Many tool owners don't realize though, that most machines were ideas,
originally designed to serve an economic purpose. The main purpose
of the machines used in an original machine shop of a watchmaker for example,
was to hold accuracy and precision, so that there was much less continual,
repetitive hand and finishing, fitting, and inspection work. The solution may
be, where we have so many machines, yet an engineer looks at them as "Idle assets"
and that an original intention has been left alone. It often takes a lifetime for
those with the machines to take hold of, or have in- depth clarity about what machines
are capable of; volume. It is volume and surplus that is the means to an end.
Everything else, quality, pastime uses, hobbies, occasional use are sentimentalities.

Since 01...Woodjig.com provides the information and devices necessary
for small woodshops to possibly grow into productive operations.
We have built our woodshop devices for many small shop owners
who have not had the experience or the means to duplicate or make
things in volume before. The methods, products, and techniques available
to woodworkers here are a giant leap in the direction of "volume
manufacturing, CNC and even job creation." The Mascut 1.0 is a
remarkable "gauge controlled " wood jig that is a genuine break
away from anything available to ambitious, forward thinking
"small industrialists." Currently, there is no other known book, school,
club or video that can reveal a similar devise or technique, which
took a whole career to learn and put into action and books.
These products are offered after one woodworking enthusiast spent many
unproductive years seeking out the obscure and elusive techniques and time
savings skills required to using his machines to their full potential.

More hobbyists need the experience to make things in volume. Think of all the things
that can be mass produced if there was more exchange and insight. Many shops are adorned with tools,
but need insight, need the connections to follow through with producing a constant arrival of
products ideas and inventions.   More.....

Awhile ago my friend and I were driving through the country and a guy was selling off all of his tools out of his barn. This was the most beautiful shop I had ever seen. He had an industrial Delta planer, cabinet table saw, production shaper, production jointer, lathe, mini lathe, and much, much more. He probably had a hundred hand planes and tons of ready hardwood in beautifully organized stalls; everything. Our jaws were hanging down at the thought of this guy setting all this up over the years just to retire and sell it all in a few hours.   We couldn't help but think of all the stuff he could have been making had he known about jigs and duplication.

He used his shop to make lots of beautiful cabinets all over his house and shop. He was very skilled at making furniture for his deck and yard. Most of his efforts were put in this incredible barn- shop that was completely sold off. What a waste of effort! To have built the perfect shop and then never known it's true potential. Starting out small, it could have been a small furniture shop or supplier, a retirement business, even craft training center for the area. "Being in manufacturing for almost 30 years, I couldn't help but think of all the stuff he could have been making had he known a little more"

" Most people don't realize that a common table saws can be transformed into an accurate and consistent duplication machine. It can be very productive, and the centerpiece of every shop."

"About the Ingenious machines and methods"
ESBN Number 82531-031003-214006-84   Windows CD or Download.

_________________________

The apparent problem is a lack of industrial know-how. Recently I finished writing a book dealing with just this problem. The book is called "Ingenious Machines and Methods". I have been building table saw jigs for woodworkers since 2001. I even wrote a history book about industry, and the whole theme for my book is: Knowledge is the fuel of technology, and effective communication is a vital tool in industry." We can have all of the best tools in the world, but without communication, we fail to see the whole picture.

Most of the book IMM investigates the history of Industry. "Ingenious Machines and Methods" is about the remarkable history of Tools, Machines, Crafts, Educational, Government and more. It is like a "Grand Tour" of Industry. If you want to know about the Old English and French products, Machines and Men in the 1500's-1700's, it's in there. One chapter of the book deals with Artist rights and Licensing. One trade show I attended in New York City awhile back was very interesting. Inside the Javits Center, which is a huge (Really Huge) Convention Center in downtown Manhattan, they held a Licensing Show. What is a licensing show? It is an obscure method of finding products, used by manufacturers. It is where manufacturers from around the world go to New York City to purchase the rights, or "adopt an idea" created by an artist, in order to manufacture coasters, food trays, books, ceramics, clothes, and hundreds of other kinds of goods. I am convinced that if industry wants to expand, and provide skilled jobs, Licensing needs to become more widely known if we are to continue to be competitive in world trade.

Sure, starting a small woodworking business is not on everyone's agenda. Obviously, it takes determination, and long hours. It seems that the whole woodworking craft starts out with a very ambitious individual who wants to only make one at a time, hand-made work. Everyone seems to adapt a Creed that continues for the entire length of their hobby that declares that everything should be made individually by hand. Automation, mass production, and making things in a methodical, or automated manner is rarely in the plans of anyone but the most industrious, mechanically inclined economic insider. The jig maker has been slowly replaced by a CNC machine, and now, his jigs are even less needed because everyone is still thinking about making things by hand.

I respect hand made. I think hand made cabinetry is a vital and respected business. As a business decision, variety needs to be considered in such a competitive world. Awhile back I advised a cabinet maker I know about jigs and doing volume work. He was a source for some of my hardwoods. I told him about how efficient it is to make things in batches. I told him to make some things in volume when his kitchen and cabinet work slowed down. The next visit to his shop, he had a whole room full of beautiful porch swings that he mass produced. This was a perfect solution for his lag time when his other jobs became slow.

One of my website visitors explained clearly to me what it is that is so vital about this subject. He said "I really understand what you mean when you talk about mass producing as opposed to specialized projects. 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." He had always thought exclusively inside the "Hand Made only" box. Now, with some more information, He now has new ideas, and can gradually build upon the new "volume, efficient, methodical method of applying his skills.

If you are interested in bumping up to a "system", or are just interested in duplicating a few dozen boxes for your CD collection, you may not need the advise of an Industrial Engineer after all. Woodjig.com provides the information and devices necessary for small woodshops, or Crafters to possibly grow into productive enterprises. We have sold our devices to many small shop owners who have not had the experience or the means to duplicate or make things in volume. They had always focused on "Hand Made", because, like the guy with the perfect shop in his barn, they never knew that duplication jigs, books and techniques were available. The bench in the Mans barn was stacked with bundles of journals and books, but all of them exhorted exclusively "Hand Made."

Will Walmart be out of business when everyone owns a small, computerized nanotech factory. Some say that these miniature factories will transform atoms from garbage into brand new products at the touch of a button...sort of like instant recycling!

Nanotechnology is probably the highest priority of the science and technology programs in the Defense Department," said Clifford Lau, the senior science adviser in the Pentagon's office of basic research.

Now yarn can be produced from nanotubes. Tiny tubes may yield fibres. Scientists have spun long, ultra strong fibres from nanotubes. Some nanotubes are hollow strands of carbon just 30 millionths of a millimetre or so wide — around 5,000 times thinner than a human hair. Some think this is the beginning of nano-manufacturing Read More

Here is what one famous scientist is saying....

"Current research in nanotechnology is laying the foundation for a breakthrough development: manufacturing systems based on extremely productive nanoscale devices. These molecular manufacturing systems can be used to build large, complex products cleanly, efficiently, and at low cost. Building with atomic precision, desktop-scale (and larger) molecular manufacturing systems can be used to produce:

1. Desktop computers with a billion processors
2. Inexpensive, efficient solar energy systems
3. Medical devices able to destroy pathogens and repair tissues
4. Materials 100 times stronger than steel
5. Superior military systems
6. More molecular manufacturing systems

See more at the website of one of the pioneer men who started it all HERE

Nanotechnology is on the horizon. Nanotechnology is soon
going to partake in performing advanced surgeries.
The Amazing Journey's was not just Sci-fi.
Boston Bus. Journal 3/04.

In order to revive manufacturing jobs, those with the desire need to
acquire the knowledge of manufacturing and duplicating parts.

~ Written by ~

With twenty years of experience in tool and die, I've invented a prolific woodworking tool. I designed a simple device that could precisely and accurately duplicate on a standard table saw. The news is, there is nothing like it sold anywhere. Many woodworkers and crafters just give up on their quest for such a tool and don’t use their full potential of manufacturing things. I use to get that sinking feeling when I saw how much effort I invested in my hobby only to find out I didn’t have a clue about producing product in volume. Crafters, novices, and even established shops order my hard to find, simple to learn invention.

Now their are options for those who can't afford one...read more.

So why learn how to duplicate, how to fabricate things on your saw? Many people resent the high costs, skill, and knowledge required to produce things, or have ideas and can’t afford to have a factory make an initial run of their idea.

Now with your table saw, you can. The knowledge and the skills to make interchangeable parts are rapidly being replaced by robots, CNC machines and lasers. The skills, and the actual meat and potatoes it takes to make accurate, interchangeable parts, are going by the wayside, leaving a smaller "reserve" of individuals with manufacturing knowledge. But you can learn it easily. If you can read a micrometer and are familiar with the basics of a table saw, you duplicate with enormous, repeatable accuracy.

Lacking duplication skills can put limits on the small shop, or skilled artisan who might have the desire, but can’t afford CNC equipment. My goal is to teach many woodworkers how to turn their saw into a machining center using the clearest, most natural technique possible. Trust me, after 25 years, I know things need to be as user friendly as humanly possible so anyone can grasp duplication. Getting these skills and techniques into the hands of many more ambitious, capable “Small Industrialists" can be very, very beneficial to those wanting to make things in volume with just a table saw.

The new manual is useful for....

Saving piles of wood.
It can easily teach even beginners how to produce things in volume.
It details the simple process necessary to manufacture things.
It demonstrates how easy accuracy, and quality can be performed by
even a novice woodworker.

Now! Build your own. This manual explains it!

Save $200-$300 Dollars.....build a more accurate
fence, learn the most efficient methods for your saw!

Read more HERE.

How to download a woodworking ebook? Why is it called
downloading? What is an E-book? Answers

Woodjig.com...
A little bit of flamboyance,
A little "Bit of Rita" and...
A whole lotta other stuff you
probably can't find anywhere else...

If we don't make goods and provide services, there will be nothing for the marketing people to sell, no money for the finance people to count, nothing for the accountants to audit, no people for the management people to manage, and no economy for the economists to think they understand. Many of you may have heard of Dr. Deming. Deming was a statistician who went to Japan after World War Two after Americans refused to listen to his ideas. He was credited with reviving the Japanese economy and initiating it’s quality program. After his time in Japan, Ford Motor Company contacted him to consult them to improve it’s operations. It worked, and Deming took the credit, after so many years of rejection. There are many websites dedicated to Dr. Deming. So: if we do not know how to make things, then there is less trade, less capital, less growth and more going out of business sales, because manufacturing jobs have not been replaced when so many others fail.

Recently, solid wood has become much more in demand than things made
out of plywood and particle board. Genuine wood items have become more
desirable to people, especially toys. Items made out of of solid wood, even
some wood kits, are usually considered more valuable than the substitutes,
that just a few years ago were considered an "improvement" over wood. The
"secret" to woodworking is to get your materials at a fair price, a good system
of fabrication, and finishing, and a means of distribution.

You want to limit your output to things you can make with the tools and
equipment available. Woodworkers who sell their products set up a "mini
assembly line," with fixtures, patterns and designated machines and jigs.
Everything is kept on records like dimensions, patterns, sketches, drawings,
suppliers etc. Although the finished items are all made by hand, there
is no need to completely finish one item before starting on the next - It is
much "smarter" to cut out ten lids or sides at once. The items are still hand
made, only a lot more efficiently.   Quality is just as good (perhaps even higher
as you perfect each step), but the price is lower because you can produce them cheaper.
In the beginning, you will probably want to try several different products - and procedures.
You need to learn which things you can make best and which
ones will sell best.   Once you have settled on a sellable line of products,
it would be best to gear your "assembly line" to those products.

Another woodworking plan
using jigs, and old, but never forgotten principles.
Woodworking ideas discovered by who?

Here are some more things to make with your table saw and our wood jig.
Crates, handles, wood bases, picture frames, toys, collection boxes, cigar boxes,
dishes, stationary holders, coat racks, CD holders, cassette holders, video holders,
filing stands, coasters, magazine holders, candy dishes, wood furniture kits, miniature
furniture kits, and many, many more.

BOOK 1	BOOK 2	BOOK 3	BOOK 4
Read News at Five~ Best jobs, going. Regular $12.95...Now $7.95 Download size is approximately 500 KB, Windows PC only. HERE	About Ingenious Machines and Methods. IMM. All major Cr/ cards ....Download takes a 2-3 min. on a regular modem line. 670KB For Win PC's Reg...$29.95.........now $19.95 Here	"The 50 Giants of Industry" Few people know how influential they were.. Download size is approximately 600-700 KB, Windows PC only. *Giants*	The Castle Builder of Kleatt" is an historical fiction E-BOOK about a builder named Sirstian who builds the.... REGULAR $19.95. Visa / MC ...Now $9.95 Go Here Bonus too!