Jigs guide a tool or workpiece; fixtures mainly hold or locate work. The selector below matches common shop operations to a practical jig or fixture type.
Jig & Fixture Selector
Crosscut guide or stop blockA simple guide or stop improves repeatability without building a complex fixture.
Common Jigs and Fixtures
Crosscut sleds, stop blocks, drilling templates, router templates, dovetail or dowel jigs, bench stops and clamping fixtures all solve different repeatability problems.
When a Jig Is Worth Building
A jig pays off when setup time is lower than the time saved across repeated parts, or when it improves accuracy enough to reduce mistakes. For a one-off cut, a simple guide may be better.
Safety Comes First
A jig should improve control without defeating guards, safe hand placement or manufacturer instructions. Do not use a jig that forces your hands into the cutting path or makes the workpiece unstable.