Innovative Woodworking Tools

Laser Cutting

• Historically, the only way to cut wood has been with a blade of some kind. Lasers are now used in woodworking in several ways. In marquetry and inlay, they are used to precision-cut inlay patterns and pieces. They are used to make high-production wood burning, where only the surface of the wood is cut. Lasers are also used to cut through wood to make accurate joints, such as box joints. The use of lasers in woodworking are almost always in conjunction with computer-numeric controlled devices.

CNC Tools

• Lasers aren't the only computer-aided tools. CNC-directed tools have become popular in many types of manufacturing, with a variety of tools that used to be mechanically guided. For example, decoy makers once used replicators with rotary cutting blades to make wooden decoys. Today, the pantograph concept isn't needed as CNC wood-milling machines are guided by a computer image rather than a physical image.

Mortise and Tenon Jig

• The mortise and tenon joint is one of the oldest and most relied upon joints in woodworking. It consists of a male piece known as the tenon and a female piece known as the mortise. Traditionally, the joint has been made by hand with finishing saws and chisels. Today's professionally engineered jigs can turn a router into a custom mortise and tenon machine. The best of these jigs can make one of woodworking's more difficult joints quick and easy.

Pocket Screw Jigs

• Like the mortise and tenon jig, a pocket screw jig is a clever tool used to make wood joints. But the pocket screw joint, in woodworking terms, is a fairly new joint. It is very convenient because it doesn't use intricate dovetail, box joints or mortise and tenons; it just uses a drill. The jig guides pilot holes through one piece of wood and into another. The screws then fasten the pieces of wood. It is a very versatile joint and eliminates the need for many other tools. A pocket screw jig could replace specialty tools used for dovetails, mortise and tenons and other joinery systems.