Whether you are a beginner or a paracord crafter expert a paracord jig is an essential tool for any paracord weaving and braiding. With its help, you will be able to easily make bracelets, dog collars and leashes, belts, lanyards, and more.
One of the key advantages of a paracord jig is that it holds a paracord in position while braiding or weaving, making it easy for the user to concentrate on the project. You can easily make your own DIY paracord jig at home, there is no reason to buy it at the store. There are many types of paracord jigs you can make, ranging from simple ones to more complex ones.
In this article, we will be making an adjustable paracord jig that can be used to make bracelets, dog collars, key chains, lanyards, and other decorative items.
A paracord jig is a great device for those who enjoy crafting with paracord, as it allows for more precise and consistent braiding or weaving.
This paracord jig is easily adjustable and can accommodate any size of bracelets or dog leashes from less than 5″ (12cm) to over 20″ (50cm). It can be clamped down to a table or workbench to prevent the jig from tipping over or moving around the table while weaving. The height of the jig (5″ – 9,5cm) is fully sufficient for comfortable work with the hands.
To make the paracord jig I chose Baltic birch plywood, MDF, and aluminum as a go-to materials. All the material is readily available.
Read on to find out how to build an adjustable paracord jig and how to set it up.
DIY Paracord Jig Video
If you want to see how it is done, watch the video below for a step-by-step guide on how to make a paracord jig for bracelets and dog collars.
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Table of Contents
- DIY Paracord Jig Video
- The Material you will need
- General Questions
- How difficult is it to make a paracord Jig?
- What to consider when making a paracord Jig?
- How to Make a DIY Paracord Jig
- Step 1: Build the Paracord Jig Base
- Step 2: Make the Paracord Jig Stands
- Step 3: Attach the Stands to the Paracord Jig Base
- Possible Improvements to the Paracord Jig
- How to Set up and Use a Paracord Jig
- Woodworking Jigs used
*Safety is your responsibility. Make sure you know what you’re doing and take all necessary safety precautions while working with power tools. Safety comes first!
What you'll need to make a Paracord Jig for Bracelets and Dog Collars
Paracord Jig Base:
Plywood – 600 mm x 100 mm x 12 mm
MDF – 600 mm x 100 mm x 5 mm
MDF 2x – 600 mm x 14 mm x 4 mm
Paracord Jig – adjustable stands:
Plywood – 70 mm x 75 mm x 12 mm – https://amzn.to/3TPULp2
Plywood 4x – 40 mm x 75 mm x 12 mm
Plywood – 40 mm x 75 mm x 12 mm
Plywood – 70 mm x 23 mm x 6 mm
Plywood – 70 mm x 37 mm x 6 mm
MDF – 70 mm x 75 mm x 5 mm
MDF – 70 mm x 27 mm x 4 mm
MDF – 70 mm x 40 mm x 40 mm
Aluminum bar (slider) – 70 mm x 12 mm x 4 mm
Tools:
Table Saw / Proxxon Mini Table Saw – https://amzn.to/47mWiGf
Trim Router – https://amzn.to/3HbQcOg
Corded Hand Drill (drill stand) – https://amzn.to/3NSA3Bo
Hand Drill – https://amzn.to/3HqLEnH
Machinist Square / Speed Square
Spring Clamps – https://amzn.to/41Nuh9D
One Hand Clamps – https://amzn.to/48jGxkZ
Other:
Wood Glue – https://amzn.to/48ltKhJ
Epoxy – https://amzn.to/3tJ5R4L
Double-Sided Woodworking Tape – https://amzn.to/3tPMGpM
Self-Adhesive Scale Ruler – https://amzn.to/3TTjGZb
Drill Bits – https://amzn.to/4aI47t3
Connection Brackets (for an M6 bolt)
M6 Bolts, Washers, Wing-nuts – https://amzn.to/41PodgQ
T-track bolts – https://amzn.to/3NT6wrh
Check all the Tools I Use
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What is a Paracord Jig?
A paracord jig is a handy tool used in crafting and working with paracord, allowing you to create intricate and consistent knots, weaves, and designs.
This handy tool is designed to hold the paracord firmly in place, making it easier to create a wide range of paracord items, such as bracelets, keychains, lanyards, belts, and dog collars.
With a paracord jig, you can achieve professional-looking designs and patterns, and it’s especially useful for those who enjoy paracord crafting as a hobby or want to create personalized and practical accessories.
How difficult is it to make a paracord Jig?
A paracord jig is a device that is used to hold and secure a paracord in position while braiding or weaving. It can be adjusted to various lengths, which makes it a unique helper when making bracelets, dog collars, keychains, and others. There is a whole range of paracord jigs, from simple to more complex with the possibility of full customization for the given project.
- Making a simple paracord jig is quite easy and any beginner can do it. A basic paracord jig can be made using a piece of straight wood and a few fittings. The material is easily available and you will be able to build it in a few minutes.
- An advanced paracord jig requires some hands-on skill and will take a few hours to make. Nevertheless, such paracord jig offers more setting options, enabling the user to create more complex braided or woven designs.
What to consider when making a paracord Jig?
When building a paracord jig, there are a few important things to consider:
- Range of use: the range of use determines what types of projects you will be able to do. A multi-purpose paracord jig will allow you to make bracelets, dog collars, leashes, keychains, lanyards, and more.
- Adjustability: the paracord jig should be adjustable to support different lengths of paracord as needed for different projects.
- Stability: the jig should be stable and secure when in use. It should be possible to attach it to the table with clamps to eliminate any wobble and prevent any movement on the table.
- Ease of use: the jig should be easy to set up, use and adjust as necessary.
Let's start building!
The paracord jig consists of 2 main parts – the base and the adjustable buckle stands.
The entire build is made of Baltic birch plywood, MDF, and Aluminum bars. The overall dimensions of the jig are 60 x 10 x 9,5cm, thanks to which it can accommodate any size bracelets or dog leashes from less than 5″ (12cm) to over 20″ (50cm).
The adjustable stands are replaceable, as are the clips and buckles, which can easily be changed as needed.
Paracord Jig properties:
- Material: Baltic birch plywood, MDF, Aluminum bar
- Total dimensions: 60 x 10 x 9,5cm
- Easy to change clips and buckles
- Can be used to make bracelets, dog leashes, lanyards, key chains, and more
- Long Bracelets and Dog Leashes – from less than 5″ (12cm) to over 20″ (50cm)
This is an advanced paracord jig that offers additional features. Is not a simple beginner project and some woodworking skills are necessary. However, many areas can be made differently and work can be simplified.
How to Make a DIY Paracord Jig
Step 1: Build the Paracord Jig Base
Cut the base pieces to size (MDF and Plywood). There are a few ways how to make the cuts. You can use a circular saw in combination with a straight-edge guide, or a table saw with a small crosscut sled. If you don’t have any of these tools at hand you can use a jigsaw.
Glue the plywood and MDF piece together.
1. Draw the design on the base piece
Draw the design on the base piece. Mark the position for the self-adhesive measuring tape, the guide rail, and the t-track. I am leaving extra space (around 1,5cm) on each side of the base piece. It adds more stability to the paracord jig and can be used for clamping as well.
2. Cut the t-track
Cut the t-track and the slots for the self-adhesive measuring tape and the guiding rail. I am using a router for all the cuts. The grooves are clean and precise. To make the cuts I used a router dado jig. If you don’t have one you can use a simple straight-edge guide. (Of course, you can always buy a shop track)
TIP: There are a few different ways how to make t-tracks. Check out this article if you want to know more about each option: 3 Ways How to Make DIY T-tracks & T-Slots
Sand the dados to get rid of splinters and smooth the surface for a better slide.
Cut the t-track MDF strips and glue them or screw them into the track. If you use glue, be careful not to get it in the central track. It would be quite difficult to get rid of the glue access afterward.
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Step 2: Make the Paracord Jig Stands
1. Make the adjustable stands
Cut the base piece to size and drill in a 6mm hole. We will use this hole to attach the stands to the jig base.
Glue the other pieces on top of each other and wait until the glue has fully hardened. The top wood pieces of the stand form a short t-track.
TIP: Use corner clamps to align the stand pieces and to make sure they are perpendicular to the base.
2. Attach an aluminum slider
Cut an aluminum flat bar (7cm x 1,2cm x 0,4cm) and round the corners and edges. Make sure the bar slides easily in the base track.
Insert 2 washers into the track, place the aluminum bar on top of them, apply epoxy, and glue it to the paracord jig stand. Make sure the stand is square to the base.
NOTE: I didn’t have an aluminum bar of the right height so I glued 2 flat bars together.
3. Tape the self-adhesive measuring tape
Mark the start of the measuring tape, cut it to size, and tape it into the track. The starting position is at the foot of the stand.
Step 3: Attach the Stands to the Paracord Jig Base
The stands are attached to the base with t-track bolts and wing nuts. This way you can easily adjust and set the position of the stands.
Insert the track bolts into the t-track, place the stands on top of them, and fix the stands in position with washers and wing nuts.
To mount the buckles on the paracord jig use the t-tracks on top of the stands. I am using slightly bent connection brackets. You can easily adjust them or replace them as necessary.
Below is a picture of the finished adjustable paracord jig.
Possible Improvements to the Paracord Jig:
- Buckle wheel – make a “buckle wheel” with multiple different buckle sizes that can be attached to the top of the stands. You won’t have to change the buckles, but just choose the one you need.
- Paracord needle storage – drill multiple holes in the side of the stand to store the paracord needles. There is space for a variety of paracord needles.
How to Set up and Use a Paracord Jig
The steps provided below describe how to set up and use a DIY paracord jig. For a better understanding of how to build it, how to set it up, and how to work with it, refer to the included video.
How to use a paracord jig:
- Secure the paracord jig to a stable surface with clamps.
- Loosen the wing nut and adjust the paracord jig to the desired length. Use the attached ruler for accurate settings.
- Select and attach the desired clip with a wing nut on top of the adjustable slider
- Attach the anchor buckles. Place the female buckle on one end of the jig and the male part on the other.
- Use the guide rails on top of the adjustable slider to set the right paracord tension.
- Start knotting the paracord according to your pattern.
- Adjust the tension as necessary while knotting
- Loosen the wing nuts once finished and remove the paracord from the jig
TIP: Instead of clamps that hold the paracord jig in the position you can use rubber feet to prevent the jig from slipping around.
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How to Build a Paracord Jig
Woodworking Jigs used for the project:
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