If you only have a jigsaw in your workshop and want to make clean, accurate straight cuts or 90-degree crosscuts, this simple jigsaw guide and crosscut jig will make a big difference.
It’s a beginner-friendly woodworking jig made entirely from plywood — and the best part? You only need a jigsaw to build it. I’ve used this jig for countless builds, and I’m still surprised how useful it’s been. It doesn’t cost much to make and is perfect if you’re building your workshop on a budget.
The jigsaw is usually seen as a tool for cutting curves and complex shapes, which is where it really shines. But you can absolutely use it for straight cuts, too — you just need a solid guide to help. The most effective way is to use a jigsaw straight-edge guide like the one in this project.
RELATED:
How to Make a Jigsaw Guide and Crosscut Jig Video
If you prefer to see it in action, I’ve got you covered. Watch the step-by-step video below to see exactly how I built the jig — from cutting the base to attaching the guides and making clean crosscuts.
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Table of Contents
*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! Always be cautious when using any power tool.
What you'll need to build the Jigsaw Guide
Jigsaw base:
- Birch Plywood – (300 x 400 x 12 mm)
- 2x Aluminum L Angle – (400 x 11 x 14 mm; 300 x 11 x 14 mm)
Other:
- M4 Bolts (Countersunk) – 15 mm, M4 Nuts Washers
- Handle or a Piece of scrap wood (200 x 28 x 18 mm)
- Double-Sided (Carpet) Tape – https://amzn.to/3tPMGpM
- Sandpaper Sheets – https://amzn.to/41OMx2p
- Machinist Square – https://amzn.to/48fT6xw
- Speed Square – https://amzn.to/3RO67Hy
- Wood Glue – https://amzn.to/48ltKhJ
- Hardware Assortment Kit – https://amzn.to/41PodgQ
- Painters Tape – https://amzn.to/3SpPylR
Tools:
- Jigsaw – https://amzn.to/3S85cDr
- Hand Drill – https://amzn.to/3HqLEnH
- Angle Grinder – https://amzn.to/48K2klD
- Quick Clamps – https://amzn.to/48jGxkZ
- Spring Clamps – https://amzn.to/41Nuh9D
- Jigsaw Blades – https://amzn.to/4aXeF83
- Jigsaw Blades (Extra Clean Cuts) – https://amzn.to/3TcPuWV
- DIY Marking Gauge
📎 Want to see all the tools I use in my workshop?
👉 Check the full list here
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Let's Start
This jig is easy to make and a great woodworking project if you’re just getting started. You’ll only need a jigsaw and some basic materials to build it.
The jig combines two functions:
- A jigsaw straight edge guide for long, straight cuts
- A jigsaw crosscut jig for 90-degree cuts on smaller pieces
I’ve built this jig from 12 mm birch plywood and a couple of aluminum L-angles, and I use it all the time in my workshop. You’ll find it especially helpful for working with plywood sheets, short boards, and wooden strips.
Let’s walk through it step by step.
How to make a Jigsaw Guide and Crosscut Jig
Step 1: Cut the Jigsaw Base
Start by cutting the base of your jig from 12 mm birch plywood, measuring 400 × 300 mm.
Use a straight edge, level, or long scrap board to guide your jigsaw if you don’t already have a jig. Getting a clean, accurate rectangle now will make all the next steps much easier — especially when attaching the aluminum guide rails.
If your jigsaw is the only power tool available, don’t worry. Just go slow, mark your cut line clearly, and keep steady pressure while following your guide.
📌 Tip: Make sure at least one long side is perfectly straight — this will be your reference edge later when attaching the straight-edge guide.
⚠️ Avoiding skewed cuts with a jigsaw:
- Use a fine-tooth, straight-cut jigsaw blade
- Let the blade do the work — don’t force it
- Apply even pressure and avoid pushing against the guide too hard
- The thicker the material, the more likely it is to skew — go slow
👉 Check out these tips on how to cut straight with ta jigsaw.
Step 2: Attach the Straight Edge Guide
This jig uses two aluminum L-angles — one as the guide rail for straight cuts, the other as a fence for crosscuts.
1. Cut two L-angles to size:
- Long rail (guide): 400 mm — matches the long side of the plywood base
- Short rail (crosscut fence): just under 300 mm — will be cut flush after mounting
2. Placement:
- The guide rail goes on top of the base.
- The crosscut rail goes on the bottom to act as a stop.
3. Mark the guide position:
- Measure from the edge of your jigsaw shoe to the center of the blade. For example, mine measured slightly over 40 mm.
- Use this distance to offset the guide rail from the plywood’s straight edge.
4. Attach the guide:
- Use double-sided tape to temporarily fix the rail in place.
- Drill countersunk holes through the angle and plywood.
- Secure with M4 bolts and nuts underneath.
5. Trim the base:
- Once the guide is secured, cut off the excess plywood with the jigsaw. This creates a clean, flush edge that lines up perfectly with your blade.
📌 Tip: Take your time measuring the offset for the guide. This directly affects the accuracy of every cut.
Step 3: Attach the Crosscut Fence
Now it’s time to add the crosscut fence, which allows you to make accurate 90° cuts with your jigsaw.
1. Mark the fence location:
- Flip the base over (bottom side facing up).
- If your board is perfectly square, use a ruler marking gauge to draw a line across the base.
- If it’s not perfectly square, use a long speed square or framing square to mark a true 90° line from the guide edge.
2. Double-check the angle:
- Ensure the fence is exactly perpendicular to the guide rail. Even small misalignments will throw off your crosscuts.
3. Attach the fence:
- Use double-sided tape to hold the angle in place.
- Drill holes through the angle and base, then secure it with M4 bolts and nuts like in the previous step.
📌 Tip: Take your time aligning this part. The accuracy of your 90° cuts fully depends on how square this connection is.
Step 4: Cut the Shape of the Jigsaw Guide
Once the guide rail and crosscut fence are installed, it’s time to cut out the final shape of the jig.
1. Mark your design
- Start by sketching the overall shape of the jig on the plywood base.
- Mark the location for the handle, but don’t attach it yet — you’ll cut the shape first.
2. Trim the excess wood
- Use your jigsaw to cut away the unnecessary material. This will:
- Reduce weight
- Improve maneuverability
- Allow better visibility of the cut line
3. Cut out the center opening
- Remove the inner section of the base. This cutout gives you better grip on small pieces during crosscuts and reduces sawdust buildup.
4. Attach the handle
- After cutting the shape, secure the handle (I used a piece of spruce wood) using glue and screws.
- Optionally, round the edges and sand the surface for a more comfortable grip.
📌 Tip: For small 90° cuts, you can also use a speed square in combination with this jig.
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Using a Jigsaw Guide and Crosscut Jig
There are two main ways to use this jig, depending on the cut you’re trying to make:
1. Straight Cuts Along a Marked Line
- Use the long guiding rail for making clean, straight cuts on larger boards.
- Simply draw your cut line, align the jig’s guide rail to it, and clamp the jig in place.
- You can either hold the handle firmly or use clamps for better stability.
- This method is great for breaking down sheet goods or prepping boards for joinery.
2. Accurate 90-Degree Crosscuts
- The jig’s crosscut fence is fixed at a perfect right angle to the guiding rail, which helps ensure square cuts.
- It works well for both short and long boards.
- For short pieces, you can hold them down in the center opening of the jig while cutting — it gives you more control and keeps your hands safely away from the blade.
⚠️ Accuracy Tip: For the jig to deliver perfect 90-degree results, the aluminum L angles must be mounted perfectly perpendicular to each other. It’s worth taking the time to double-check your measurements here — the accuracy of the guide depends on it.
How to Avoid Tear Out With a Jigsaw
Tear-out — the splintering that happens along the cut edges — is a common frustration when using a jigsaw. It’s especially noticeable on plywood and veneered boards. But with a few simple tricks, you can get much cleaner results:
Tips for Cleaner Jigsaw Cuts:
- Use a sharp, fine-toothed blade: Higher TPI (teeth per inch) blades reduce splintering and leave smoother edges.
- Apply masking or painter’s tape along the cut line: This helps hold wood fibers in place and minimizes chipping.
- Cut with the finished side facing down: Most jigsaws cut on the upstroke, so the underside of your workpiece will be cleaner.
- Use a backing board underneath: A sacrificial scrap piece helps support the bottom fibers and prevents breakout.
💡 Looking for the best blades for clean jigsaw cuts?
👉 Check out my top picks here: Best Jigsaw Blades for Plywood for Clean Cuts
10 TPI reverse-pitch tooth pattern for extra clean top surfaces when cutting in hard and soft wood, plywood.
My Take
If a jigsaw is the only power saw in your workshop, building a simple guide like this one can really change how you work — it definitely helped me. I’ve used this jig for dozens of small projects where clean, straight, or 90-degree cuts were needed but I didn’t want to reach for a larger tool.
This guide is especially helpful for:
- Short straight cuts
- Precise crosscuts up to 400 mm
- Smaller workpieces or tight spaces
Despite being a compact jig, it’s surprisingly versatile and very easy to store — even in a small workshop. You can mount it on a wall, hang it on a French cleat, or just keep it under your workbench.
🔧 One thing to remember: the blade you use really matters. For crosscuts, I recommend a slightly wider jigsaw blade with more stability — it helps maintain straight lines and avoid deflection. There’s a huge range of jigsaw blades available, so pick the right one for your cut and material.
If you often work with longer boards, I suggest pairing this jig with a Jigsaw Guide for Long Straight Cuts or building a Jigsaw Cutting Station for added stability and precision.
👉 Ready to build more? Check out these top woodworking jigs for your workshop.
FAQ: Jigsaw Guide and Crosscut Jig
Can you make straight cuts with a jigsaw?
Yes, but it’s tricky without a guide. A jigsaw naturally wants to follow the grain or curve, so using a straight-edge guide or jig is the best way to get clean, accurate straight cuts.
What is the best blade for straight cuts with a jigsaw?
Use a wide, stiff blade with a high TPI (teeth per inch)—typically labeled as “clean cut” or “precision cut.” These blades reduce deflection and tear-out.
Can I make 90-degree crosscuts with a jigsaw?
Yes, with the right setup. A crosscut jig like this one ensures your cuts are square. Just make sure your jig’s guide and fence are perfectly perpendicular.
Why are my jigsaw cuts not straight?
This is often caused by the wrong blade type, cutting too fast, or not supporting the material properly. A good guide, slow feed rate, and the right blade help eliminate skewed or beveled cuts.
How thick of wood can I cut with a jigsaw guide?
It depends on the blade, but for jigs like this, cutting boards up to 18–20 mm (¾”) thick works well. Thicker boards may deflect the blade more.
