When I first started building jigs for my workshop, a jigsaw and a cordless drill were pretty much all I had. I needed to make straight cuts, crosscuts, and even angled cuts—so I built this jigsaw cutting station to make the job easier and cleaner.
There’s honestly no saw more versatile than a jigsaw. It’s a multi-purpose tool that can handle all kinds of cuts—straight cuts, crosscuts, curves, even plunge cuts and inside corners. A jigsaw can do what a table saw can’t, while still covering everything a hand saw can.
With the right blade, you can cut through wood, plastic, metal, and even ceramic—making it perfect for a wide range of workshop projects.
I’ve already built a few jigsaw guides and crosscut jigs for my workshop—but none of them allowed for accurate angle cuts. The Jigsaw Guide and Crosscut Jig and the DIY Jigsaw Guide Rail have been incredibly useful for straight and clean cuts, but I wanted something that could do more.
So I decided to build a jigsaw cutting station—a combination of a guide rail and a small table. This setup makes it much easier to cut larger pieces of wood, make repeatable crosscuts, and get clean 45-degree angles when needed.
DIY Jigsaw Cutting Station Video
Want to see how it’s built? Watch the full video tutorial below for a detailed, step-by-step walkthrough of the entire process.
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Table of Contents
- Jigsaw Cutting Station Video
- Jigsaw Cutting Station Plans
- Materials and Tools Needed
- How to Make a Jigsaw Cutting Station
- Build a Jigsaw Guide Track
- Jigsaw Cutting Station Table
- Jigsaw Cutting Station 90-Degree Cut
- Jigsaw Cutting Station 45-Degree Cut
- How to Use a Jigsaw Cutting Station
- Jigsaw Related Questions
- My Take
- Jigs used for the project
*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 and careful when using any power tool.
Materials Needed
Here are all the parts and materials you’ll need to build your own jigsaw cutting station. Dimensions are in millimeters.
Jigsaw Guide Rail
- Birch Plywood – (750 x 110 x 12 mm)
- 2x Planed Spruce Wood for stoppers- (84 x 28 x 12 mm)
- 2x Aluminum guide rails – (750 x 15 x 12 mm)
Jigsaw Cutting Station Table
- Birch Plywood – (750 x 450 x 12 mm)
- 2x Planed Spruce wood strips – (450 x 27 x 12 mm)
- 2x Planed Spruce wood strips – (300 x 39 x 29 mm)
- 2x Planed Spruce wood strips – (120 x 39 x 29 mm)
- 1x Planed Spruce wood strips – (260 x 28 x 12 mm)
- 1x Aluminum L angle – (250 x 15 x 12 mm)
Check all the Tools I Use
Tools:
- Circular Saw – https://amzn.to/4aMD0xg
- Jigsaw – https://amzn.to/3S85cDr
- Hand Drill – https://amzn.to/3HqLEnH
- One Hand Clamps – https://amzn.to/48jGxkZ
- Spring Clamps – https://amzn.to/41Nuh9D
- F-Clamps – https://amzn.to/48ArzY1
- Large L Angle – https://amzn.to/4aGaT2D
- Tape Measure – https://amzn.to/3TN0SKM
- Center Hole Punch – https://amzn.to/48Fq7mv
- Hand Saw – https://amzn.to/48if4Qz
Machinist Square / Speed Square
Other
- Double-Sided Woodworking Tape – https://amzn.to/3tPMGpM
- Wood Glue – https://amzn.to/48ltKhJ
- Epoxy – https://amzn.to/3tJ5R4L
- Sandpaper Sheets – https://amzn.to/41OMx2p
- Forstner Bits – https://amzn.to/3Hd1aDb
- Jigsaw Blades – https://amzn.to/4aXeF83
- Jigsaw Blades (Extra Clean Cuts) – https://amzn.to/3TcPuWV
- 16x bolts ø4, 1,6 cm + washers, nuts
- 2x Wing nuts ø6, washers
- 2x Threaded rod ø6 – 8cm
- 12x Wood Screws
- ø4 Threaded insert, Wing Nut bolt 30 mm, Washer
- Hardware Assortment Kit – https://amzn.to/41PodgQ
Affiliate Disclosure:
This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through them, I may earn a small commission — at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting AllFlavor Workshop!
Let's Build It!
This cutting station combines a jigsaw guide rail with a tabletop — giving you a stable setup for straight, cross, and angle cuts.
It’s built from birch plywood, spruce wood, and aluminum rails.
The guide rail is detachable, so you can also use it on its own for quick cuts. I designed the station for my Bosch jigsaw, but make sure to adjust the dimensions to fit your tool.
👉 Not getting clean, straight cuts with your jigsaw?
One simple reason might be a dull or wrong blade — here’s how to change it properly.
How to Make a Jigsaw Cutting Station
Step 1: Build a Jigsaw Guide Track
Start with the detachable guide track — it’ll help you make clean, straight cuts.
Cut the base panel to size. I used birch plywood (750 x 110 x 12 mm), but if you go slightly wider, you can always trim the extra material at the end using a circular saw or router table.
NOTE: When cutting the base, take into account the width of:
- your jigsaw shoe
- both guide rails
- and a little clearance so the jigsaw can slide smoothly along the track
I chose 12 mm plywood for sturdiness, but even 9 mm would work if you’re aiming for a lighter track.
TIP: Pair the jigsaw base with a shoe to help it glide easier on the rail. Less effort, smoother cut.
My Bosch jigsaw’s shoe is 84 mm wide, so make sure to measure yours and adjust accordingly.
Then, cut both aluminum guide rails to size — these will be attached to either side of the jigsaw guide.
Step 2: Attach Guide Rails to the Jigsaw Guide Track
1. Attach the first guide rail
Start by attaching the first guide rail. I used double-sided carpet tape to temporarily hold it in place — strong enough to work with, but not permanent.
Once the position looks good, fix the rail more securely using M4 bolts and nuts.
2. Attach the second guide rail
Set your jigsaw on the base next to the first rail. With the jigsaw in position, carefully place the second rail on the other side of the shoe, making sure it’s snug but not too tight.
Mark the second rail’s location, remove the jigsaw, and stick the rail down with double-sided tape.
Then fix it in place just like the first one — bolts and nuts.
🛠️ TIP: Take your time to get the rail alignment right. This step decides how accurate your cuts will be later on.
Step 3. Attach Track Stoppers to the Jigsaw Guide Track
Once the guide rails are in place, it’s time to add track stoppers.
These are made from spruce wood and fit between the guide rails. They help stop the jigsaw at the ends of the track, and they also act as mounting points when attaching the guide track to the table later on.
- Cut the stoppers to size and make sure they sit snugly between the rails.
- Fix them with wood glue and screws for a solid connection.
🛠️ TIP: Don’t overtighten the screws or the stoppers may split. Pre-drilling pilot holes helps.
Step 4. Drill Sight Holes in the Jigsaw Guide Track
After attaching both aluminum guide rails to the track, drill several sight holes along the guide rail using a 20 mm Forstner bit. These holes help you follow your cutting line more easily by improving visibility during the cut.
Next, place the jigsaw onto the track and cut a center slot along the length of the track to allow the blade to pass through.
Before using the guide track, lightly sand the entire surface and both edges. This removes splinters and makes the jigsaw slide smoother and with less resistance.
Step 5. Build the Jigsaw Cutting Station Table
Now that the jigsaw guide rail is complete, let’s move on to building the table base for the cutting station.
Start by cutting a plywood board to size — 750 x 450 x 12 mm. This will serve as the main tabletop.
Glue two wooden strips to the underside of the table, one at each end. These strips add extra thickness and improve grip when clamping the station during use. Let the glue dry, then reinforce the strips with screws from the top side if needed.
This base will support the jigsaw guide rail and act as a platform for crosscuts and angle cuts.
Step 6. Attach Wooden Legs to the Table
Cut four wooden bars that will act as legs or stands for the cutting station. Glue them to the underside of the table, keeping a centered gap between the bars where the jigsaw blade will cut through.
Once the glue has set, flip the table over and secure the bars with screws from the top for added stability.
⚠️ NOTE: The height of the bars is key. Make sure the distance between the bottom of the table and your workbench surface is greater than the length of your jigsaw blade. This ensures the blade won’t hit the surface below during cuts.
Step 7. Mount the Jigsaw Guide Track to the Jigsaw Table
Now that the guide rail is ready, it’s time to attach it to the table.
Start by placing the jigsaw guide rail on the cutting station table. Measure and align it so that the track is exactly 260 mm from the front edge of the table. Once aligned, secure it temporarily in place using clamps.
⚠️ NOTE: Double-check that the slot on the jigsaw track is centered over the gap between the wooden legs underneath the table. This ensures the blade has room to pass through cleanly.
To fix the guide rail in place:
1. Mark the mounting position
Use a ⌀2 mm drill bit to make a pilot hole through the track and table. Then enlarge it with a ⌀8 mm drill bit.
2. Drill for T-nuts
Using a Forstner bit, drill a ⌀20 mm recess into the table (just deep enough to seat the T-nut), and then drill a ⌀7.5 mm hole all the way through.
🛠️ You can secure the T-nuts with epoxy from the top, or once the threaded rod is in, lock it with a nut from the underside of the table.
3. Drill blade slot hole
Drill a ⌀20 mm hole on the cutting line for the jigsaw blade using a Forstner bit.
4. Attach the guide rail
Insert a ⌀6 mm threaded rod through the holes and T-nuts. Place the guide track onto the rods and tighten it with wing nuts.
Once everything is mounted, use your jigsaw to slowly cut a slot in the table. Keep the jigsaw steady to avoid a skewed cut.
💡 TIP: Use the right blade for plywood and cut slowly. Holding the jigsaw firmly helps get a cleaner cut.
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Step 8. Attach a 90 Degree Crosscut Fence
Once the guide rail is mounted, it’s time to add a crosscut fence for clean, repeatable 90-degree cuts.
- Mark the cut line
Draw a line perpendicular to the guide rail slot. This will serve as a reference for your fence placement. - Attach the fence
Place a straight wood strip along the line, making sure it’s square to the jigsaw track. Use a large square or speed square to double-check the angle. - Fix the fence in place
Secure the strip with wood glue and screws to keep it sturdy and reliable over time.
⚠️ NOTE: Double-check the 90-degree angle before securing everything permanently. Small misalignments will affect the accuracy of your crosscuts.
Step 9. Attach an Adjustable Fence
To make angled cuts—like clean 45-degree miters—you’ll need an adjustable fence. Here’s how to set one up:
- Mark your cut angle
Draw a 45-degree line across the guide rail slot. This will be your cutting reference. - Position the angle guide
Use an aluminum L-angle as the adjustable fence. Place it along the marked line and draw parallel guide lines for drilling. - Add hardware for adjustability
Drill a 15 mm hole in the table and insert a ⌀4 mm T-nut.
- Prep the aluminum rail
Drill a 4 mm hole in the center of the L-angle. Cut a slot to allow a butterfly wing bolt to slide in and secure it from the top. - Attach the guide
Line up the aluminum rail with the guide marks and bolt it down using the wing nut. Now you have a reliable and adjustable fence for angled cuts.
⚠️ TIP: You can replicate this setup for other angles using the same process—just change the angle mark.
This is what the finished jigsaw cutting table fence looks like.
How to use a Jigsaw Cutting Station
Using the jigsaw cutting station is simple, and it makes cutting wood more accurate, safer, and repeatable. Whether you’re cutting straight, making crosscuts, or working with angles, this setup has you covered.
Here’s how to use it:
- Secure the jig
Clamp the cutting station to your workbench so it doesn’t move. - Set your cut angle
Adjust the table fence to your desired angle — 90° or 45°, depending on the cut. - Position your material
Place the board between the jigsaw guide track and the cutting fence. - Fix the board
Clamp or hold the workpiece firmly in place so it doesn’t shift while cutting. - Mount the jigsaw
Slide your jigsaw into the guide track. Make sure it moves freely. - Make the cut
Start the jigsaw slowly and push it gently through the material. Take your time for a clean and accurate cut.
⚠️ NOTE: Be sure your jigsaw blade is long enough to avoid cutting into the support bars or your workbench underneath.
Struggling to make a straight 90-degree cut with your jigsaw?
Check out how to cut straight with a jigsaw — these tips will help you avoid skewed cuts and improve your accuracy.
Can you crosscut with a Jigsaw?
Yes, a jigsaw can absolutely make crosscuts — and much more. It’s a versatile tool capable of straight, bevel, miter, and even curved or plunge cuts.
When combined with a jigsaw guide or a cutting station, it becomes much easier to make precise crosscuts on wider boards and panels. A good setup ensures clean results and keeps your cut lines accurate.
➕ For example, here’s how I used a jigsaw to make clean curved cuts in this Jigsaw Circle Jig build.
Can you make a 45 degree cut with a jigsaw?
Yes — a jigsaw can make accurate 45-degree cuts, also known as miter cuts.
For shorter cuts, using a square or a bevel gauge can help guide your jigsaw by hand. But if you’re cutting wider boards or working with repeated angles, a jigsaw table or cutting station with an adjustable fence is the better option.
And don’t forget: the right jigsaw blade plays a big role in getting clean, accurate angles.
10 TPI reverse-pitch tooth pattern for extra clean top surfaces when cutting in hard and soft wood, plywood.
My Take
I’m really happy with how the jigsaw cutting station turned out. Being able to use the jigsaw guide rail on its own — or mounted to the table for accurate 90° and 45° cuts — really adds to the tool’s versatility.
Sure, the table takes up a bit of space, but even in smaller workshops it can be stored vertically or mounted to a wall when not in use. It’s perfect for cutting smaller boards or wooden strips, and it handles materials up to about 2 cm thick with no problem.
Keep in mind, the blade you use makes a big difference. For crosscuts and straight cuts like these, I recommend a slightly wider jigsaw blade — it provides better stability and results in cleaner, straighter lines.
If you’re looking for a jig that extends what your jigsaw can do without investing in a bigger tool, this one’s worth building.
Ready to build your own jigsaw table cutting station? Let’s do it!
I hope this guide gave you a solid overview of how to build your own jigsaw cutting station. It’s one of the most useful jigs I’ve made for my workshop, especially for repeatable and angled cuts.
📥 Don’t forget to download the free cutting station plans and save time on your build. Happy woodworking!
