General - Tablesaw Tenon Jig 50-050
General’s version of the heavy-duty jig designed for cutting tenons and other wood joints on the tablesaw.
The left-tilt mechanism on the General achieves 45°—no other jig tilts that far—but the horizontal handle must be removed to provide clearance. In addition to the typical 45° backward tilt, the General is the only jig that tilts forward the same amount. But in both cases it lacks an adjustable stop to establish repeatable 90° settings.
The clamping arm swivels up and down, as well as back and forth, to accommodate a wider range of workpiece sizes and shapes. But it has only two front-to-back positions. So, to switch from one to the other, you have to remove the handle, then unthread the rod from one position, rethread in the other one, and remount the handle.
There are four holes in the jig for the two handles, giving a range of options both horizontally and vertically.
Oddly, the General jig does not automatically align itself parallel to the tablesaw blade when tightened in position. There was play between the fence and base, about 1/32 in. over 3 in., which is more than enough to cut a misaligned tenon. To avoid the problem, you need to make sure the fence always bears against the same side of the base when you tighten it.
Also, the fence didn’t reach all the way to the blade on my Powermatic 66 saw, which has a slot that’s 5-1/2 in. from the blade. So I had to add a scrap block to the fence of the jig to serve as a spacer.
Fine Woodworking Recommended Products
Veritas Micro-Adjust Wheel Marking Gauge
Veritas Standard Wheel Marking Gauge
Sawstop Miter Gauge
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