Woodworking Tips Index

Frame and Panel Jig Gluing up a frame and panel door so it ends up perfectly square can be tricky. The pieces always seem to slip out of position during glue up. To prevent this, I built the simple jig shown in the photo. It provides an accurate reference that makes it easy to square up the door.

A glance at the drawing shows that the jig consists of a plywood base that supports the door and two wood cleats that form a square corner. It's important that the cleats are 90° to each other. So start by attaching one cleat with glue and screws. Then use a framing square to position the second cleat as you glue and screw it in place.

To use the jig, start by placing a clamp directly over (and parallel to) the rails of the frame. Then, adjust the pressure and position of the clamps until the frame sits square in the jig. Note: To prevent glue from sticking to the jig, I brushed on several coats of a polyurethane finish.