An adjustable L-fence, as described by Bob Van Dyke in FWW #290, is an invaluable table-saw jig with a growing number of fans.

Van Dyke described a variety of uses and accessories for the versatile jig, but those are just a start. Once when I was assisting a woodworking class, we needed to crosscut a wide panel but lacked a table-saw sled big enough for the task. There was a Van Dyke–style L-fence on hand, so I came up with this simple crosscut jig that works in tandem with it. It’s another L-shape, but flat this time. Built from two pieces of plywood, it can be made in multiple sizes, to suit any project.

I used a combination square to align the jig’s two legs, and double-stick tape to hold them in place temporarily. The tape allows tiny adjustments if the parts are out of square. After joining the legs permanently with screws, I added 120-grit sandpaper to the underside of the longer, top leg to keep it from shifting on the workpiece.

To use the jig, start by adjusting the height of your L-fence to just above the thickness of your workpiece. Then adjust the rip fence so the edge of the L-fence is aligned with the outside edge of the blade. Now push the back leg of the jig against the workpiece, align the other leg with your cut mark, and hold it there while you push it along the edge of the L-fence. Hand pressure is all you need to keep everything stable as you make the cut.

By the way, a similar fence, with the legs attached at 45°, works great for cutting long miters.

—Amanda Russell, Philadelphia, Pa.