Finding an effective jig or fixture for a woodworking operation can be as elusive and time-consuming as designing a great piece of furniture, a sailboat, or a ukulele. It takes solid woodworking knowledge and some problem-solving skills, with a good dose of inspiration thrown in. Even a moderately complex setup can pose numerous choices:

• What tool or machine is best for the operation?
• Should the jig move the wood over the machine or guide the machine past the wood?
• How does the workpiece need to be referenced and clamped?
• Should the...