Bandsaws are incredibly versatile machines—but the right jig is what truly unlocks their precision and repeatability. Whether you’re cutting perfect circles, duplicating parts, or tackling joinery, a well-designed jig turns a good bandsaw into a great one.

We’ve gathered 10 of the best free bandsaw jig plans available online—each practical, shop-tested, and worth building. Let’s get into it.

Bandsaw Circle Cutting Jig (WOOD Magazine)

Photo credit: WOOD Magazine

Overview: This classic circle-cutting jig handles a wide range—from small discs to large tabletops up to 44 inches in diameter. It’s a straightforward build using scrap plywood and a sliding pivot system.

Why it’s great: A proven, highly adjustable design that belongs in every shop.

Link to original plans: https://www.woodmagazine.com/woodworking-plans/free/bandsawcircle

DIY Bandsaw Circle Cutting Jig (Instructables)

Photo credit: Instructables / Autodesk

Overview: A detailed step-by-step build with photos covering everything from base construction to adjustable sliding mechanisms. Ideal for beginners wanting a guided project.

Why it’s great: Clear instructions make it approachable for first-time jig builders.

Link to original plans: https://www.instructables.com/Build-a-Bandsaw-Circle-Cutting-Jig/

Band Saw Template Jig (Woodsmith)

Photo credit: Woodsmith Plans

Overview: Designed for repeatability, this jig lets you rough-cut identical parts quickly using templates, then clean them up with a router.

Why it’s great: Perfect for batch work and production-style woodworking.

Link to original plans: https://www.woodsmithplans.com/plan/band-saw-template-jig/

Cutting Circles on the Band Saw (Rockler)

Overview: This free tutorial shows how to build a straightforward circle-cutting jig sized to your bandsaw table, using a line of evenly spaced pivot holes and a short dowel to define the radius. It is an easy shop-made build from sheet stock, and the design makes accurate repeatable circles far simpler than freehand cutting.

Why it’s great: It is fast to build, easy to customize, and genuinely useful in almost any woodworking shop.

Link to original plans: https://www.rockler.com/learn/cutting-circles-on-band-saw

Bandsaw Dovetail Jig (The Sorted Details)

Photo credit: The Sorted Details

Overview: A clever jig that uses an angled platform and fence to cut consistent dovetail joints on the bandsaw—ideal for those who struggle with hand-cut joinery.

Why it’s great: Makes precise dovetails accessible without expensive tools.

Link to original plans: https://thesorteddetails.blogspot.com/2011/02/bandsaw-dovetail-jig-free-plan.html

Band Saw Pattern Jig (Popular Woodworking)

Overview: This clever jig uses an adjustable finger that rides against a template, making it easier to cut repeatable curves on the bandsaw while intentionally leaving a little cleanup margin. It is especially useful when producing matching parts for furniture, chair components, or other shaped workpieces.

Why it’s great: It brings router-template accuracy to the bandsaw in a simple, buildable format.

Link to original plans: https://www.popularwoodworking.com/tricks/band-saw-pattern-jig/

Cutting Circles on the Band Saw (Rockler)

Overview: Rockler’s guide walks through a straightforward circle-cutting jig sized to the bandsaw table, with evenly spaced pivot holes that let you cut a range of diameters from one simple platform. It is an approachable build that relies on basic sheet goods and careful layout rather than complicated hardware.

Why it’s great: It is one of the cleanest, most beginner-friendly circle-jig builds online.

Link to original plans: https://www.rockler.com/learn/cutting-circles-on-band-saw

Design a Bandsaw Chamfering Jig for Turning (Canadian Woodworking)

Overview: Designed for woodturners, this specialized jig traps a square blank between centers so you can safely trim away the corners on the bandsaw before heading to the lathe. The result is less roughing time, less waste, and a more refined workflow when preparing spindle or bowl stock.

Why it’s great: It solves a very real shop problem with an elegant, purpose-built design.

Link to original plans: https://canadianwoodworking.com/project/design-a-bandsaw-chamfering-jig-for-turning/

Smart Jig for Bandsawn Dovetails (Fine Woodworking)

Overview: This flippable MDF jig is built around a chosen dovetail slope and a centered stop block, allowing you to cut tail boards accurately at the bandsaw without constantly resetting the fence. It is compact, smartly thought out, and especially appealing for woodworkers who want faster dovetail prep with reliable symmetry.

Why it’s great: It turns a traditionally fussy operation into a repeatable, low-stress process.

Link to original plans: https://www.finewoodworking.com/2024/07/02/smart-jig-for-bandsawn-dovetails

Resawing Bandsaw Jig and Technique (WOOD Magazine)

Overview: This jig-and-technique package focuses on resawing and small-log processing, showing how a dedicated setup can help guide stock safely and consistently through a demanding cut. It is especially useful for woodworkers interested in harvesting their own material or improving control during thick resaw operations.

Why it’s great: It expands the bandsaw from a curve-cutting tool into a serious stock-prep machine.

Link to original plans: https://www.woodmagazine.com/woodworking-plans/jigs/resawing-bandsaw-jig-and-technique

Making Bowl Blanks with a Bandsaw Circle-Cutting Jig (Woodshop Mike)

Overview: Rather than presenting a generic jig build, this tutorial shows the circle-cutting jig in practical use for transforming half logs into bowl blanks. That makes it especially valuable for turners, because the project is grounded in real workflow: locate center, set the indexing pin, and rotate the blank through the cut for a fast, efficient prep method.

Why it’s great: It connects jig design directly to a useful, real-world turning application.

Link to original plans: https://woodshopmike.com/making-bowl-blanks/

A good jig does more than guide a cut. It builds confidence, improves repeatability, and helps you use the bandsaw with the kind of control that makes ambitious work feel completely manageable.

Building a few well-chosen jigs like these can completely transform how you use your bandsaw. Start with a circle jig, add a resaw guide, and before long you’ll find yourself reaching for the bandsaw far more often than expected.

In a well-tuned shop, jigs aren’t accessories—they’re force multipliers. Choose wisely, build carefully, and your bandsaw will reward you with precision that feels almost effortless.

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