Cut on-the-money "coins" with absolute safety

This simple jig allows you to precisely cut short lengths of wood dowels, for use as checkers or decorations, with no risk of chip-out or the coin firing back at you. Make the body of the jig from scrap 2-by material about 12" long, and the handle from 1-by material. Near the front of the jig body, drill a hole matching the dowel diameter. Then, bandsaw a wedge-shape kerf where shown. Glue the handle to the body.

To cut a coin, insert the dowel into the hole, push its end flush against the fence, and push the jig through the blade. Your hand pressure will squeeze the jig tightly around the dowel, holding it securely. Push the coin out, and repeat to make another.
—Bob LaDue, Grandview, Mo.