How do you get more consistent with cuts and joints?

Pick one skill and practise it on offcuts, not on the project you care about. Make a batch of the same joint or a set of square cuts, then check what is off and change one thing at a time. Repeating the same small task makes it easier to see whether the adjustment helped.

If you can, get someone knowledgeable to look at your setup or take a basic class. A second pair of eyes can spot a habit that is hard to notice while you are concentrating on the cut.

Before blaming your measuring, check the machine and the setup. Verify that the blade and fence are square where they need to be, and make a test cut on scrap before cutting project pieces. Mark a reference face and edge so you are checking from the same surfaces each time.

If adjusting a jig starts creating new problems, pause and reset it instead of stacking another correction on top. A test piece is cheaper than trying to rescue the finished work.

For parts that need to fit a specific opening or uneven assembly, sneak up on the fit. Leave the piece a little long, test it, then remove a small amount and check again. That can be less frustrating than measuring repeatedly and expecting one cut to land perfectly.

It is not the answer for every part, especially when several pieces must match. For those, a stop or repeatable reference helps keep the set consistent.

For the staff joint, make the connection while the surrounding shape is still a bit rough, then check the alignment in a dry fit before gluing. A simple holding jig can keep the pieces straight while the adhesive sets. You can do the final shaping or sanding with the parts assembled, which may help blend a small offset.

If the connection needs to come apart, the alignment has to work each time it is reassembled. A locating shoulder or groove may help the pieces register in the same position, but the joint design depends on how you intend to use it.