Taper Jig

To do a project recently, I needed to make some tapered legs. I had never attempted tapered legs previously. After a bit of internet research, I learned about various ways to create tapers using a jointer, bandsaw, or tablesaw. My tool of choice is a tablesaw, so I naturally went this route. I reviewed a number of different jigs for creating tapers using the tablesaw, but liked this design from Fine Wood Working the best. It was very simple to make and is just as simple to use. The results are dead accurate and completely repeatable.

The runner for the jig is intentionally undersized to be a bit loose in the miter slot. When you cut your taper, the sled is held firmly toward the saw blade. When you pull the sled back on the return stroke, you pull it back from the blade, providing clearance so that there is no marring of the just cut surface. I added the two wooden handles to the jig to make this easier to accomplish.

The jig can cut either full length tapers or tapers to a set line. You can also cut two sided or four sided tapers equally well. The hold down clamp and wood blocks hold your leg blanks securely in place.

If you subscribe to Fine Wood Working On-Line, the video that I watched and made the sled/jig from can be found at

http://www.taunton.com/finewoodworking/subscription/Workshop/WorkshopArticle.aspx?id=27102

I believe the sled could also be used to joint the edge of a badly warped board, but haven’t tried this yet.

-- CutNRun - So much wood, so many trails, so little time