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Taper Jig

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Project by CutNRun posted 1958 days ago 7467 views 27 times favorited 9 comments Add to Favorites Watch
Taper Jig
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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




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9 comments so far

View GaryK's profile

GaryK

10263 posts in 2155 days


#1 posted 1958 days ago

That will work for sure. Good job.

-- Gary - Never pass up the opportunity to make a mistake look like you planned it that way - Tyler, TX

View Dorje's profile

Dorje

1761 posts in 2163 days


#2 posted 1958 days ago

That certainly looks a lot safer than the aluminum variety – having the hold down seems like a great idea…

-- Dorje (pronounced "door-jay"), Seattle, WA

View Blake's profile

Blake

3421 posts in 2041 days


#3 posted 1958 days ago

I like simple jigs like this. They always seem to be the most useful. It is so easy to over-engineer something but you have done a great job K.I.S.S.ing this jig.

-- Happy woodworking! http://www.blakeweber.us

View LONGHAIR's profile

LONGHAIR

94 posts in 1981 days


#4 posted 1958 days ago

I have never seen it done like that (miter slot). Every time I have needed a tapering jig, it was made for the specific application. But it was made to ride along the rip fence.
As has been said, hold-downs are a great saftey item in this type of jig. The commercial aluminum jigs may work, but they sure aren’t the safest thing.

View Peter Oxley's profile

Peter Oxley

1423 posts in 2041 days


#5 posted 1958 days ago

I started building a taper jig today … now you have me thinking your way is better! Thanks for posting!

-- http://www.peteroxley.com -- http://north40studios.etsy.com --

View TreeBones's profile

TreeBones

1797 posts in 2190 days


#6 posted 1958 days ago

Cool tool. Some day I may try this style.

-- Ron, Twain Harte, Ca. Portable on site Sawmill Service http://westcoastlands.net/Sawmill.html http://westcoastlands.net/SawBucks2/phpBB3 http://www.portablesawmill.info

View Jiri Parkman's profile

Jiri Parkman

947 posts in 1979 days


#7 posted 1957 days ago

Beauty of simplicity.

-- Jiri

View Grumpy's profile

Grumpy

17838 posts in 2017 days


#8 posted 1922 days ago

Good one Cutnrun.

-- Grumpy - "Always look on the bright side of life"- Monty Python

View Chardt's profile

Chardt

158 posts in 1768 days


#9 posted 1746 days ago

I’ll need to make one of these for the next project I’m designing. It’s an oak buffet/window seat for our dining room.

-- When my wife ask's what I have to show for my wood working hobby, I just show her the splinters.

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