instructables

Tapering

by diymontreal

The tapering jig is one of the easier to build but often overlooked.

What is a tapering jig exactly? To put is simply, it's a sled that works with your table to make rip cuts on an angle.

It can be used to add a taper to furniture legs, cut on an angle, straighten a live edge, or even cut an awkwardly shaped board and reestablish a straight edge.

https://youtu.be/XjV-NciUP7A

Tapering Jig: Page 1 Step 1: Tools & Materials

Gather your tools and materials for this build.

Materials

Toilet bolts http://amzn.to/2ESVgGJ Star knobs http://amzn.to/2Ed6l8o · Toggle clamps http://amzn.to/2C4MORC 3/4 Plywood http://amzn.to/2E9ZVqC Screws #6 3/4" flat head and #12 3/4" pan head strip

Tools

Table saw http://bit.ly/2thGg2T Palm https://amzn.to/2IM2bXk Straight router bit http://amzn.to/2xwBuzB Spiral router bit http://amzn.to/2tUV2wK /driver set http://amzn.to/2FMH1CE Gorilla glue http://amzn.to/2FtKA4R

Step 2: Cut the Parts

I started by grabbing a scrap piece of ¾ Baltic birch I personally cut an 8 inch strip for the base and a 2 plywood from my cart. The measurements of inch strip for the . You’ll also need a small the jig will really depend on the size of your strip of any hardwood that you’ll need to cut down and what you plan to do with it, whether it’s taper to an exact fit in your miter slot. I used a leftover strip furniture legs, cut plywood on and angle or straighten of I had from some reclaimed floorboards, but a live edge. almost any hardwood will do.

Tapering Jig: Page 2 Step 3: Router Grooves

I used my router to first make a wide shallow using. Without adjusting my router’s fence, I made a just deep enough so that the head of my bolt would groove inside the other shallow one, this time going lay below the surface. I made one on each end of the all the way through, and I did this on both sides. board careful to leave a gap on each side and not go all the way to the edge. When you’re done, your bolt should fit perfectly and slide within the newly created tracks. You’ll also need a smaller straight bit or spiral bit that’s at least the size of whatever bolt you’re

Step 4: More Grooves

Next, I roughly marked where the fence would intersect with the tracks on the base, and marked a rough line. I then use the same spiral bit to make a slot all the way through.

Tapering Jig: Page 3 Step 5: Hardware

I had some left over hardware from my drill press I then marked out where I would install my toggle table build, so I’m again using simple toggle clamps, clamps, then made some pilot holes before screwing toilet bolts and star knobs for this jig. them down. I know this will seem obvious, but make sure your screws are short enough so they don’t With the slots all cut out, the table can now be break though to the bottom piece. I used #12 3/4" pan assembled. I slid the toilet bolts up through the head screws. tracks from underneath, through the base and up through the fence. I added a washer over the toilet bolts before screwing down the star knobs.

Tapering Jig: Page 4 Step 6: Attach the Miter Bar

The last step is to attach the jig to the miter bar. I added some weights on top on let it set for about 30 minutes. I put down a few dimes in the miter slot first just to raise up the hardwood slightly to make the glue up I then drilled some pilot holes and countersunk easier. I then applied just a few dabs of Gorilla glue to them to hide all the screw heads. I then mounted the the hardwood strip. screws with a screwdriver by hand to avoid splitting the . Tip:You just need the wood to stick here so don’t overdo it and get glue all over your table saw and the bottom of the jig.

Step 7: Trim the Edge

All that was left was to run the sled through the blade with the runner in the miter slot to trim off the edge and create the zero clearance.

Tapering Jig: Page 5 Step 8: Back Stop

The last small detail I added was a metal stop at the end of the fence. Note that this is more to make consistent cuts when you’re tapering legs; the toggle clamps are actually what’s holding down the wood securely.

Step 9: How to Use

To use the jig, mark the line you want to cut and transfer those lines onto the board’s edges. Then just line those marks up with the edge of the jig, lock it down against the fence, and make your cut.

Be sure to check out the video tutorial if you haven't already done so. If you like what you see, subscribe to my YouTube channel to get notified when I post new builds.

You'll also find more projects on my website at diymontreal.com projects like:

Build a drill press table The Ultimate Lumber Storage Cart Easy half lap joints

Tapering Jig: Page 6 What kind of Palm router is it? Your link is not good.

Sorry about that! It's the Ridgid palm router https://amzn.to/2IM2bXk

A little bit different. I have 4 toggle clamps somewhere in my shop but when I couldn't find them I substituted these wooden clamps. Used the fixture to taper 32" long table legs. Great fixture, easy to use and very repeatable.

Great!

Very nice tutorial! Will probably make this! Thanks

With a little squaring up it should function as a to boot!

Thanks for sharing ! May I ask what table saw model is this and if you are happy with it. I'm looking to buy something about that size and taking all advices. Cheers !

Sure thing, I have the older version of the Ryobi 10" contractor saw. Craftsman makes the same one: http://amzn.to/2DDdmtU That being said, I'm not happy with it and plan to update real soon. It was a great starter saw for a few years, but I now see all the problems... very small table, the fence isn't always parallel, the table isn't flat, the miter slots are weird, it's loud, vibrates a lots, etc. Like I said, it was good to start, but will be looking into getting something better (but that also means more expensive). Hope this helps!

Tapering Jig: Page 7 This kit: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B079JN1DSK/ ...might be a better option for bolts and knobs - about the same cost, and leaves you with more bits to use on a future project.

Great post, I dont have a table saw but just got a band saw and planning to make a few jigs. Couldn't think of the name of toggle ! :)

Nice job. I'll be making one of these.

While this jig attachment has been around for years.you certainly did a good job in the fabrication, it’s a good share with the viewers and for those that want to construct one.

Like it!!! Will be making one soon.

Someone just gave me two toggle clamps yesterday while I was sanding some unique bookshelves I'm working in my driveway. My table saw is home made, so I'm not sure I have the blade clearance to make this design work, but I like it anyway.

Thanks for this informative post! I just bought a new table saw and I have to add this project to the list of jigs I need to build!

Tapering Jig: Page 8