How to Use a Taper Jig on a Table Saw
Cutting attractive, uniform tapers can really make a woodworking project stand out. The best and most accurate way to make uniform tapers is with a tapering jig and a table saw. Tapering jigs are available in a variety of shapes and styles. They are composed of materials ranging from aluminum to scrap wood. The most common and most popular tapering jig due to its ease of use is a hinged jig. Once you master the technique to use the tool, the number of projects that you can build dramatically increases.
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Things You'll Need
- 1-by-6 inch piece of wood
- Measuring tape or other measuring device
- Hinged tapering jig
- Safety glasses
Instructions
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1
Measure up from the bottom of a 1-by-6 inch piece of wood to locate where the taper begins, and mark the spot with a pencil. Determine the angle of the taper from the specifications of your project.
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2
Adjust a hinged tapering jig to the angle specified in the project plans by loosening the wing nut on the adjustment gauge and aligning the left side of the jig with the appropriate mark on the gauge. When the jig is adjusted properly, tighten the wing nut. Recheck the gauge to ensure nothing moved during the tightening process.
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3
Put the right side of the tapering jig flat against the fence of the table saw. Insert the 1-by-6 inch wood into the tapering jig so that it sits flat against the jig and the bottom of the wood rests in the stop at the bottom of the jig. The pencil mark you made should be visible on the left side of the wood.
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4
Adjust the table saw blade to the correct angle to the saw table, usually 90 degrees.
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5
Adjust the table saw fence so that the left side of the blade aligns with the pencil mark you made.
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6
Put on a pair of safety glasses, and turn on the table saw. With the saw running, make a small nick in the 1-by-6 inch wood with the saw blade to ensure the table saw and angle jig are set to make the cut correctly. If further adjustment is needed, turn off the saw and make the appropriate corrections.
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7
Run the 1-by-6 inch wood through the table saw, keeping the right side of the tapering jig tight against the table saw fence and the right side of the wood against the tapering jig.
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