How to Make a Tapered Pole

Tapering wood is necessary for various types of projects.

For certain types of projects, such as installing fence posts or building a table, a tapered piece of wood will look better than a straight piece of wood. While a tapered pole might seem difficult to create, it should only take a matter of minutes to successfully make a tapered pole if you have the right tools. However, if you have never completed this type of project before, or if you've never worked with a jointer, practice on some scrap wood before attempting to taper your main pole.

Things You'll Need

• Pencil
• Spacer
• Jointer

Instructions

1. Use a pencil to make the smallest size you want on the pole. This is the size to which you will taper it down.

2. Set the pole down on a jointer table with the end that you want to taper near the jointer blade.

3. Insert a small spacer underneath the end that will stay the same size. The spacer size is determined by where you made the initial mark on the pole. You want the spacer to lift the pole just enough so that the blade will cut right along the marked area, and continuously make thinner cuts as it moves along the pole.

4. Cut across the bottom edge of the other side of the pole with the jointer right at the space you marked. As you make the cuts further up the pole, the diagonal placement caused by the spacer will taper the wood.

References

• Woodgears.ca: Building a Table (Tapering the Legs)