Tapering small parts

[poolhound]

I am making a box and was thinking of adding some legs that will be stuck on the corners and extend below the main body of the box. I think a taper will look nice and was considering the easiest and safest way to do this.

The pieces will be approx 1" sq tapering to 3/8 over 6". I was thinking of creating and MDF template, rough cutting the taper on the BS or using a JS and then us the template to finish at the router table.

I guess I could also rough cut and hand plane although that may be tricker to get all 8 tapers identical.

ANy other thoughts?

[pelligrini]

I'd fabricate a little holder/taper jig and do 'em on the tablesaw. Especially if I already had a couple sleds like you do.

[just started]

Small lathe is the best way. If you don't have a lathe you can try using your drill press turned on it's side.

If you are going to use hand tools you need a curved spokeshave.

[poolhound]

I'd fabricate a little holder/taper jig and do 'em on the tablesaw. Especially if I already had a couple sleds like you do.

Interesting thought. I was only thinking about using the rip fence style taper jig It hadnt occured to me to do it as a x-cut.

I will keep that idea in my head as I go to bed and dream of a mini tape jig.

Thanks

[Brian G]

I used a method similar to what pelligrini suggested when I needed tapers on legs for a DVD cabinet. The tapers were on 4" legs; tapers went from 1-3/8" to 7/8".

Photos are not well focused. I took them before I got smart and bought a tripod for the camera. Sorry about the lack of focus.

Please note that I had to remove the blade guard to use this procedure. I do not endorse the removal of safety equipment. The user assumes risk of serious injury when safety equipment is removed.

You will need a piece of scrap, like MDF, that is about 12" wide and, oh, how about 20" or so long. The dimension isn't critical, but the wider the better (and safer). Set your fence to cut the scrap to a little less wide. This will be your carrier board. Once you have your fence locked in place, DO NOT MOVE IT!.



Mark out your taper on a piece of scrap that is the same width and length of your piece that you intend to taper. In this example, I have a 4" leg that tapers from 1-3/8" to 7/8".



Clamp this scrap piece to the blade side of the carrier board, so that the offcut side is to the outside of the cut line.



While the scrap piece is clamped to the carrier board, screw onto the opposite side of the carrier board other scraps to make a "cradle" that butts against the scrap piece to be tapered. I also used a hold-down clamp.



Clamp your scrap piece onto the carrier board, and cut the taper.



This method isn't elegant, but it's quick to make and doesn't require space to store a dedicated jig.

[cabinetman]

If you have a RAS, or a CMS/SCMS, set the angle of the taper. Use a stop board to the left of the piece to be cut. Use a second piece of wood as a topper to hold down the subject piece while being cut.

Or, you could cut close with a BS or jig saw, and if you have a stationary sander (belt/disc), dress the edges.
.

[poolhound]

A small jig cut to the desired taper and clamped to the x-cut sled is all it took




Here is what I needed it for. I tapered the legs of this box and they are approx 5" long. I just finished it but now it needs finishing.

[pelligrini]

That's exactly what I was thinking, but with a holdown block on top.

That box looks good. The tapers really add to the detail and scale.

[tlt]

great ideas on the tapers -- i had been trying to figure out something safe for a similar task...this saves my brain the pain.

Neat box -- how did you attach the legs to the sides?

[poolhound]

That's exactly what I was thinking, but with a holdown block on top.

That box looks good. The tapers really add to the detail and scale.

If I was making lots of cuts I may have added the hold down. I found that applying pressure to the top with another piece of wood kept my finger clear and the workpiece solid.

[poolhound]

great ideas on the tapers -- i had been trying to figure out something safe for a similar task...this saves my brain the pain.

Neat box -- how did you attach the legs to the sides?

Cutting these tapers is an example of one of those things that was so much simpler in execution once I figured the best way to do it - with the help of the great folks on this forum of course.

Once I had figured than angle I wanted it too all of two minutes to cut the jig on the band saw.

The legs are simply glued, held in place with a band clamp.

[pelligrini]

If I was making lots of cuts I may have added the hold down. I found that applying pressure to the top with another piece of wood kept my finger clear and the workpiece solid.

That'll work too.