Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 5 hours ago
I’ve found the perfect taper I want for my table leg. The taper starts at 5” down from the top, and at the foot I’m moving out an inch. in 3/4’s of an inch. My blade will travel down this line. But before I cut hardwood, I need a pattern. I made an exact replica but out of hardboard, which will make setting up our tapering jig easy.
On the bottom of my taper, I’ll measure in 1/4 inch from my cut line. Using my tapering jig, I’ll line that mark with the edge of the jig, then bring the arm right up against the hardboard.
At the opposite end of the taper, I’ll do the same thing…but this time I’ll use a ruler to set the back side of the arm, again, I’m looking for 1/4 inch.
This is the most critical step…both sides need to read 1/4 inch after the clamps go on the hardboard. Now I can line the blade with the start of the taper, and I’ll slide my fence right to the edge of the jig before locking it.
Once the cut is made, I’ll check that I’m right on my line...but I’m still not ready for hardwood yet. I’ll flip the jig over and use it as a straightedge to draw a line underneath. That line becomes my story stick.
So if my fence moves, the arm shifts, or I want this taper again later…I know exactly where everything needs to go to make the same cut.Now I’m ready to make my cut in hardwood.
Like step by step projects? Check out the second channel! → @makethingswithrob
Become a patron! → patreon.com/makethings ←
Huge thank you to my patrons that keep this thing going!
*MAKER TEAM*
Michelle B
Keith Current
Rich Lightfoot
Tutor the Barbarian
Aubrey G.
Nukebert
Sam W.
Aaron Knows DIY
G. Salazar
David B.
Marc B.
Richard B.
Ben. K
Bill Patterson
D. Lundman
Make Things
#MakeThings #mtbitesize
make things,make things with rob,let's make things,just make things,makethigns,makethings
I’ve found the perfect taper I want for my table leg. The taper starts at 5” down from the top, and at the foot I’m moving out an inch. in 3/4’s of an inch. My blade will travel down this line. But before I cut hardwood, I need a pattern. I made an exact replica but out of hardboard, which will make setting up our tapering jig easy.
On the bottom of my taper, I’ll measure in 1/4 inch from my cut line. Using my tapering jig, I’ll line that mark with the edge of the jig, then bring the arm right up against the hardboard.
At the opposite end of the taper, I’ll do the same thing…but this time I’ll use a ruler to set the back side of the arm, again, I’m looking for 1/4 inch.
This is the most critical step…both sides need to read 1/4 inch after the clamps go on the hardboard. Now I can line the blade with the start of the taper, and I’ll slide my fence right to the edge of the jig before locking it.
Once the cut is made, I’ll check that I’m right on my line...but I’m still not ready for hardwood yet. I’ll flip the jig over and use it as a straightedge to draw a line underneath. That line becomes my story stick.
So if my fence moves, the arm shifts, or I want this taper again later…I know exactly where everything needs to go to make the same cut.Now I’m ready to make my cut in hardwood.
Like step by step projects? Check out the second channel! → @makethingswithrob
Become a patron! → patreon.com/makethings ←
Huge thank you to my patrons that keep this thing going!
*MAKER TEAM*
Michelle B
Keith Current
Rich Lightfoot
Tutor the Barbarian
Aubrey G.
Nukebert
Sam W.
Aaron Knows DIY
G. Salazar
David B.
Marc B.
Richard B.
Ben. K
Bill Patterson
D. Lundman
Make Things
#MakeThings #mtbitesize
make things,make things with rob,let's make things,just make things,makethigns,makethings
