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How to Cut a Taper on a Table Saw?

How to Cut a Taper on a Table Saw

For those who are in the construction industry, a table saw is a familiar tool that you usually use. This tool is vital in cutting and forming the shape that you need to achieve a great result.

A table saw is essential in cutting boards, creating crown molding. It is available in different sizes and models. In cutting a taper, you need to have the best table saw.

If you are not familiar with how to cut a taper on a table saw, this guide can help you. But before we proceed on the steps on how to use a table saw, you should know the different cuts a table saw can do.

The Different Cuts a Table Saw Can Do

You are using a table saw to cut wood and form a certain shape out of it. In the past, it is done manually. But when the table saw was invented, cutting a taper has made it easy. Here are some of the cuts you can do using the table saw.

Ξ Straight Cuts

The main function of a table saw is to create straight cuts on the board. The table blade can cut boards and do cross cuts in various sizes of boards.

Cutting involves other activities as it does a long straight cut with the grain of any wood. You do this if you need to trim a piece of wood to fit a particular size.

Ξ Angle Cuts

A table saw can adjust the angle of the wood you need to cut. For instance, you can adjust the angle of a table saw blade to 450 as you cut the wood on a 2 x 2. For mitered cuts, you need to have some skills in doing it. This is just a box or a sled.

Ξ Joints

When working on the side of the joints, you need some help to complete the job perfectly. A table saw can cut the pieces you need for joining two pieces of boards to produce a certain angle.

What do You need?

You don’t just do the job without completing the things you might be needing during the cutting process. Below is a list of tools and gears you should have on hand before you start with the project.

  • A clamp
  • A piece of plywood
  • A saw
  • Blade
  • Mount block
  • Pencil
  • Power source
  • Rockler taper jig
  • Screw
  • Tape
How to Cut a Taper on a Table Saw

Steps on How to Cut a Taper on a Table Saw?


Step #1 Creating the Table Saw Jig

To make the table saw taper jig you need some debarred aluminum rails and has a pliable work-piece stop. A protective tall handle will ward off your hands from the cutting edge.

It should have a simple to measure point to make setting the right taper edge easy. The measurement is from 0 degrees to 15 degrees or from 0 inches to 3 inches per foot of run in ¼ inches.

The bent bolting part makes sure that the edge you will get is the point that you set. To make the setting process smooth, it should have a couple of wing nuts for bolting.

Step #2 Check the Blade

One of the vital things you need to successfully cut a taper is a reliable blade. For tapers, you need a thin-kerf cutting blade. Tapers are mostly a tear project. The Thin-Kerf and tooth magnitude are a good combination for easy and clean cuts.

Creating a taper does not have to be difficult as long as you have the right tools. If you have the best table saw taper jig and good-quality blades, you can make accurate taper cuts.

Step #3 Install the Blade Protector

Install the blade protector that is included when you buy the saw. Adjust the height of the blade in a way that even with the wood edge obstruction, you are cutting the saw blade base.

The usual tool with each table saw is the blade guard system that has pawl and splitter to prevent kick-back. It is important that your cutting tool has this protective equipment on your saw and it should be in good working condition.

The rubber shield will keep the knife away from your hands and repels any flying pieces. To prevent the deck from pinching the knife it has a splitter stops. The kickback pawl protective has small teeth that catch the board.

It also prevents you from hurting you in case the knife pinches or connects while slicing. The protective also lessens the kickback risk.

Step #4 Use Push Stick

In tearing a 6 board wider and broader, close your finger at the board’s back and hold on to the fence using your little finger. Focus on keeping the board edge secured with the fence as you move it slowly and steadily into the knife.

Then move the board over. Next, kick back the pawl entirely. Turn off the saw so that the cutoff or ripped part can catch the saw and slowly move aside just in case it kicks-back out of the blade.

Make push sticks using plywood and not lumber as it breaks easily and falls apart as you cut. The safest way to secure a thin board past the blade is to keep the sticks and boots moving. Keep the push shoe or stick close every time you use the saw.

How to Cut a Taper on a Table Saw
Image Caption : flickr

Step #5 Layout the Cut on the Completed Part

Using a straightedge and pencil, spread out on the plain the tapered cut as well as the kerf. Draw a line to mark the two sides of the opening that the blade will create.

Step #6 Attach a Guide Board to the Blank/Plain

Use a board or a piece of pressed wood as a guide board. Make sure it is wide enough to cover the safe and is long enough to reach a couple of inches past the two ends.

With the kerf line, adjust the guide board and attach it to the waste using some screws or pins from the air nailer.

Step #7 Setting the Fence

To set the fence, you need to flick the board from one end to another. The fence should be position along with the guide board.

Step #8 Cut the Parts

Pull the guide board back, turn on the saw, and cut the part. The part you cut off will drop on the table. Besides the two pinholes, the waste is recyclable.

Final Thoughts

After reading this how to cut a taper on a table saw guide, you will discover that it is not hard at all. You just need to follow the required steps and you will be able to complete it fast and accurately. Be careful about using the saw and keep yourself protected from accidents or from getting hurt.

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