I’ve made a few shop-built tapering jigs, but I have to admit I’ve never been completely satisfied with the performance of any of them. Either they were built for a specific task, then discarded or they were just a little too hard to set up and use safely. At the end of the day, I found this taper jig from
Rockler (21597) to be well worth a look. It’s not only well made, but super easy to set up and use.
SETUP. Made from flat, stable MDF and covered with low-friction laminate, the jig slides easily over the surface of any table saw. It also has an adjustable miter bar for an accurate fit in most miter slots. There are two positions for mounting the bar to fit most saw models. If the miter slot on your saw brings the base too close to the blade, you can simply trim the base of the jig to fit. I attached the miter bar to the [jig](https://www.amazon.com/Rockler-ROCKLER-TAPER-JIG/dp/B002MMKMDE?crid=1V47K1QBEVHK7&keywords=rockler+taper+jig+for+table+saw&qid=1685108452&sprefix=rockler+taper+%2Caps%2C152&sr=8-2&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.18ed3cb5-28d5-4975-8bc7-93deae8f9840&linkCode=ll1&tag=aim-ac-20&linkId=3138d5c6ac3d7113ff3ca56ba473c246&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl) and then used it as a guide to create a zero clearance edge on the base of the [jig](https://www.amazon.com/Rockler-ROCKLER-TAPER-JIG/dp/B002MMKMDE?crid=1V47K1QBEVHK7&keywords=rockler+taper+jig+for+table+saw&qid=1685108452&sprefix=rockler+taper+%2Caps%2C152&sr=8-2&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.18ed3cb5-28d5-4975-8bc7-93deae8f9840&linkCode=ll1&tag=aim-ac-20&linkId=3138d5c6ac3d7113ff3ca56ba473c246&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl).
The jig also features a large handle for smooth, easy control throughout the cut. Keeping the workpiece on the jig is a snap with two wide holddowns. They have non-marring rubber caps for a better grip (third photo below). Plus, the jig has three abrasive strips on the base to keep the workpiece from slipping during a cut (second photo from top).
MULTIPLE USES. The [taper jig](https://www.amazon.com/Rockler-ROCKLER-TAPER-JIG/dp/B002MMKMDE?crid=1V47K1QBEVHK7&keywords=rockler+taper+jig+for+table+saw&qid=1685108452&sprefix=rockler+taper+%2Caps%2C152&sr=8-2&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.18ed3cb5-28d5-4975-8bc7-93deae8f9840&linkCode=ll1&tag=aim-ac-20&linkId=3138d5c6ac3d7113ff3ca56ba473c246&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl) is designed to cut tapers on boards up to 6" wide. Or you can remove the miter bar and use it to cut a clean, straight edge on any width rough-sawn board (photo below).
TAPERING. The jig has markings for two ways to taper a board. Small holes on each end of the jig are used as indexing marks (photo below). Each mark represents one degree of taper. To use the indexing marks, set one end of the fence at the widest point in the taper. Then set the other end to the mark for angle of the taper to cut. With the setup complete, clamp the board against the fence and cut the taper.
DIMENSIONED TAPER. If a project has a dimensioned taper, you can use the measuring tape at each end of the jig to get the perfect setup for a leg or other tapered part. Again you set the lead end of the jig to cut the widest part of the taper. Then set the other end at the narrowest part of the taper. Begin the cut at the wide end of the workpiece for a cleaner cut.
STOP. There’s also a stop at the end of the jig to keep shorter workpieces from sliding backward. The stop can also hold a tapered leg firmly. For a four-sided taper, I save the cut offs and use them to prop the workpiece up for subsequent cuts. The cutoffs ensure a consistent taper on all four edges.
STRAIGHT EDGE. To cut a straight edge on rough lumber, I set the taper fence parallel to the saw blade and clamp the board on the base, as shown in the upper photo. For narrow boards, you can leave the miter bar in place and cut the irregular edge off the board. As I mentioned before, if the board you’re cutting is too wide, you can remove the miter bar and use the jig with its edge against your rip fence.
SMALL PIECES. In addition to cutting tapers and trimming edges, this [jig](https://www.amazon.com/Rockler-ROCKLER-TAPER-JIG/dp/B002MMKMDE?crid=1V47K1QBEVHK7&keywords=rockler+taper+jig+for+table+saw&qid=1685108452&sprefix=rockler+taper+%2Caps%2C152&sr=8-2&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.18ed3cb5-28d5-4975-8bc7-93deae8f9840&linkCode=ll1&tag=aim-ac-20&linkId=3138d5c6ac3d7113ff3ca56ba473c246&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl) can also make cutting small workpieces safer, by holding them in place during a cut. To sum things up, this jig is smooth, stable, and easy to use. Whether you’re cutting tapers on a milled workpiece or cutting the edge off a piece of rough lumber, you’ll have a jig that fills the bill. And for under $90, it will work for just about any budget.
