How to Create a Square Tapered Leg on the Table Saw

Making wooden legs for a table takes planning and special design. It requires specific tools, such as taper jig for a table saw. Using a table saw is not always the first choice when cutting tapered legs, but the stability of the table saw lends to a more straight cut with less chance of having notches or chipped cuts.

Safety glasses
2-by-2-inch board
Taper jig

Instructions

- 1
  Set a taper jig to a 15-degree taper, using the sliding compass bar on the taper jig.
- 2
  Place the taper jig along the fence of the table saw with the open end of the jig toward you.
- 3
  Adjust the fence of the table saw until the closed end of the jig is 2 inches from the table saw blade.
- 4
  Set a 2-by-2-inch board along the edge of the taper jig with one end of the board flush with the closed end of the taper jig.
- 5
  Turn on the table saw by flipping the power switch on the front of the machine.
- 6
  Push the jig and board toward the turning blade by using the table's push bar. The push bar may be a thick stick or a metal bar attached to the table at the edge closest to you, depending upon the model and age of the table saw.
- 7
  Turn off the table saw once the jig and board have completely passed the table saw blade.
- 8
  Return the jig, leg and push bar to the starting position on the table saw.
- 9
  Turn the board a quarter turn so the cut edge is facing up. Cut the board again on the remaining three sides.
- 10
  Sand the cut board, which is now a tapered table leg, to remove any small splinters.

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