Apology

Hello everyone.

I'd like to apologize for the Infrequent Post of the Woodworking Tip of The Week. I have been experiencing some Computer Problems on my Laptop, which I have just worked out earlier this week.

I had to reformat my Hard Drive and Reinstall Windows Vista and all the Programs on my computer, I was experiencing Lock ups, Internet Delays and some other things, I've tried just about everything to fix them with some programs tried fixing with the Restore disk to fix errors but nothing.

So I had to Result back to about a 4 hr process with formatting, copying and installing. Quite a process, but had to be done.

Anyway, I should have the Tips on time every Tuesday now that my computer is back up and running right again.

Thanks,
Handi

Woodworking Tip of The Week - Adjustable Taper Jig

I recently needed to cut some tapered pieces for a project and didn’t want to invest in a manufactured jig. So I built the simple jig you see in the photo below.

It doesn’t take much material to build the jig. You probably have just about everything you’ll need lying around your shop.
Best of all, it’s accurate and can accommodate a wide variety of workpiece sizes. It also works great for ripping a straight edge on rough lumber.
The base of the jig is a piece of ¾″ plywood with three long slots used to attach an adjustable fence. Each slot is recessed on the bottom so the head of a carriage bolt sits out of the way (see detail A).
An adjustable ½″ plywood fence sits on top of the base. It has slots to match the slots in the base for adjusting the angle of the taper. And four holes in the fence accept ¼″ carriage bolts for the hold-downs.

I made the four hold-downs from 1″-thick hardwood (see detail B). A slot at the top allows you to quickly position and then tighten them down with a wing nut.
To use the taper jig, adjust the fence to the desired taper and lock it in place. Then swing the hold-downs over the workpiece and tighten the wing nuts. Finally, set the rip fence of the table saw so the blade lines up with the edge of the jig. Then simply push the sled along the fence. That’s all it takes to cut perfect tapers everytime.

Woodworking Tip of The Week - Outfeed Roller

Ripping long boards or panels on the table saw can be difficultwhen you're working alone. You usually need to find a friend to help you to get the job done safely. A good outfeed support can solve this problem. And you don't need to spend a lot to meet your needs.

The outfeed roller shown in the photo is simple and inexpensive to build. And, as you can see in the drawing, all it takes is some scrap lumber, a short length of PVC pipe, a dowel, and a few screws.

The roller is designed to be clamped firmly to a solid support, like the sawhorse shown in the photo. This way, once it's set up, the outfeed roller stays in securely place, and you won't need to worry about it falling over or shifting out of position.

Have a nice weekend,

Phil Huber
Editor, ShopNotes