You can make a shop-built tablesaw taper jig safer and easier to use by adding a 1/8-in.-thick plywood or Masonite shelf to the bottom, and a hold-down clamp and a handle to the top. The shelf-and-hold-down combination holds the workpiece snugly enough to eliminate the balancing act that usually accompanies cutting tapers. The combination also lets you push the jig through as a unit with your hand far away from the blade. I find that the system is especially good for tapering narrow table legs.

Joe Vollas, Fall River, Mass.

Fine Woodworking Magazine, October 1991 No. 90

Fine Woodworking Recommended Products

Estwing Dead-Blow Mallet

A quality dead-blow mallet that packs and punch but isn't too heavy for furniture work.

Buy at Amazon

Blackwing Pencils

If you've listened to Shop Talk Live, you've heard them talk more about these pencils than you could possibly imagine.

Buy at Amazon

Stanley Powerlock 16-ft. tape measure

With its smooth lock, tough case, compact size, and excellent accuracy, this Stanley tape is perfect for workshop use.

Buy at Amazon