I’m installing a cabinet panel onto a dishwasher. The sides of the panel (picture attached) are perfectly parrallel. Unfortunately, the cabinets to either side are not perfectly parrallel. The top fits, but the bottom of the panel is about 3/32″ too wide. As a result, I need to plane a slight taper in the panel. In the interest of avoiding scratching the panel, I think I’d like to do this on the jointer. I was thinking I could tape something to one end of the panel to raise it up, then just pass it through, but I don’t know what would happen when I got to the end. Any ideas on how to get this taper cut?
Replies
quickstep,
A hand plane seem s alot simpler with less chance for catastophe.
Tim
Quickstep
Just set your jointer to the depth of cut of the amount of taper (3/32"). Set the panel on the jointer with what will be the wide end just resting on the outfeed table by maybe 1/4". Hold the panel firmly in place, turn the jointer on, and feed the panel through. Taper is done cleanly in one cut. You can turn the jointer on before setting the panel down on the outfeed table but use the first method untill you are comfortable with the process.
Rich
The Professional Termite
I would definitely use a handplane. You can just creep up on the right amount of taper.
So far you have three opinions.. one jointer, two hand plane.
I would use your jointer. Faster, cleaner, no tear out.
And I'd do it just like it was described earlier. Light cut.. lower it on where you want the taper to begin.. and run it through.
I don't see any chance for catastrophe as long as the cut is light and the panel is kept tight against the fence all the way through.
I use this method for table legs and it works like a charm.
What I'd do is get a perfectly straight straight edge and use my router. I'd take a little off each side, rather than taper one side the full amount. I'd also not take the full amount off with the router. I'd make it close, and then use hand tools to finish up. I just think this would be a tad faster than using hand planes for everything.
John
John,
set up a router to take off 3/32" ? I think you could have it taken off with a plane before you got the router out of the box .
Tim
To each his own. For a long "taper", which is NOT 3/32" everywhere, I think the router would be quicker and more foolproof. But that's just my opinion.
John
As usual, six heads are better than one. Your suggestions sparked a thought for me. I figured out the taper and drew a line on the door. I snuck up on the line with a hand plane, then finished it off on the jointer. Got a nice clean straight line just where I needed it. Thanks for the ideas!
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