Replies

1. 
   Elcoholic | Dec 09, 2002 11:45pm | #1

   I think it's to counter deflection.

   John O'Connell - JKO Handcrafted Woodworking

   Life is tough.  It's tougher if you're stupid - John Wayne

2. 
   Alan | Dec 10, 2002 03:01am | #2

   Bill,

   It's so when you clamp your stock in the vise the top of the vise contacts the wood first, and as you tighten it down the guides will move just a bit so the rest of the vise face will contact the stock.  This ensures the work-piece will be held tightly with the entire vise face in contact with it.  It's especially good to have a little more clamping force at the top of the vise than at the bottom; the stock is less likely to move as you do whatever operation to the bit above the vise.

   Alan 

3. 
   kennedy136 | Dec 10, 2002 06:18am | #3

   Bill,

           Other posts have explained why you taper so I won't go into that.  However my experience is that 1 degree is not enough.  I would go with at least 4 degrees.

                                                                        Mark