Taper Jig L or R Hand Hinge

[Buck Turgidson]

I found some curved hinges on Rockler for a tapering jig. But I am not sure if I need the L or R-hand hinge - or maybe it doesn't matter.

Does anyone know if it matters, and which is the correct one?

Thanks.

[Swingman]

You provide no link, IME, it does matter with these hinges, depending which side of the blade you cut your tapers/mount your table saw jigs.

That said, after trying what I think your talking about, I finally came upon a taper jig that is easy to make and a lot more user friendly than those hinges:

on down to "taper jig" ... if you need more information, just holler. I think a couple of folks around here use the same principle on their jigs and may be able to give additional input.

[Ferd Farkel]

Piece of scrap 1/2 BC ply, approx 1 ft x 2 ft. 3/4" rail glued to the bottom. Tack a fence and stop block to the topside to hold a workpiece at whatever desired angle and width. Simple, cheap.

Restricted to tapers in sheet material that don't require holddowns. Those are easily made from hardwood cutoffs and blocks.

[Buck Turgidson]

Thanks, that's a nice jig. Probably more than what I need. I don't even have a use for a jig right now, just kind of "between jobs" so to speak, so I thought I'd make one.

I think I figured out by comparing grainly online photos that I need the right-hand hinges.

[Jane & David]

Swingman,

Your jig sure looks safer than the typical commercial hinged aluminum jig or its home-brew copy. Granted, the blade should force the work against the peg on those jigs so it stays in place, but it just doesn't look secure. The older I get the more I appreciate having my work held in place so I can keep my precious fingers away from trouble.

PDX David

[Swingman]

"Jane & David"

Oh Man ... you hit the nail on the head!!

That is what I _absolutely_ hated about those $19.95 aluminum jobbies. I used to build a lot of tables, and it seems that they all had tapered legs.

Every time I used one of those aluminum wonders I had to work up the nerve between each leg, on a four legged table, just to do the next one.

When I got through with that last leg the relief was palpable. It was all smiles, rainbows, and sunshine ... until the next time.

This jig is a sled (runner in the miter gage slot), and just _feels_ so much safer that it is worth a thousand times more in peace of mind than the little bit of time it took to make it.

Highly recommended!