# What is the best way to taper an Oak 2"x2" into a table leg? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 30, 2011, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-way-to-taper-an-oak-2-x2-into-a-table-leg/601277 "2011-10-30T13:20:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2011, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-way-to-taper-an-oak-2-x2-into-a-table-leg/601277/1 "2011-10-30T13:20:09Z")
I need to make 4 fairly identical legs to replace legs chewed on by a pair of dogs. We are well past the young dog chewing stage now and I wanted to rescue the coffee table. I was planning on replacing the tapered legs with just 2"x2" square legs but my wife would prefer the taper. I should be able to do this, I was thinking a very fine tooth blade for the Band Saw at high speed might be best but was hoping for some input for those with more experience. The legs are 16" long and the taper is 2 sides for about a 12" length. I have available for use the following options: 12" Band Saw Radial Arm saw Chop Saw Scroll Saw Jig Saw Circular saws Draw Knives Belt Sander Palm Sanders Planes ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2011, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-way-to-taper-an-oak-2-x2-into-a-table-leg/601277/2 "2011-10-30T13:29:41Z")
band saw is the best for speed, control and safety. Scroll saw and jig saw also have good control and safety though you would need to go very slow. a circular table saw would work with a tapering jig and a push stick. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2011, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-way-to-taper-an-oak-2-x2-into-a-table-leg/601277/3 "2011-10-30T13:31:10Z")
> [@johnpost](#): > > band saw is the best for speed, control and safety. Scroll saw and jig saw also have good control and safety though you would need to go very slow. a circular table saw would work with a tapering jig and a push stick. Am I correct about very fine tooth blade and highest motor speed? ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2011, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-way-to-taper-an-oak-2-x2-into-a-table-leg/601277/4 "2011-10-30T13:32:32Z")
I would have to play with it, but I think the radial arm saw would do the job. Attach a wedge to the table that holds the leg at the correct angle. Then make you first cut turn the leg 90 degrees and make your 2nd cut. Repeat on the other legs. Resetup and cut the last two sides. IANA woodworker so I could be all wet here. ---
**Author:** ![boytyperanma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4491bb/32.png) [@boytyperanma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boytyperanma)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2011, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-way-to-taper-an-oak-2-x2-into-a-table-leg/601277/5 "2011-10-30T13:39:09Z")
Tapers are normally done with a table saw. Given your options I’d go for the band saw. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2011, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-way-to-taper-an-oak-2-x2-into-a-table-leg/601277/6 "2011-10-30T14:09:27Z")
> [@johnpost](#): > > band saw is the best for speed, control and safety. Scroll saw and jig saw also have good control and safety though you would need to go very slow. a circular table saw would work with a tapering jig and a push stick. > [@What\_Exit](#): > > Am I correct about very fine tooth blade and highest motor speed? a fine tool and high speed would be best, along with a fence and taper jig and a push stick. band saw would need the power to cut 2" stock. i’m not an experienced woodworker. ---
**Author:** ![boytyperanma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4491bb/32.png) [@boytyperanma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boytyperanma)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2011, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-way-to-taper-an-oak-2-x2-into-a-table-leg/601277/7 "2011-10-30T14:27:54Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > Am I correct about very fine tooth blade and highest motor speed? A fine blade is not necessary as what you’re doing is mostly a rip cut. I’d make your decision more on the width of the blade. A wider blade with give you a better cut. ---
**Author:** ![Arnold\_Winkelried](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Arnold\_Winkelried](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arnold_Winkelried)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2011, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-way-to-taper-an-oak-2-x2-into-a-table-leg/601277/8 "2011-10-30T16:49:12Z")
Bow lathe? [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/wnv0DAR_gWA/hqdefault.jpg "Moroccan Bow Lathe") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnv0DAR_gWA) ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2011, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-way-to-taper-an-oak-2-x2-into-a-table-leg/601277/9 "2011-10-30T17:13:23Z")
You need a tapering jig for your saw. Norm on New Yankee Workshop had a homemade jig. It’s just two pieces of square stock and a hinge. or you can buy one for $20. You can set your degree of taper. Then make 4 matching legs. > **[Precision Taper Jig - Taper Jig For Table Saw - Amazon.com](https://www.amazon.com/Rockler-Precision-Taper-Jig/dp/B005ELXHXC)** > > A scaled cutting jig on a table saw to cut accurate tapers.Makes taper cutting easy and accurate. Cut tapers up to 3'' per foot/15 slope. Graduated metal scale makes it easy to cut tapers at desired angles. Easy to use and easy to adjust. Offers... this one has a picture showing how it’s used on a table saw. > **[WoodRiver Taper Jig, Aluminum Guide Bars and Push Handle - Tapered Leg Jig -...](https://www.amazon.com/WOODRIVER-Taper-Jig/dp/B0035Y25LU)** > > WoodRiver Taper Jig, Aluminum Guide Bars and Push Handle - Tapered Leg Jig - Amazon.com ---
**Author:** ![FluffyBob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecb155/32.png) [@FluffyBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FluffyBob)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2011, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-way-to-taper-an-oak-2-x2-into-a-table-leg/601277/10 "2011-10-30T17:46:41Z")
I wouldn’t think a band saw would be a very good tool for the job, unless you have a good jig set up to allow a smooth, linear cut. Band saws are for curves. Table saw and tapering jig(s). Once the jig is made it should go pretty quick. Surely with all that selection of tools there is a table saw? If not I guess the radial arm saw and a fence and clamp. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2011, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-way-to-taper-an-oak-2-x2-into-a-table-leg/601277/11 "2011-10-30T18:07:10Z")
One alternative is to just buy ready-made table legs. I just checked Lowes and Home Depot’s websites and both sell table legs in various lengths and styles for under ten bucks each. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2011, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-way-to-taper-an-oak-2-x2-into-a-table-leg/601277/12 "2011-10-30T18:18:39Z")
> [@boytyperanma](#): > > Tapers are normally done with a table saw. Given your options I’d go for the band saw. Unless the radial-arm can be pulled out and set to a 90-degree cut. Some can, making it sort of an upside-down table saw. Then, set up the stock on a wedge and slide it along the fence to get a straight cut. The belt sander will finish the job well, as will the plane for a traditionalist. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2011, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-way-to-taper-an-oak-2-x2-into-a-table-leg/601277/13 "2011-10-30T19:01:29Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > One alternative is to just buy ready-made table legs. I just checked Lowes and Home Depot’s websites and both sell table legs in various lengths and styles for under ten bucks each. Neither had the legs I wanted. Besides I already have the oak stock. I will rig a jig for my band saw with a fresh wide blade. Finishing will be belt and palm sanders of course. ---
**Author:** ![boytyperanma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4491bb/32.png) [@boytyperanma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boytyperanma)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2011, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-way-to-taper-an-oak-2-x2-into-a-table-leg/601277/14 "2011-10-30T19:20:33Z")
> [@FluffyBob](#): > > Band saws are for curves. If you only have one saw in your arsenal the band saw is the best tool you can get. With a good selection of blades you can make any type of cut necessary. Those tape jigs are nice if you are changing up angles for one time projects, I guess. At the furniture shop I worked at, they went the high tech expensive route. They had a jig for each taper they needed that consisted of a block of wood glued to a long piece of wood. ---
**Author:** ![Dereknocue67](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/6de8d8/32.png) [@Dereknocue67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dereknocue67)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2011, 8:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-way-to-taper-an-oak-2-x2-into-a-table-leg/601277/15 "2011-10-31T08:49:41Z")
I would use the bandsaw and cut the taper to about 1/16" from the layout taper line. The type of blade and speed is not critical because you will clean the cuts with a handplane before final sanding. ---
**Author:** ![md2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/73ab20/32.png) [@md2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/md2000)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2011, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-way-to-taper-an-oak-2-x2-into-a-table-leg/601277/16 "2011-10-31T16:01:27Z")
Of course, once you cut the taper on one side and flip it 180 deg., then the angle will not be the same - you are pushing a tapered edge against the side of the jig, not a square edge. adjust accordingly. “I’ve cut the darned thing 3 times and it’s still too small…” ---
**Author:** ![FordPrefect](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e99b99/32.png) [@FordPrefect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FordPrefect)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2011, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-way-to-taper-an-oak-2-x2-into-a-table-leg/601277/17 "2011-10-31T16:43:33Z")
> [@Dereknocue67](#): > > I would use the bandsaw and cut the taper to about 1/16" from the layout taper line. The type of blade and speed is not critical because you will clean the cuts with a handplane before final sanding. Given your tool list, this is your best option. I typically cut my tapers on the tablesaw, but I have cut them with a handsaw, bandsaw, even hacked one out with a scrub plane but always cleaned up with hand planes. First a jack to get close to the line, flat with a jointer followed by the smoother after the joinery is cut. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2011, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-way-to-taper-an-oak-2-x2-into-a-table-leg/601277/18 "2011-11-02T02:33:23Z")
First leg tapered successfully after a new blade and a band saw overhaul. Adjusted and checked right angles on everything. I do the next three legs tomorrow I hope. Thanks All.