Making taper legs with Latta jig

Re: Making taper legs with Latta jig

CharlieL

Is that a Rockwell 9" table saw ?

Re: Making taper legs with Latta jig

Keith Newton

Bill, I’m not following the part about clamping it to the fence. Why not use the miter gauge slots like a normal TS sled?

Picture of fence

Bill Tindall, E.Tn.

There is a terrifying amount of blade exposure when sawing leg tapers. Any means of securing parts seems justified. In the Latta jig the leg and jig are captured against the table saw fence. Short of a fastening failure nothing can move or come loose when sawing. I believe this arrangement is safer than the sled riding in the table saw slot. Steve teaches at a college. I suspect he designed this jig with students in mind.

The disadvantage is that the fence needs to be positioned each time the gig is installed on the table saw fence. However, this is a trivial task.

Delta Unisaw

Re: Making taper legs with Latta jig *PICS*

William Duffield

Using the fixed miter slots significantly limits the thickness of the legs that the jig will accommodate. For most legs, however, the fence is adjusted so the edge of the saw kerf is flush with the left edge of the jig.

Here are some pics of mine, also based on Steve Latta's design. Some details are different, but the basic idea is identical to Bill's. All previous table saw leg tapering jigs made me so uncomfortable I always found a different way to taper legs. I've used a jointer, bandsaw and jointer, bandsaw and bench plane, and bench plane alone. Now I do not hesitate to taper them on the table saw. It's quick, safe, accurate, precise and highly recommended.

The mortises in front of the stop block are to make it adjustable, so you can move it forward to hold short legs. It's curious why I added them, since I don't do coffee tables. I also don't remember why I made the tote position adjustable.

Re: Making taper legs with Latta jig

William Duffield

Also, if you change your table saw, or it you are using the jig in a classroom with multiple table saws with different miter slot specs, the jig will work on all of them without adjustments.

Re: Making taper legs with Latta jig

John Jardin

I too have built the Steve Latta Tapering jig. Bill and William are right that this jig will yield perfect tapers, safely and accurately. I added some other features to increase its versatility.

and they are?

Bill Tindall, E.Tn.

"I added some other features to increase its versatility."

will you describe for us?

Re: and they are?

John Jardin

Bill'

I have a response to your post however I have been unable to upload photos per the directions in FAQs regarding " How do I upload photos with my messages"

Re: and they are?

Bill Tindall, E.Tn.

When you do a new post or reply your header needs to look like what you see in the picture. It means you are registered on WoodCentral. then click "Browse" and choose a picture sized to less than 90 kb

I don't know where in this process you failed so I don't know what to tell you to fix.

John sent me some pics

Ellis Walentine

I'll try to get them up into an article format shortly. Some amazing work there.

Meanwhile, John, do try to get a handle on picture posting. I'm sorry our software is so Byzantine.

Ellis

Re: Lalla Taper Jig + Add-on

John Jardin

Further to my reply:

I too have built the Steve Latta Tapering jig. Bill and William are right that this jig will yield perfect tapers, safely and accurately. I added some other features to increase its versatility.

I built 2 Macore tables designed after a similar table in FWW Design Book #7.

The legs are constructed from maple, wenge and veneer.

The maple blank is rabbited to accept 4 wedge corners, then glued, then tapered, then veneered.

The final cut exposing the wenge is done on the Latta jig with a cradle to accept the leg at 45 degrees.

John Jardin

Re: Lalla Taper Jig + Add-on

Joanne in Point Pleasant, PA

I like the 5 legged table on the left. Is it for a golfer? It's got a 'dogleg left'.