Choose the jig to suit the work: an adjustable jig is practical for routine furniture legs shorter than 34 inches and about 2¼ inches thick or less; a separate, longer jig is better suited to long posts such as 80-inch bedposts. Extending the smaller jig is possible, but WOOD Magazine notes that a longer version would be cumbersome to use and store.
Prepare the saw and stock before building or cutting
Both designs depend on a reliable reference. Prepare stock with square, jointed and planed faces. Check that the table-saw fence is parallel to the blade and that the blade is square to the saw table. The exact jig dimensions and workflows below are examples from Bob Wilson’s WOOD Magazine article, updated April 17, 2025; adapt them to your saw and workpiece rather than treating them as universal dimensions.
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Before using a table saw, be familiar with its operation. MICROJIG gives that warning in the safety section of its Version 2 manual. Its taper jig also requires a straight workpiece edge to register against the jig fence. Long stock needs stable infeed and outfeed support; do not begin a cut unless the workpiece and jig can travel without tipping or binding.
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| Option | Guide and registration | Best fit described by the source | Trade-off or check |
|---|---|---|---|
| WOOD adjustable shop-built jig | Guided against the rip fence; movable stops and hold-downs register and secure the blank. | Routine furniture legs shorter than 34 inches and up to about 2¼ inches thick. | Lengthening it for much larger work can make it cumbersome to use and store. |
| WOOD long-post shop-built jig | A saddle captures the rip fence; separate brackets guide short and long taper regions. | Long posts, including the article’s 80-inch bedpost example. | Requires support for long stock and more setup than the smaller jig. |
| Rockler Taper/Straight Line Jig | A miter-slot bar guides the jig; an adjustable fence and hold-down clamps secure the work. | A commercial alternative using miter-slot guidance. | Check current instructions and compatibility with your saw; this is a different guide system from a rip-fence jig. See Rockler’s guide. |
| MICROJIG MICRODIAL Tapering Jig | Guided along the rip fence and used with GRR-RIPPER pushblocks as described in the manufacturer manual. | A commercial rip-fence-guided setup. | Requires a straight edge against its fence; consult the MICROJIG Version 2 manual. |
Compare capacity, guide path, clamping and registration, support needs, storage, and whether the setup accommodates the taper pattern you need. The commercial sources describe different systems, not interchangeable versions of the two shop-built jigs.
#1 Best Overall
- Rockler’s Taper & Straight Line Jig: The taper drill jig allows you to make tapered cuts quickly, easily, and accurately at your table saw. With the miter bar removed, this wood working jig also doubles as a stable, straight-line ripping jig.
- Easy To Fit: This straight-line hole jig fits snug in any standard 3/8" x 3/4" miter slot and features a large, ergonomic handle for smooth push-action performance throughout the cut. The guidance booklet in our jig table saw is available so you can make it your very own.
- Multipurpose Drill Jig For Angled Holes: With a simple indexed angle setting system, heavy-duty hold-down clamps, and a smooth sliding design, the table saw jig makes tapered cuts fast, easy, and more precise. Our jig tools are perfect for chair legs, table legs, and more.
- Easy To Setup: In tapering mode, these woodworking tools and accessories are intended for use in the miter slot to the right of the blade. On many saws, your initial cut will remove a narrow piece of the tablesaw jig’s base to create zero-clearance support
- Where To Work? These wood working tools works with table saws on which the left edge of the right miter slot is 3-3/4” to 4-3/8” from the blade or 5” to 5-5/8” from the blade.
Build and use the adjustable jig for furniture legs
Build the slotted base and movable stops
WOOD’s example uses a ¾-inch birch-plywood base with ¼-inch hardboard attached to form slots. Movable hold-downs, stops, and a pivot block let the jig register blanks of different lengths. The base can back up the cut, helping reduce splintering.
Set and clamp the blank
- Mark the taper on the prepared blank.
- Align the taper marks with the jig edge nearest the blade, and place the nontapered end flush with the jig end.
- Position the stops so the blank registers consistently, then clamp it securely with the movable hold-downs.
- Guide the jig against the rip fence for the cut, keeping the work and jig controlled throughout the pass.
Cut adjacent or four-sided tapers
For two adjacent tapered faces, make the first cut, then rotate the blank 90 degrees and register it for the second cut. Four-sided tapers need a different reference because the original square faces disappear after the first cuts. WOOD’s method uses a ¼-inch center hole, ½ inch deep, in the workpiece and aligns the pivot-block screw with that hole to locate the blank for subsequent cuts.
Rank #2
- ASSEMBLY CONTAINS: 36” Miter Bar, Base, Adjustable Fence, Push Knob, Hold Down Clamps, Tape Measure, Abrasive Grip Strips, T-Bolts, Hardware Screws, Washers and Mini Screw Driver
- FUNCTIONS: Primarily serves as a taper cutting jig for table saw – Secondarily operates as a stable straight line ripping jig – Your creativity is the limit
- PREMIUM BUILD: This woodworking taper jig is manufactured with high quality components; The base measures 32” x 7-7/8” ½” with MDF construction and melamine coating on both sides; Features a safe and easy-to-use design, indexing marks for easy angle setting, ergonomic anti-slip push knob, adjustable fence and hold down clamps to prevent shifting stock, abrasive grip strips to help stabilize your workpiece and detailed instructions for all skill levels
- VERSATILE: Perfect for cutting tapered compound angles, straight line table saw ripping, making handmade furniture, and a wide range of applications such as making chair legs, building tables, custom built shelves or base cabinets and more. PLEASE NOTE: It fits tight and securely in any standard 3/8" x 3/4" miter slot.
- PLEASE NOTE: The taper jig is designed to fit full-sized table saws with miter slots measuring ¾” x 3/8” and an inside edge of the right miter slot between 3-3/4” to 4-3/8”, 5” to 5-5/8”, or 6-1/4” to 6-7/8” from the blade. It is compatible with the DWE7491RS but may not fit some job site or bench top saws. Please check your saw's specifications before ordering.
Use the longer jig for posts
Make a fence-capturing body and brackets
For its long-post example, WOOD describes a straightened and planed 2×6 jig body about 16 inches longer than the stock. A saddle captures the saw’s rip fence. Separate brackets guide the short and long taper regions, and a front pivot bracket helps register the work. These are the article’s example dimensions, not a universal recipe: fit the body and saddle to the stock and saw you actually have.
Cut the short tapers first, then the long tapers
Support the stock at both the infeed and outfeed ends for long cuts. The article’s sequence makes the short foot tapers first, creating clearance for the later long cuts. Use the appropriate bracket for each taper region and maintain a stable reference as the cut progresses.
Rank #3
- Dual-Scale Taper Setup: Outfeed and Infeed scales with Imperial, Metric, and Angle Indexing Dots help simplify taper angle setup. Recessed channels help keep the scales securely in place and reduce the risk of lifting or shifting during use
- Adjustable Stop Block for Width Control： The included stop block can be mounted on the fence face or side track; once the taper angle is set, position the stop block against the workpiece to help maintain cutting width and improve repeatability for multiple matching parts
- Secure Stock Holding with Clamps and Grip Strips: 3 adjustable hold-down clamps work with included #100 abrasive grip strips to help hold stock firmly in place and reduce workpiece movement during cutting
- Birch Plywood Base and Aluminum Fence: Built with a 5/8" birch plywood base and rigid aluminum extrusion fence to help reduce flexing, support the workpiece, and maintain stability for taper cuts and straight line ripping
- Adjustable Miter Bar Helps Reduce Side-to-Side Play: The anodized aluminum miter bar includes adjustable expansion washers for a closer fit in standard 3/4" x 3/8" miter slots, helping the jig track more smoothly with less unwanted movement
Restore a flat reference for the final taper
After earlier cuts, the post may no longer rest flat on the jig. For the final long-post taper, WOOD describes taping a cutoff wedge beneath the workpiece to restore a flat reference and reduce spinning and vibration. The wedge is a support for that setup; confirm the assembly remains stable before cutting.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Set the angle carefully and check the setup
Built-in angle scales may be inaccurate. WoodWorkers Guild of America advises that a calibrated miter gauge can serve as a reference when setting a taper jig, while treating that as setup advice rather than a guarantee that every gauge or saw is calibrated. See its guide to setting up a table-saw taper jig.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- PRECISION TAPER CUTS MADE EASY: The MICROJIG GRR-RIPPER TJ5000 tapering jig is designed for use with table saws, router tables, and band saws; It delivers angle accuracy within 1/8 of a degree, making it an essential woodworking tool
- VERSATILE ANGLE ADJUSTMENTS: Achieve perfect set up every time with the color coded MICRODIAL scales; 122 built-in presets create the perfect angle every time from 0-10 degrees of angle or by Rise over Run for tapered table legs
- SAFE AND CONTROLLED OPERATION: Pair with one or two MICROJIG GRR-RIPPER 3D Pushblocks (available separately) for safety and stability, ensuring the Microdial Tapering Jig integrates with your table saw parts setup
- CONSISTENT REPEAT CUTS: Two independent MemoryLocks allow quick angle switching, ideal for creating 2-, 4-, 6-, or 8-sided tapered legs with confidence; Add more detail and create custom profiles on the router table
- MADE IN THE USA: This Microdial Tapering Jig is built for crafting tapered legs for Federal, Mission, Midcentury Modern and contemporary furniture legs; It includes an instructional DVD and manual to guide you through set up and use
Rank #4
- MODERN TWIST ON A CLASSIC TOOL - Woodpeckers Precision Taper Jig offers modern materials, repeatable angles, clamping, and extendable support for perfect cuts up to 48".
- PRECISON ANGLE SETTING - Easily set angles with interlocking teeth for precise, repeatable quarter-degree increments from 0° to 7°, or half-degree from 0° to 15°.
- SAFE & EFFICIENT - Designed for safety and efficiency, this jig has an MDF sled to prevent tear-out and quick-release clamps for secure, easy workpiece handling.
- BUILT TO LAST - The Precision Taper Jig's durable design and build make it a reliable tool you'll be proud to use, built to last for generations.
- AMERICAN MADE QUALITY - Like all Woodpeckers products, the Precision Taper Jig is precisely machined and carefully inspected in our Strongsville, Ohio factory.
- Confirm the blank is registered against the intended stop, pivot, or straight edge before clamping.
- Check that the jig’s guide engages the intended reference: rip fence for the WOOD and MICROJIG examples, miter slot for the Rockler design.
- Make sure long stock has infeed and outfeed support and the jig can move freely along its guide.
- Follow the saw and jig manufacturers’ instructions, and do not use a setup whose workpiece or support can shift during the cut.
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