Thread: dining table legs advice

A 12" table saw will make quick work of it, or on a bandsaw to cut the shape then use the buzzer/handplane to clean them up.

Eezy peezy.

Plunger,
I'm being a bit pedantic, but the term 'splay' usually means the axis of the legs is splayed out (i.e. not 90 deg to the rails). You do that by cutting the appropriate tenon shoulders on your rails (skirt). From the diagram, you are talking about taper. Inside-only tapers look fine for some purposes, it does make the legs look a bit splayed. A full, or 4-sided taper might suit the design you have drawn better. If you make a jig for the tablesaw, which is pretty easy, you have to remember to make it adjustable, or make 2, otherwise when you flip to cut the matching opposite taper, the jig no longer works. For 4 legs, I'd go with Harry's 2nd suggestion - mark out, bandsaw and clean up - you'll be finished before you get the jig made for either half or full tapers.

Cheers,

From the look of the Drawing,
all that is being done is that some of the Inside Corner is being removed.
More so at the bottom,
and tapering off towards the Top.

Originally Posted by Ivan in Oz

From the look of the Drawing,
all that is being done is that some of the Inside Corner is being removed.
More so at the bottom,
and tapering off towards the Top.

You're dead right Ivan - didn't blow the thumbnail up, so missed the detail! Now I understand why you wanted to set the jointer fence to 45 deg! You could certainly do it that way, but you are going to have a hard time getting each corner the same, since you'll be essentially free-handing the cut.

A jig for tablesaw or bandsaw will still work, but it will need a vee bed to hold the leg at the right profile.

Have seen a few old tables with that style, and I think that sort of taper looks best if done to all 4 sides on a full-sized piece.

Cheers,

Thanks guys

Yes I was only going to taper the inside corners (didn't explain very well).

Unfortunately I don't have a bandsaw and only have a Triton tablesaw, so I think the jointer is my only choice. If I use the method described in the picture below with the fence at 45 deg, do you think I could do the job with equal tapers on all 4 legs? and would it be safe holding the face against the fence

Garry

plunger,

Why not use a router and a jig. This picture will give you the idea.

Raise one end to the desired angle and secure it 45 degree to the base and. (you know what I am talking about right? )

Use a stright bit to cut away the waste.

When it is finished, clean it up on a hand planer or a jointer

You will get a consistent cut on all 4 legs. I always use this method to taper my table legs. I fint it a lot easier that way.

I hope it helps.

and here is the result

I like Wongo's method. You'll have to make a cradle or notched piece to hold the legs firmly at the desired height & angle while you go at it, but easier to get accurate & much safer than fiddling around over an ungaurded jointer cutter. (Unless you can figure out a way of keeping the gaurd on to do that, which I can't).

And Plunger, if you don't have a router, well, here's just the reason you were waiting for to go out & get a decent machine, right now!

Cheers,

What kind of a woodworker would not have a router (or 2, or 3, or 4, or 5, or 6)

Thanks Wongo, great idea. I'll give it a go

Ivan - yes I've got the router but it does mean I have to make yet another jig!!!!

Cheers guys

Originally Posted by plunger

but it does mean I have to make yet another jig!!!!

Oh c'mon tiger.

Originally Posted by Wongo

What kind of a woodworker would not have a router (or 2, or 3, or 4, or 5, or 6)

Well, 2 (of my 4) were VERY inexpensive........

Originally Posted by Wongo

What kind of a woodworker would not have a router (or 2, or 3, or 4, or 5, or 6)

Indeed that is so!
Acquired my 4th yesterday. Won in a club raffle. The very best kind _ Freebie!!