Taper Sled

[Drawdoow]

Way back in 2009, when I worked for a living, I made two of these Mariner Lamps.  All the pieces are tapered to give it the right look.  Being in a hurry I didn't think I had time to make a taper sled, so the tapers were cut on bandsaw and cleaned up on jointer. Would have been faster to make a taper sled.

Now I got asked to make another Mariner lamp. Being retired I have more time to stop and think of what new tools or jigs would help me do a project faster/better/safer.  So searched around of a taper sled and found some good ideas but no sled that had everything I wanted. One important thing, for SawStop users, is no metal clamps anywhere near the blade - I have made that mistake once already.  The tapered pieces for the Mariner lamp are quite thin so toggle clamps as used on most taper sleds, are excluded.  Here is the sled design I came up with, and it is working well.  https://youtu.be/ZPvOOIRFEQc

 

 

[Beechwood Chip]

That's a nice sled!

I took a piece of MDF with two parallel edges and cut several MatchFit grooves in it.  I run it against the fence.  I use MatchFit clamps to hold stuff, and can add more grooves as needed. 

I like your idea of using batons with a central clamp and a spacer on the other side, to keep the metal clamps away from the cutting edge.  I'll keep that in mind.

Thanks!

[wtnhighlander]

Not just a cool sled, but a cool lamp, too!

[BillyJack]

I don’t understand from the picture that it supports the piece to be cut. Looks flimsy..

[Drawdoow]

On 7/25/2024 at 12:40 PM, BillyJack said:

I don’t understand from the picture that it supports the piece to be cut. Looks flimsy..

I have used the sled on a few projects with different size pieces and feels secure.   Maybe the video explains better than the picture https://youtu.be/ZPvOOIRFEQc

[BillyJack]

I don’t watch the videos, I’m looking at the picture you posted..

[Tpt life]

13 hours ago, BillyJack said:

I don’t watch the videos, I’m looking at the picture you posted..

The picture is a screen grab from the video. He grabs and shakes on the live after clamping it down to demonstrate it is secure. That happens in less than three minutes into the video. He’s not pushing views, he’s trying answer your challenge. 

[BillyJack]

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[BillyJack]

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[Tpt life]

Something is broken on this thread. Two posts are a string of dots. I can see every relevant detail from the image on this page. 

[JohnG]

It’s not the first time this issue has occurred, maybe a corrupted user account?

[BillyJack]

No. I just chose not to respond. Sometimes better not to say something..

[Coop]

Splendid idea. 

[BillyJack]

Too many of the same jigs on YouTube..