Woodworking 101: Tapering Jig Design (Left or Right?)

Sonntag, 18. Dezember 2011

Tapering Jig Design (Left or Right?)

I had an occasion to cut a taper in the shop this afternoon and wondered why it really felt akward. Many of the tapering jigs seem backwards to me.

or

In cutting my taper, my left forearm would be just above the blade if I had not stepped to the right of the fence.

RIGHT SIDE

If I don’t reach across the blade, then the whole onus for holding the workpiece in place falls on the jig itself. Many don’t hold the piece. They rely on the operator to hold it in position during the cut. These are the specific jigs I’m talking about here.

Would it not be easier(read: safer) to have the handle on the left of the tapering jig with the cleat on the right? Set the fence to the LEFT of the blade and do the taper this way?

LEFT SIDE