My favorite project for new woodworking students is a Virginia side table because it introduces them to most of the tools they are likely to encounter in a shop. The table has legs with two-sided tapers. I never felt it was safe to have the students cut the tapers on the tablesaw, so I set out to find a better way. I came up with a simple carriage that goes through the thickness planer with one end of the leg elevated.

For the carriage, I used a 3/4-in.-thick MDF base a couple of inches longer and wider than the table leg. (You could make it wide enough to hold multiple legs.) I screwed a block at one end to elevate the bottom of the table leg by the amount of taper desired. To complete the carriage, I fastened pieces of wood to the sides of the MDF base.

To use the fixture, I simply drop in a table leg and send it through the planer. Orient the leg so you’re planing “downhill,” and take multiple passes to reach full depth. Then give the leg a quarter turn and plane it again. To save wear and tear on the planer, it’s a good idea to rough out the taper on the bandsaw. It might take a few minutes more than using a tablesaw, but it is absolutely safe and, as a bonus, there are no saw marks to sand off.

Drawings: Jim Richey

Fine Woodworking Recommended Products

Woodriver Circle Cutting Jig

The WoodRiver circle jig, which produces cuts up to 32-1/2 in. dia., and I can confidently recommend it. Unlike similar jigs that can pop off of their pivots mid-cut, ruining a panel in the process, this one has a robust pivot point that registers securely in the jig and workpiece.

Buy at Amazon

Hedgehog featherboards

The Hedgehog's unique spiral shape and single knob make it easy to set up and fast to adjust.

Buy at Amazon

MicroJig Matchfit dovetail clamps

These unique clamps have angled tips that hold templates and fences in place without getting in the way.

Buy at Amazon