I need an 82″ shim –1/2″ thick at one end, tapering to 1/8″ at the other. Any suggestions on how to get the taper other than lots of hand planing?
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Replies
Is the shim narrow enough that you could cut it by standing it on edge and running it through the table saw with a tapering jig? Of course, you'd want to cut the shim from a much larger block so you can handle it safely.
The other option would be to use a planer sled.
Chris @ www.flairwoodwork.spaces.live.com
and now www.flairwoodworks.com)
- Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. - Albert Schweitzer
I neglected to say its 1 " wide. Thanks for your comment.
I think the technique to use would depend on what you're going to use it for. I just last weekend had to do something similar: I replaced the flooring in my office, and the existing slab was severely sloped, so I installed a new subfloor on top of tapered 2x4s. In my case, precision was not an issue, so I just drew a cut line, band-sawed the approximate taper, and then ran the edge over my jointer.
In your case, I think you'd want to make it oversize first (say, 2" tapering to 1-5/8"), and then do a straight rip to remove the excess. It will be a lot easier to handle while you're making the taper that way.
-Steve
I'll give your method a try. ty
I would mark the taper on both sides, then use a power-plane to bring it down to the scribed lines.
The suggestion to start with a thick piece, then trim to size after tapering it is good.
Frosty
"I sometimes think we consider the good fortune of the early bird and overlook the bad fortune of the early worm." FDR - 1922
If you take a straight piece of stock the length of your tapered wedge and lay out the taper on it, then cut the taper as nicely as you can. take the tapered piece and tack it onto the side of another piece of stock. Then run the two pieces tacked together through the table saw with the first taper against the fence. You will cut a duplicate of the taper off the new piece. save the first taper for a pattern and continue to use it to cut all the tapers you want. You can also rip the now tapered stock parallel, gaining another taper. now use the pattern to rip another taper. Good luck this is easier than it sounds.
Circular saw and an 8' shooting board - 2 minute job. Done all the time in trimwork.
Mike Hennessy
Pittsburgh, PA
Everything fits, until you put glue on it.
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