Taper with confidence

You can buy or build more elaborate tapering jigs, but this simple helper will handle most of your tapering chores. It runs against your saw's rip fence, so you needn't mount miter-slot guides on it. To use the jig, measure the width of the sled and set your fence that distance from the blade. Remove the top screw, loosen the pivot screw, rotate the fence to match your desired taper, and then tighten both screws. Butt your workpiece against the dowel with one edge against the jig's fence, and then cut your taper.