Al B Posted September 20, 2020 Report Share Posted September 20, 2020 (edited) Years ago I built a windmill with an octagon tapered base. Today I decided to build a birdbath base using the same basic design as the windmill and guess what. I've forgotten how to do it "senior moment I guess". I do have my homemade taper jig. I cut rectangular pieces to the to the height desired and cut the tapir an one side. Haven't been able to figure how to cut the matching tapir on the opposite side. HELP PLEASE ! Thank You . A beveled tapir would even be better, just saying. The basic size I'm thinking is an octagon approximately 24" high 12" across the flats at the base and 6"across the flats at the top. Edited September 20, 2020 by Al B FlGatorwood and Cal 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Morris Posted September 20, 2020 Report Share Posted September 20, 2020 Hey Al, perhaps these may help, not sure but give it a try? Cal and FlGatorwood 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al B Posted September 20, 2020 Author Report Share Posted September 20, 2020 Thanks John, I'd have to make the jig if I want to bevel and tapir. Somehow, logic tells me that for square cuts, all I have to do is move my fence and tapir jig to the opposite side of the blade using the same setting. I Haven't gotten back to the shop to check this out. I'm thinking square cuts covered with molding strips should look ok for a bird bath base. I'm using 3/8" plywood. Cal and Gunny 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Morris Posted September 20, 2020 Report Share Posted September 20, 2020 Hey Al, thinking out of the box here, I am thinking plywood may have a rough time outside, maybe. You I am sure probably have a plan for protecting the ply from sprinklers, rain, etc. But I was wondering, what about a solid wood log base? Here are a couple ideas, not sure what the motif of your garden is, perhaps a log may not work, but it would last a loooong time! You could also take a log and shave it down to the the shape you want. Not too mention the time it would take, no finish, only one or two cuts to size, and yer done! Gunny, Larry Buskirk, FlGatorwood and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HandyDan Posted September 20, 2020 Report Share Posted September 20, 2020 Al, can you use the cut off as the guide for the other side? Tape it edge to edge? Cal, John Morris and FlGatorwood 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lew Posted September 20, 2020 Report Share Posted September 20, 2020 Do one edge using a tapering jig AND having the blade tilted. The flip the board end for end- keeping the same side up- and cut the other edge. Cal and FlGatorwood 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlGatorwood Posted September 20, 2020 Report Share Posted September 20, 2020 Lew beat me to it. I was going to suggest a small piece of plywood as your guide against the fence, put screws through your plywood and just enough into your stock to make your desired angle. And, do as Lew said, flip end for end and repeat. Looking forward to seeing your end product. Al B and Cal 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al B Posted September 20, 2020 Author Report Share Posted September 20, 2020 @John Morris The log does sound like a good idea, but I am trying to satisfy a request by my daughter. I'll propose the suggestion. It may be to her liking. John Morris, Cal and FlGatorwood 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al B Posted September 20, 2020 Author Report Share Posted September 20, 2020 @HandyDan I went to the shop and tried using the cut off piece taped to the board for tapering to opposite side. Worked well on practice pieces so that's the way I'll be making my cuts, unless I go with the log recommended by John. Thanks everyone for the help John Morris, FlGatorwood, Cal and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post p_toad Posted September 20, 2020 Popular Post Report Share Posted September 20, 2020 I hate to be an arse (but i am)... This is not the tapir you are looking for. Cal, Al B, John Morris and 3 others 1 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lew Posted September 20, 2020 Report Share Posted September 20, 2020 59 minutes ago, p_toad said: I hate to be an arse (but i am)... This is not the tapir you are looking for. Gene Howe, Cal, FlGatorwood and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al B Posted September 21, 2020 Author Report Share Posted September 21, 2020 Gotcha@HandyDan I went to the shop and tried using the cut off piece taped to the board for tapering to opposite side. Worked well on practice pieces so that's the way I'll be making my cuts, unless I go with the log recommended by John. Thanks everyone for the help. John Morris, p_toad and FlGatorwood 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al B Posted September 21, 2020 Author Report Share Posted September 21, 2020 Gotcha Lew, It's what you might call senior spelling. Swapping vowels for effect. Let's see, try again, "taper", now I got it. p_toad, FlGatorwood and Cal 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gene Howe Posted September 21, 2020 Report Share Posted September 21, 2020 There's tapers then, there's mudders. But, first there's hangers. p_toad, Al B, FlGatorwood and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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