Build vs Buy: Taper Jig. Dubby On Sale Too.

[Patrick Irish]

I'm envisioning the legs of a console table I want to make to be tapered. I was thinking about making a taper jig in addition to crosscut sled this weekend BUT Peachtree has the Dubby Taper Jig on sale of $72 shipped, regular $120.

Any thoughts on building vs buying?

A sheet of 3/4" ply cabinet grade is $45-$50 at my home depot. Then gotta cut etc. I have the clamps already.

Debating if it's worth my time to build or buy it.

https://www.ptreeusa.com/images/3170_dubby_taper_jig_1_300.jpg

[Keith Westfall]

If you can afford it, buy it. Unless you just like to spend time making jigs.

[Cary Falk]

If you can afford it, buy it. Unless you just like to spend time making jigs.

Kind of my thought as well.

[Mike Cutler]

Patrick
I'm in the build it when you need it camp.
I've built more than a few through the years, and all of them were purpose specific. I would not want to be constrained by the dimensions of a prebuilt sled.

[Frederick Skelly]

I built one VERY simply and inexpensively a few years ago (for under $10, since I had the hardware).
I haven't used it again. For me, it wouldn't have been worth the $70. YMMV.

Fred

[johnny means]

I can build a taper jig as quickly as it takes to set up the Dubby. Seems like a waste to me. Of course, I'm assuming we all have plenty of scrap wood lying around.

[glenn bradley]

This sounds like a case of whether you have the stock on hand or not. It is a weekend project to make a fairly nice one if you have the stuff on hand. Much less time for a one-off, single use setup. If you have to buy everything, the commercial route may be better for you.

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[Warren Lake]

you want to make some table legs its some scrap plywood and an air nailer and likely five minutes to make it.

[Ed Aumiller]

Bought a commercial one, used it one time..
Made my own, used it many times..
for a one time project, as Warren said...five minutes

[Thomas Canfield]

Where is Norm and his Yankee Workshop? I made a taper jig after seeing his simple one about 15 years back using a door hinge and plain lumber. Works when I need it and cost less than $1 using scrap lumber and hinge. Does not have the clamping on some of the purchased units, but has worked for the simple needs I have.

[johnny means]

Had to make four tapered legs today. Doubt it took me two minutes to whip this up.