Here you see the main sled jig and two templates. The bottom of the main sled is keyed into the miter groove. The upper piece rides in two horizontal adjustment slots and the large black knobs are used to clamp it in position.
The first template is square on one side and has the first taper on the other side and is marked so you know which side is which. The square side goes against the jig and using a scrap (or the other template) is aligned exactly to the edge. The large black knobs are tightened to hold the position.
Mark shows how this same method can be used to make new templates. You first mark a piece of MDF or Ply, align on the marks, clamp and cut. Remember to mark the cut edge!
Now remove the template and insert the actual fretboard. Note that with this jig it is critical that the fretbaord side edges be actually true to the fret slots and that it be exactly the right width. This fits in with other jigs that Mark has for making up the FB blank. Butt the FB up against the small metal stop at the rear end of the sled and against the upper jig piece, clamp in place and make the cut.
For the second side you just repeat the process. First loosen the knobs, place the second double-tapered template in the jig, align and tighten the knobs. Insert the fretboard, clamp and make the second cut.
Easy as a piece of cake...uh pie! This jig allows you to make the fretboard exactly the size you want without trying to see those faint pencil lines on the end edges of that dark ebony fretboard. Perfect every time. Need a different taper? Easy. You mark up another piece of MDF where you CAN see the marks and make a new set of templates.