CUTTING ALUMINUM
Aluminum extrusions such as used for making aluminum screens and storm windows can easily be cut with your compound miter saw. When cutting aluminum extrusions, or other sections that can be cut with a saw blade and are within the capacity of the machine, position the material so the blade is cutting through the smallest
BLADE
FENCE
RIGHT
a stick wax to the blade before cutting aluminum stock. This stick wax is available at most industrial mill supply houses. The wax provides proper lubrication and keeps chips from adhering to the blade.
NEVER APPLY LUBRICANT TO THE BLADE WHILE THE MACHINE IS RUNNING.
CUTTING BOWED MATERIAL
FENCE
Fig. 35
BLADE
When cutting flat pieces, first check to see if the material is bowed. If it is, make sure the material is positioned on the table as shown in Fig. 37.
If the material is positioned the wrong way, as shown in Fig. 38, the workpiece will pinch the blade near the completion of the cut.
RIGHT
Fig. 37
WORK SUPPORT EXTENSIONS
For support when cutting long pieces, construct a work support extension. Fig. 39 illustrates the miter saw mounted on two standard 2 x 4’s (A). Fasten the four mounting legs (two of which are shown at (B) Fig. 39 to the 2 x 4’s, using four screws (not supplied) through the four holes in the mounting legs. The length of the 2 x 4’s (A) can vary, depending on the workpiece.
NOTE: Ensure that the top of the support 2 x 4’s (C) are level with the miter saw table. This is critical because the distance from the top of the 2 x 4’s (A) to the miter saw table varies from saw to saw. In most cases, standard 2 x 4’s (C) can used. If these are too high, cut them to fit. If the 2 x 4’s are too low, use 2 x 6’s. If these are high, cut them to the correct height.
WRONG | Fig. 36 |
WRONG
Fig. 38
C 
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Fig. 39
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