RippingCrosscutting
Ripping, as shown in Figure 26 refers to cuts which follow the direction of wood grain. The rip fence is used to position and guide work through the cutting edge of the saw blade.
It is essential, for precision cutting, that the stock to be cut be straight and flat. Otherwise, it can bind against the blade, or cut irregularly.
During the cutting operation, the saw guard must be used. The guard has
When making repeated rip cuts, take time to ensure that the fence is securely in place. A quick measurement of your last ripped board will verify that the cut is still the width you desire.
Figure 27. Ripping lumber.
Crosscutting means cutting across the grain of the wood. In wood products without grain (i.e. MDF, particleboard) it simply means cutting across the width of the stock.
Crosscuts are made with the miter gauge. There are two miter gauge slots in the table top. Use the one that works best for the piece being crosscut. To make a crosscut using the miter gauge:
1.Inspect the board for soundness. You do not necessarily need a square edge to crosscut with accuracy.
2.Move the rip fence completely out of the way.
3.Raise the saw blade to a height approxi- mately 1⁄8" higher than your workpiece.
4.Turn on the saw and allow it to come to full speed.
5.Hold the workpiece firmly against the face of the miter gauge and ease it into the blade. See Figure 28.
6.Turn off the saw and allow the blade to come to a full stop.
Never raise the blade higher than 1⁄8" above the height of the material you intend to cut. Blade height in excess of that recommend- ed increases the danger of contact between the blade and fingers or other body parts.
Figure 28. Cross-cutting lumber.
G5045 10'' Bench Top Table Saw |