Align-a-rip, Bevel and Miter Operations

To improve the effectiveness of the miter gauge in crosscutting, some users mount an auxiliary wooden extension face (with a glued-on strip of sandpaper) to the miter gauge as shown in Figure 34.

Provide auxiliary support for any workpiece extending beyond the table top with a tendency to sag and lift up off the table.

Stop rods can be used in the holes provided in the miter gauge for repetitive work of equal length. Do not use a stop rod on the free end of a workpiece. It should be used on the side of the miter gauge opposite the saw blade.

Have the blade extend about 1/8" above the top of the workpiece. Exposing the blade above this point can be hazardous.

Align-a-rip

The yellow align-a-rip pad on the saw table is used for creating a mark that lines up the workpiece with the saw blade. After the first workpiece is cut with the miter gauge, turn the saw off and pull the miter gauge together with the workpiece back. The workpiece must be unmoved and still against the miter fence. The cut edge of the workpiece is pulled over the pad and the pad can be marked with a pencil (A, Fig. 35). Now, when cutting the next marked workpiece, the workpiece can be lined up with the line on the pad and cut.

Figure 35

Bevel and Miter Operations

Bevel Cut – A bevel cut is a special type of operation where the saw blade is tilted at an angle less than 90 degrees to the table top (Figure 36). Operations are performed in the

same manner as ripping or crosscutting except the fence or miter gauge should be used on the right-hand side of the saw blade to provide added safety in avoiding a binding action between the saw blade and the table top. When beveling with the miter gauge, the workpiece must be held firmly to prevent creeping.

Figure 36

Crosscut – Crosscuts made at an angle to the edge of the workpiece are called miters (Figure 37). Set the miter gauge at the required angle, lock the miter gauge, and make the cut the same as a normal crosscut except the workpiece must be held extra firmly to prevent creeping.

Note: When making compound miters (with blade tilted) use the miter gauge in the right hand slot to provide more hand clearance and safety.

Have the blade extend only 1/8" above the top of the workpiece. Exposing the blade above this point can be hazardous.

Figure 37