FIG. 20
A.B.
VERNIER SCALE
Your saw is equipped with a vernier scale for added precision. The vernier scale allows you to accurately set miter angles to the nearest 1/4 degree. To use the vernier scale follow these steps.
(As an example, assume that the angle you want to miter is
English
FIG. 21
FIG. 22
ANGLE “A”
ment/lock handle are securely tightened. These handles must be tightened and locked after making any changes in bevel or miter.
The chart shown on page 14 will assist you in selecting the proper bevel and miter settings for common compound miter cuts. To use the chart, select the desired angle “A” (Table 1) of your project and locate that angle on the appropriate arc in the chart. From that point follow the chart straight down to find the correct bevel angle and straight across to find the correct miter angle. Once again, position the wood with the broad flat side on the table and the narrow edge against the fence.
Set your saw to the prescribed angles and make a few trial cuts. Practice fitting the cut pieces together until you develop a feel for this procedure and feel comfortable with it.
Example: To make a 4 sided box with 26° exterior angles (Angle A, Figure 22), use the upper right arc. Find 26° on the arc scale. Follow the horizontal intersecting line to either side to get miter angle setting on saw (42°). Likewise, follow the vertical intersecting line to the top or bottom to get the bevel angle setting on the saw (18°). Always try cuts on a few scrap pieces of wood to verify settings on saw.
DUAL RANGE MITER SCALE
The miter scale has two ranges of numbers for convenience, as shown in Figure 23. One scale indicates 0 degrees when the blade is square to the fence. At this position the other scale reads 90 degrees.
FIG. 23
DUAL RANGE MITER
SCALE
CENTER MARK
FIG. 24
FIG. 25
The 0 degree scale (larger numbers closer to the front edge) is used when calculating angles. To calculate the proper miter angle, divide 180 degrees by the number of sides of the box or frame.
The 90 degree scale (smaller numbers behind the zero degree scale) is used when a corner of your box or frame is measured with a protractor. For example: if you measure the corner of an 8 sided box, the protractor will read 135 degrees. To determine the proper miter setting, divide the measured angle by two. The proper miter setting in this example is
1.Turn off sliding compound miter saw.
2.Set the miter angle to the nearest whole degree desired by aligning the center mark in the vernier scale, shown in Figure 24, with the whole degree number etched in the miter scale. Examine Figure 24 closely; the setting shown is 24 degrees right miter.
3.To set the additional 1/4 degree, move the first mark on the right to the right until the 1/4 degree vernier mark aligns with the CLOSEST degree mark on the miter scale. In our example, the closest degree mark on the miter scale happens to be 25 degrees. Figure 25 shows a setting of 24- 1/4 degrees right miter.
4.To set a 1/2 degree, align the second mark on the scale (marked 0.5) with the nearest whole degree number. For example, to miter
5.To set a 3/4 degree, align the THIRD mark on the scale with the nearest whole degree number. For example, to miter
WHEN MITERING TO THE RIGHT
To increase the miter angle when mitering to the right, move the arm to align the appropriate vernier mark with the closest mark on the miter scale to the right. To decrease the miter angle when mitering to the right, move the arm to align the appropriate vernier mark with the closest mark on the miter scale to the left.
WHEN MITERING TO THE LEFT
To increase the miter angle when mitering to the left, move the arm to align the appropriate vernier mark with the closest mark on the miter scale to the left. To decrease the miter angle when mitering to the left, move the arm to align the appropriate vernier mark with the closest mark on the miter scale to the right.
CUTTING BASE MOLDING
ALWAYS MAKE A DRY RUN WITHOUT POWER BEFORE MAKING ANY CUTS.
Straight 90 degree cuts –
Position the wood against the fence and hold it tightly to the fence and table, as shown in Figure 26. Turn on the saw, allow the blade to reach full speed and lower the arm smoothly through the cut.
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