Ripping, Constructing a Push Stick | Black & Decker 489051-00

maximum depth of cut, and should extend out 12 inches or more to one side or the other depending on which miter gauge slot is being used. This auxiliary wood- facing (B) can be fastened to the front of the miter gauge by using two wood screws (C) through the holes provided in the miter gauge body and into the wood- facing.

NEVER USE THE FENCE AS A CUT-OFF GAUGE WHEN CROSS-CUTTING.

When cross-cutting a number of pieces to the same length, a block of wood (B) Fig. 39B can be clamped to the fence and used as a cut-off gauge as shown in Fig. 39B. It is important that this block of wood always be positioned in front of the saw blade as shown. Once the cut-off length is determined, secure the fence and use the miter gauge to feed the work into the cut. This block of wood allows the cut-off piece to move freely along the table surface without binding between the fence and the saw blade, thereby lessening the possibility of kickback and injury to the operator.

WHEN USING THE BLOCK (B) FIG. 39B,

AS A CUT-OFF GAUGE , IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT THE REAR END OF THE BLOCK BE POSITIONED SO THE WORK PIECE IS CLEAR OF THE BLOCK BEFORE IT CONTACTS THE BLADE.

RIPPING

Ripping is cutting lengthwise through a board. The rip fence (A) Fig. 40 is used to position and guide the work. One edge of the work rides against the rip fence while the flat side of the board rests on the table. Since the work is pushed along the fence, it must have a straight edge and make solid contact with the table. The saw blade guard must be used. The guard has anti-kickback fingers to prevent kickback and a splitter to prevent the wood kerf from closing and binding the blade.

1.Start the motor and advance the work holding it down and against the fence. Never stand in the line of the saw cut when ripping. Hold the work with both hands and push it along the fence and into the saw blade (Fig. 40). The work can then be fed through the saw blade with one or two hands. After the work is beyond the saw blade and anti-kickback fingers, the hand is removed from the work. When this is done the work will either stay on the table, tilt up slightly and be caught by the end of the rear guard, or slide off the table to the floor. Alternately, the feed can continue to the end of the table, after which the work is lifted and brought along the outside edge of the fence. The cut-off stock remains on the table and is not touched until the saw blade has stopped, unless it is a large piece allowing safe removal. When ripping boards longer than three feet, use a work support at the rear of the saw to keep the workpiece from falling off the saw table.

2.If the ripped work is less than 4 inches wide, a push stick should always be used to complete the feed, as shown in Fig. 41. The push stick can easily be made from scrap material as explained in the section

“CONSTRUCTING A PUSH STICK.”

C B

Fig. 39A

Fig. 39B

Fig. 40

Fig. 41