Basic Saw Operations .........,
Using the Miter Gauge
The miter gauge is used when crosscutting, miter cutting,
bevel cutting, compound miter cutting, dadoing and when
rabbeting across the end of a narrow workpiece.
WARNING: For your own safety, always observe
the following safety precautions in addition to the
safety instructions of pages 2, 3, 4, 5, 24 & 2&
Additional Safety Instructions for Crosscutting
Before Starting:
=Never use the rip fence when crosscutting except as
specifically instructed
o An auxiliary wood facing attached to the miter gauge
can help prevent workpiece twisting and throwbacks.
Attach it to the slots provided. Make the facing long
enough and big enough to support your work. Make
sure, however, it will not interfere with the sawblade
guard.
° Use jigs or fixtures to help hold any piece too small to
extend across the full length of the miter gauge face
during the cut. This lets you properly hold the miter
gauge and workpiece and helps keep your hands away
from the blade..
While cutting:
• To avoid blade contact, always hold the miter gauge as
shown in the this section
Crosscutting
Definition: A cutting or shaping operation made across
the width of a workpiece
The graduations on the miter gauge provide ample accu-
racy for average woodworking In some cases where
extreme accuracy is required, make a tdal cut and then
recheck itwith a precision square, or protractor.
NOTE: The space between the miter gauge bar and the
groove in the table is held to a minimum during manufac-
turing
For maximum accuracy when using the miter gauge,
always favor one side of the groove in the table In other
words, don't move the miter gauge from side to side
while cutting but keep one side of the bar riding against
one side of the groove.
NOTE: Gluing a piece of sandpaper to the face of the
miter gauge head can help prevent the workpiece from
"creeping" while it is being cut
The miter gauge head is locked in position by twisting the
lock knob clockw{se Always tighten it securely when in
use,
[WARNING: To avoid blade contact or kickback, 1
hold miter gauge properly.
The miter gauge may be used in either of the grooves in
the table
When using the miter gauge in the left hand groove, hold
the workpiece firmly against miter gauge head with your
left hand, and grip the lock knob with your right hand
When using the miter gauge in the right hand groove,
hold the workpiece with your right hand and the lock knob
with your left hand
Always Support
Long Workpieces
Sandpaper
28