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Figure 37
11.5 Crosscutting
Crosscutting is where the workpiece is fed cross
grain into the saw blade using the miter gauge to
support and position the workpiece (Figure 38).
Figure 38
Crosscutting should never be done freehand nor
should the fence be used as an end stop unless an
auxiliary block (E, Figure 39) is clamped to the
front of the blade area such that the cutoff piece
comes free of the block before cutting begins.
Figure 39
Length stops should not be used on the free end of
the workpiece in the cutoff area.
Do not crosscut workpieces shorter than 6". Before
starting a cut, be sure the miter gauge is securely
clamped at the desired angle. Hold the workpiece
firmly against the table and back against the miter
gauge. Always use the saw guard and riving knife
and make sure the riving knife is properly aligned.
For 90 degree crosscutting, most operators prefer
to use the left-hand miter gauge slot. When using it
in this position, hold the workpiece against the
gauge with the left hand and use the right hand to
advance the workpiece. When using the right hand
slot for miter and compound crosscutting so that
the blade tilts away from the gauge, the hand
positions are reversed.
When using the miter gauge, the workpiece must
be held firmly and advanced smoothly at a slow
rate. If the workpiece is not held firmly, it can
vibrate causing it to bind on the blade and dull the
saw teeth.
Figure 40
To augment the effectiveness of the miter gauge in
crosscutting, some users mount an auxiliary
wooden extension face (F, Figure 40) with a glued-
on strip of sandpaper (G) to the miter gauge.
Provide auxiliary support for any workpiece
extending beyond the table top with a tendency to
sag and lift up off the table.
Have the blade extend about 1/8" above the top of
the workpiece. Exposing the blade above this point
can be hazardous.
11.6 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 41).
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
blade to provide added safety in avoiding a binding
action between blade and table top. When beveling
with the miter gauge, the workpiece must be held
firmly to prevent creeping.