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Basic Saw Operations
Using the Miter Gauge
The miter gauge is used when crosscut-
ting, miter cutting, bevel cutting, com-
pound 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 3
thru 9 and 35 thru 38.
Additional Safety Instructions for
Crosscutting
Before Starting:
• Never use the rip fence when crosscut-
ting except as specifically instructed.
•An auxiliary wood facing attached to the
miter gauge can help prevent work-
piece 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 reduce the risk of 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 pro-
vide ample accuracy for average wood-
working. In some cases where extreme
accuracy is required, make a trial cut and
then recheck it with 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 manufacturing.
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 posi-
tion by twisting the lock knob clockwise.
Always tighten it securely when in use.
WARNING: To reduce the risk of
blade contact or kickback, 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