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OPERATION
The kerf (the cut made by the blade in the wood) will be
wider than the blade to avoid overheating or binding.
Make allowance for the kerf when measuring wood.
Make sure the kerf is made on the waste side of the
measuring line.
Cut the wood with the finish side up.
Knock out any loose knots with a hammer before making
the cut.
Always provide proper support for the wood as it comes
out of the saw.
TYPES OF CUTS
See Figure 1/.
There are six basic cuts: 1) the cross cut, 2) the rip cut, 3) the
miter cut, 4) the bevel cross cut, 5) the bevel rip cut, and 6)
the compound (bevel) miter cut. All other cuts are combina-
tions of these basic six. Operating procedures for making
each kind of cut are given later in this section.
WARNING:
Always make sure the blade guard and anti-kickback
pawls are in place and working properly when making
these cuts to avoid possible injury.
Cross cuts are straight 90° cuts made across the grain of the
workpiece. The wood is fed into the cut at a 90° angle to the
blade, and the blade is vertical.
Rip cuts are made with the grain of the wood. To avoid
kickback while making a rip cut, make sure one side of the
wood rides firmly against the rip fence.
Miter cuts are made with the wood at any angle to the blade
other than 90°. The blade is vertical.
WARNING:
Always use a pushstick with small pieces of wood, and
also to finish the cut when ripping a long narrow piece of
wood, to prevent your hands from getting close to the
blade.
Bevel cuts are made with an angled blade. Bevel cross cuts
are across the wood grain, and bevel rip cuts are with the
grain. The rip fence must always be on the right side of the
blade for bevel rip cuts.
Compound (or bevel) miter cuts are made with an angled
blade on wood that is angled to the blade. Be thoroughly
familiar with making cross cuts, rip cuts, bevel cuts, and miter
cuts before trying a compound miter cut.
WARNING:
All blades must be rated for at least 5,500 rpm to prevent
possible injury.
Fig. 19
Bevel Rip Cut
Rip Cut
Cross Cut
Miter Cut
Compound (Bevel) Miter Cut
Bevel Cross Cut
1
2
6
4
5
3