How to Cut Angles on Your Table Saw
When it comes to cutting accurate angles, table saws are the best woodworking gears, especially because you can make a wide range of angles.
“To cut angles on your table saw, first outline the cut on wood and set the blade of the saw to an appropriate height. Then use a miter gauge to set the angle that you want.
When you are ready to cut wood, follow safety precautions and technique so that you don’t injure yourself or others. If done correctly, you will have well-cut pieces of wood for your project which will make it better than before.”
We all know that angles play a very critical role when it comes to decorative purposes in woodworking projects. Fortunately, there are several tools you can use to make angled cuts on a piece of wood and a table saw is one of them. Generally, table saws are designed to help cut accurate and versatile tips for various woodworking projects.
Moreover, as your woodworking projects advance and you start handling compound projects, you will need to create complex curves other than the basic angles. Therefore, knowing how to cut accurate and versatile angles can help you handle intricate designs in your woodworking projects. This article will teach you the various efficient ways of cutting precise angles using a table saw.
Part 1.0. Tools you need to cut angles.
Here are some of the gears you need when cutting angles using a table saw.
- Taper jig or Miter gauge
- A table saw
- Measuring gears such as a ruler or a tape measure
- Framing square or a Drafting triangle
- Safety wears such as dust mask, glasses, fence clamps.
Part 2.0 Basic ideals about Bevel cuts.
Generally, angle cuts are made at 90 degrees. Now, when you make a different angle rather than 90 degrees, such angles are called bevels. Moreover, the way you set the square edge determines how the full-dimensional lumber will be.
Ideally, the bound edge and face angle is usually 90 degrees, and any angle that is different from this normal angle will require you to make some adjustments. This leads to the creation of bevel cuts. Typical bevel cuts play a critical role in decorative purposes such as cabinet trims and interior molding, among others.
Remember, there are other instruments you can use to make bevel cuts apart from table saws. These include but are not limited to jigsaws, circular saws, and routers. However, jigsaws may not provide the most accurate bevel cuts. Generally, table saws are the most preferred, mainly because they are easy and safe to use.
Part 3.0. How to make bevel cuts using a table saw.
Here are three simple steps on how to cut angles using your table saw.
3.1. Make some adjustments on the saw blade and the wood to be cut.
Generally, this involves preparing the saw blade and the wood. Raise the wood and ensure that your gears are close enough to avoid some awkward moments. Make sure you come close enough to the saw blade when preparing your work. This means that you must keep your saw unplugged and turned off.
Measure your desired cut length. Mark both the start and end of the measured cut.
You need to establish the nature and the length of the angle you expect to cut. This way, you will be launching the exact dimension you need for your projects. Use a pencil to mark your target spot. Now, use a ruler or measuring tape to measure along the side of the wood. Make sure that you confirm that the marked angle is correct before you can start your operations.
Outline the cut.
Mark the beginning and end of the cut, and then use a pencil to link the marked points. Make sure that you double-check the sketched spots on the board before placing the ruler on the board. Now, draw across the board using a thick dark line. Confirm the angle once again.
Make some adjustments to your saw height.
The ideal blade height is approximately 0.64 cm. Keep this height in your mind, and then adjust the crank to this height. You can achieve this by placing a tape measure on a piece of wood. Mark the 0.64 cm on the amount of wood and place it alongside the saw. Adjust your saw until it reaches the marked point. Remember, raising the saw height allows a tight contact between the wood and the blade’s teeth, resulting in a more accurate and smooth cut. However, if you are not 100% sure which is the best height to set, you can use your personal opinion to estimate.
3.2 Set the wood at the right angle/
It involves preparing a draft triangle for crosscut.
Make sure to clear the table before you can use the drafting triangle. For instance, you can create perpendicular crosscuts on the wood’s grain or across the board’s width. However, if you want to remain accurate on the edges or the wood’s length, consider using a taper jig. If you don’t have a drafting triangle, a framing square can also save the same purpose.
Set your miter gauge to cut angles.
A typical miter gauge is a portable holding machine that helps you make bevels on wood boards. To use it, place it against the sides of the drafting triangle. Make sure you focus on its calibration since it is essential to identify the wood according to your ideal angle.
Set the wood’s angle by opening the taper jig.
Generally, taper jigs are a piece of wood used to brace the sides of the board. It plays a critical role when making angled cuts since it helps keep your fingers far from the blade. Hold the taper jig against the opposite of the board to be cut. To make your work less complicated, you can use a sled-style jig rather than the triangular-shaped jigs.
Secure the fence.
Make use of the table saw’s fence, which is sorely incorporated as a safety feature. Slip the fence around the table to cover the taper jig gauge or the miter. Moreover, you can slide a piece of broken wood into the clamp, positioned at the front side of the miter gauge or the posterior side of the taper jig.
Part 3.3. Time to use your table saw.
The first thing is wearing your safety gear.
You need to wear safety glasses whenever you’re using a table saw. Safety glasses are particularly essential when it comes to protecting your eyes against dust and wood debris.
Make several trials/ test cuts.
It is highly recommended to make samples to help you determine if the miter gauge and table saw are well set. Pick some pieces of scrap wood, make cuts just like you would do on the actual piece of the wood. Depending on the results, you can make necessary adjustments to ensure that the final setup is accurate.
Place the scrap wood firmly against the fence.
Moreover, at the sides of the table, you can put the fence forward-facing the dominant side. Place the piece of the wood in between the saw and the wall, and then align the saw according to the sketches you made to guide your cuts. Ensure that the miter gauge is away from the saw’s way before you start making your cuts.
Stay behind the piece of wood.
Take several moves towards the direction of your inactive hand. Position yourself precisely behind the miter gauge rather than the saw blade. Ideally, standing in this position helps protect yourself from kickbacks. Although kickbacks are pretty uncommon, prevention is always better than cure!
Push the fence and the board.
Let your opposite hand be positioned on the miter gauge’s handlebar while you hold the board and the fence together using your dominant hand. At first, start at a slower and constant rate as you drive things forward. Maintain a slow pace to make clean cuts and also avoid kickbacks. It would be best if you stopped in case of the saw cuts through the wood.
After cutting, you can pull the wood back.
Once the saw slices the wood, you should pull back the wood towards you and the miter gauge and fence. Bring it nearby the table’s edge. It is easier to cut the wood and separate it from the miter gauge, and this should be after you’ve deactivated the saw.
Conclusion.
I hope this article has been of great help and that you can now make angles cuts using your table saw without experiencing difficulties. Moreover, you’ll find a few essential tips on how to make angled cuts.
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