18
4. Crosscutting.
Crosscutting is the term used to describe cuts made in timber across the grain. This type of
cut requires the use of the MITRE GAUGE. This includes bevel cutting, mitre cutting and
compound mitre cutting (described later in this paragraph).
To perform a cross cutting operation, the
work is firmly held against the mitre gauge
head as shown in the diagram, with the mitre
gauge bar located in either the left or right
hand groove in the table. With the timber
carefully lined up with the saw blade, the
mitre gauge is gently moved along the
groove, past the saw blade, producing the
desired cut. Long workpieces should be
supported. A simple arrangement is to clamp
a piece of plywood to a sawhorse as shown
in Fig. 17
Mitre Gauge Adjustment
To produce an accurate cut at 90
O
you
should check the gauge as follows:
1. Loosen the lock knob and set mitre
gauge body so the pointer is at the 0
O
mark, then tighten the lock knob.
2. Make a cut on a piece of scrap wood.
Check it with a square to see if the piece
of wood was cut at 90 degrees.
If the piece of wood was not cut 90
degree, adjust the mitre gauge body,
tighten lock knob and make additional
cuts until you are certain you have
made a 90
O
cut.
3. Finally, slacken off the pointer securing
screw and zero the pointer.
The graduations on the mitre gauge provide accuracy for average woodworking. In some
cases where extreme accuracy is required, when making angle cuts for example, make a
trial cut and then recheck it with an accurate square or protractor.
For maximum accuracy when using the mitre gauge, always favour one side of the groove
in the table. In other words, don’t move the mitre gauge from side to side while cutting but
keep one side of the bar riding against one side of the groove.
When using the left hand groove, hold the workpiece firmly against the mitre gauge head
with your left hand, and grip the lock knob and push with your right hand. When using the
right hand groove, hold the work piece with the right hand and grip the lock knob with the
left.
Mitre Gauge Adj.
Cross cutting, with support
Fig.18
Fig.17
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