Cross cutting
Cutting against the grain, to shorten the length of a board
is crosscutting. With some smaller-sized and rectangular
pieces, you often have the choice of ripping or crosscutting.
Always use the miter gauge when crosscutting with its built-in
clamp to secure the workpiece in place; never cut a piece
unsupported.
To begin crosscutting, place the work on the miter gauge
and, with the motor OFF, slide it up close to the blade to
align the outer edges of the teeth with your cut mark.
Keep a firm grip as you pull the miter gauge and the wood
back away from the blade. Turn on the saw and make the
cut. When the work is cut through, move one or both cut
pieces — if long enough to handle without danger — imme-
diately off to the side, away from the turning blade. Turn off
the motor.
TYPES OF CUTS (CONTINUED)
NEVER REACH IN TOWARDS THE BLADE WHILE THE BLADE IS STILL SPINNING! WHENEVER A RIP CUT IS COMPLETED,
TURN OFF THE SAW AND WAIT FOR THE BLADE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP BEFORE REACHING IN TO REMOVE THE
WORKPIECE OR THE WASTE MATERIAL.
Ripping small workpieces
Do not attempt rip cuts if the work piece is too small, as this will oblige you to place your hands too close to the
blade and put you at serious risk of injury. When ripping narrower widths; use a push block or a push stick in order
to avoid placing hands near the blade.
Bevel cross cutting
This procedure is the same as cross cutting except that the blade is set to an angle other than 0. After changing the
bevel angle, verify the alignment of the blade cover and splitter and verify that there is clearance with the saw blade.
Miter cuts
This operation is the same as cross cutting, except the miter gauge is set to an angle other than 0. Hold the workpiece
firmly against the miter gauge and feed the workpiece slowly into the blade to prevent it from moving during the cut.
Compound mitering
This is a combination of bevel cross cutting and mitering. It is infrequently used. Follow instructions for both bevel cut-
ting and mitering.
Bevel ripping
Bevel ripping is performed the same as ripping but with the saw blade set to an angle not perpendicular to the
table surface. After changing the bevel angle verify the alignment of the guard and splitter; make sure there is
clearance with the saw blade.
Ripping (continued)
• Always use the blade guard and splitter/riving knife assembly when cutting wood. The splitter/riving knife pre-
vent the saw “kerf” (the slit cut by the blade) from closing and binding the blade, which can overload and/
or stall the motor or cause the blade to lift and eject the workpiece towards the front of the saw at very high
speeds. The blade guard keeps your fingers away from the blade and also reduces the amount of sawdust
flying free.
• Although certain operations require the removal of the blade guard and splitter assembly, it should always be
replaced for regular cutting.
• Never stand in the line of the blade when ripping.
• Raise the saw blade only about 1/4” higher than the workpiece to be cut.
As you complete the rip, the wood will either remain on the table, tilt up to be caught on the end of the guard,
or fall onto the floor (or outfeed table). The waste part of the stock remains on the table to be removed only after
the saw is stopped (unless it is large enough for immediate safe removal).
36
To Next Page
Loading...
