Thread: Basic table saw question

Cutting big sheets is a good test of any fence but few fences on hobby level saws set accurately over wide cuts.

Somewhere around the traps I have seen a jig that looks like this. It's basically an adjustable length wooden frame that is clamped to the saw blade (power disconnected of course) and then the fence is placed up against the frame.

If all the angles on the frame are right angles the fence will be parallel to the blade.

Another solution is a long slotted extension that bolts to your mitre guide and can slide out to touch the fence - then use a big set square to set the extension at right angles to the blade and then set the fence at right angles to the extension.

A third solution (this is what I use) is a big (600 x 1200) adjustable T-square that I butt up against the blade and the use a set square held against the long arm of the T-square to set the fence.

Hi

First thing I did when I bought my saw was to hire the Kelly Mehler DVD, Mastering your Table Saw.

He goes through a few examples of this situation.

For example I used one of his techniques recently when I had to rip a straight edge on a Marri slab where both edges were natural and not straight.

I used his techinque where you nail a square piece of wood to the piece you want cut (use the side that won't be shown if you can - ie the underside of a table top) and then run that square piece of wood up against the fence and slide the whole thing through.

Worked great for me.

Having worked in the trade for over 50 years I have found there is only 1 way you can get a perfectly square cut.
Measure your work and with a good roofing square mark the work were you want it to finish.
Slide the fence right out of the way or take it off f required.
Cut the work free hand about 5mm longer required.
Take the work to the jointer and shoot it straight.
It allways worked for me.
Rowley.

Originally Posted by Arry

Hi
I used his techinque where you nail a square piece of wood to the piece you want cut (use the side that won't be shown if you can - ie the underside of a table top) and then run that square piece of wood up against the fence and slide the whole thing through.

Worked great for me.

I have used this method before. It works but it is a lot of work to do each end of ten sheets I have cut roughly using my cheap hand held circular saw.

Thanks for the DVD recommendation. I think I should watch that.

Al

Originally Posted by Rowley

Having worked in the trade for over 50 years I have found there is only 1 way you can get a perfectly square cut.
Measure your work and with a good roofing square mark the work were you want it to finish.
Slide the fence right out of the way or take it off f required.
Cut the work free hand about 5mm longer required.
Take the work to the jointer and shoot it straight.
It allways worked for me.
Rowley.

Thanks. I will definitely try this as soon as my wife approves the purchase of a jointer.


Al