Thread: Mitres on a Disc Sander

How many sides? How high are the pieces? How "perfect" is required? In segmented woodturning, most folks pre-assemble in halves, sand as well as possible to alignment to distribute the error; in quadrants, the smaller error is more broadly distributed.

For low-enough profiles, and only four sides, re-cutting along the imperfect mitre works best, because of parallel sides of the kerf. Use corner clamps, with gaps to accommodate a back saw. Re-cut as needed. The pieces may need to be slightly over-sized to allow re-cutting. Upon reflection, I think variations of this technique could be used for other applications.

Cheers,
Joe

Edit: I added more info above...thanks Joe

Hi Watson,
I sometimes do mine on the disc sander. Just clamp a block to the table at 45 deg.
There are two things to watch.
1. The table must be exactly perpendicular to the disc.
2. The guide block must be at exactly 45 deg to the disc.

To get the block right, set it as close as you can using a mitre gauge, then sand 2 pieces at once. Flip one and put them together, and check with a try square that they make 90 deg. Adjust 'til correct.

To make your mitres, mark the ends on the outside using a marking knife (not too deeply). Sand down to this line carefully. Stop when you get a thin sliver peeling away at the line.
I'll try to post pics when I'm back in the workshop.

Thanks Alex........your a gem. I'll try it out in the morning.

Already tried it.just after dinner ......viola!!

Different strokes........can't see the wood for trees.......etc

I'd been trying to set the table at 135º to the disc and doing the mitres in "flat" mode.
Problems were experienced with the disc rotation.....i.e. during each revolution, one side of the stock is dragged "UP" the other side "DOWN"....bad.
I made one jig to get rid of this problem, but it was always in the sight line.

Thanks again AlexS.

I made a small donkeys ear and clamped it to to the sander table,works fine , made it just to have a smooth surface after the mitre saw,have a Makita ls 1040, changed out their blade for 60 tooth one, leaves a better finish but not for glue up.