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Lowes.com
GlOssARY OF TERms FOR wOOdwORKInG
TERm
dEFInITIOn
Bevel Cut
A cutting operation made with the blade at any angle other than 90° to the
miter table.
Chamfer Cut
A cut removing a wedge from a block of wood so that the end (or part of the
end) is angled at other than 90°.
Compound-Miter Cut A cut made using a miter angle and a bevel angle at the same time.
Cross Cut
A cutting or shaping operation made against the grain of the workpiece.
Dado Cut
A non-through cut that produces a square-sided notch or trough in the
workpiece (requires a special blade).
Freehand Cut
Performing a cut without using a fence, miter gauge, fixture, work clamp, or
other proper device to keep the workpiece from twisting or moving during the
cut. Freehand cuts are dangerous and should be avoided.
Gum
A sticky, sap-based residue from wood products.
Kerf
The material removed by the blade in a through cut or the slot produced by
the blade in a non-through or partial cut.
Kickback
A hazard that can occur when the blade binds or stalls, throwing the
workpiece back toward the operator.
Leading Edge
The end of the workpiece pushed into the tool first.
Miter Cut
A cutting operation made with the blade at any angle other than 90° to the
fence.
Non-Through Cuts
Any cutting operation where the blade does not extend completely through
the thickness of the workpiece, like a dado cut.
Resin
A sticky, sap-based substance that has hardened.
Revolutions Per
Minute (RPM)
The number of turns completed by a spinning object in one minute.
Ripping or Rip Cut
A cutting operation along the length of the workpiece.
Saw-Blade Path
The area over, under, behind, or in front of the blade, as it applies to the
workpiece. The area that will be or has been cut by the blade.
Set
The distance that the saw blade tooth is bent (or set) outward from the face of
the blade.
Spindle
The shaft on which a blade or cutting tool is mounted. Also called the arbor.
Through Sawing
Any cutting operation where the blade extends completely through the
thickness of the workpiece.
Workpiece or
Material
The item on which the cutting operation is being done. The surfaces of a
workpiece are commonly referred to as faces, ends, and edges.
