55
Basic Saw Operations
Using the Miter Gauge
The miter gauge is used when crosscut-
ting, miter cutting, bevel cutting, com-
pound miter cutting, dadoing and when
rabbeting across the end of a narrow
workpiece.
WARNING: For your own safety,
always observe the following
safety precautions in addition to
the safety instructions on pages
3-9 & 48-51.
Additional Safety Instructions for Crosscutting
Before Starting:
• Never use the rip fence when cross-
cutting except as specifically
instructed.
• An auxiliary wood facing attached to
the miter gauge can help prevent
workpiece twisting and throwbacks.
Attach it to the slots provided. Make
the facing long enough and big
enough to support your work. Make
sure, however, it will not interfere
with the sawblade guard.
• Use jigs or fixtures to help hold any
piece too small to extend across the
full length of the miter gauge face
during the cut. This lets you properly
hold the miter gauge and workpiece
and helps keep your hands away
from the blade.
While cutting:
• To reduce the risk of blade contact,
always hold the miter gauge as
shown in the this section.
Crosscutting
Definition: A cutting or shaping operation
made across the width of a workpiece.
The graduations on the miter gauge pro-
vide ample accuracy for average wood-
working. In some cases where extreme
accuracy is required, make a trial cut and
then recheck it with a precision square, or
protractor.
NOTE: The space between the miter
gauge bar and the groove in the table is
held to a minimum during manufacturing.
For maximum accuracy when using the
miter gauge, always favor one side of the
groove in the table. In other words, don’t
move the miter gauge from side to side
while cutting but keep one side of the bar
riding against one side of the groove.
NOTE: Gluing a piece of sandpaper to the
face of the miter gauge head can help
prevent the workpiece from “creeping”
while it is being cut.
The miter gauge head is locked in posi-
tion by twisting the lock knob clockwise.
Always tighten it securely when in use.
WARNING: To reduce the risk of
blade contact or kickback, hold
miter gauge properly.
The miter gauge may be used in either of
the grooves in the table.
When using the miter gauge in the left
hand groove, hold the workpiece firmly
against miter gauge head with your left
hand, and grip the lock knob with your
right hand.
When using the miter gauge in the right
hand groove, hold the workpiece with
your right hand and the lock knob with
your left hand.
Always Support
Long Workpieces
Sandpaper