maximum depth of cut, and should extend out 12 inches
or more to one side or the other depending on which
miter gauge slot is being used. This auxiliary wood-
facing (B) can be fastened to the front of the miter
gauge by using two wood screws (C) through the holes
provided in the miter gauge body and into the wood-
facing.
NEVER USE THE FENCE AS A CUT-OFF
GAUGE WHEN CROSS-CUTTING.
When cross-cutting a number of pieces to the same length, a
block of wood (B) Fig. 39B can be clamped to the fence and
used as a cut-off gauge as shown in Fig. 39B. It is important
that this block of wood always be positioned in front of the saw
blade as shown. Once the cut-off length is determined, secure
the fence and use the miter gauge to feed the work into the
cut. This block of wood allows the cut-off piece to move freely
along the table surface without binding between the fence and
the saw blade, thereby lessening the possibility of kickback and
injury to the operator.
WHEN USING THE BLOCK (B) FIG. 39B,
AS A CUT-OFF GAUGE , IT IS VERY
IMPORTANT THAT THE REAR END OF THE BLOCK BE
POSITIONED SO THE WORK PIECE IS CLEAR OF THE
BLOCK BEFORE IT CONTACTS THE BLADE.
RIPPING
Ripping is cutting lengthwise through a board. The rip
fence (A) Fig. 40 is used to position and guide the work.
One edge of the work rides against the rip fence while
the flat side of the board rests on the table. Since the
work is pushed along the fence, it must have a straight
edge and make solid contact with the table. The saw
blade guard must be used. The guard has anti-kickback
fingers to prevent kickback and a splitter to prevent the
wood kerf from closing and binding the blade.
1. Start the motor and advance the work holding it down
and against the fence. Never stand in the line of the saw
cut when ripping. Hold the work with both hands and
push it along the fence and into the saw blade (Fig. 40).
The work can then be fed through the saw blade with
one or two hands. After the work is beyond the saw
blade and anti-kickback fingers, the hand is removed
from the work. When this is done the work will either
stay on the table, tilt up slightly and be caught by the
end of the rear guard, or slide off the table to the floor.
Alternately, the feed can continue to the end of the table,
after which the work is lifted and brought along the
outside edge of the fence. The cut-off stock remains on
the table and is not touched until the saw blade has
stopped, unless it is a large piece allowing safe removal.
When ripping boards longer than three feet, use a work
support at the rear of the saw to keep the workpiece
from falling off the saw table.
2. If the ripped work is less than 4 inches wide, a push
stick should always be used to complete the feed, as
shown in Fig. 41. The push stick can easily be made from
scrap
material
as
"CONSTRUCTING A PUSH STICK."
explained
in
the
section
A
A
64
C
B
Fig. 39A
B
Fig. 39B
Fig. 40
Fig. 41