CROSSCUTS
Cutting of multiple pieces is not recommended but can
be done safely by ensuring that each piece is held firmly
against the table and fence. When the saw comes up to
speed (about 1 second) lower the arm smoothly and slowly
to cut through the wood. Let the blade come to a full stop
before raising arm.
A crosscut is made by cutting wood across the grain at
any angle. A straight crosscut is made with the miter arm
at the zero degree position. Set and lock the miter arm at
zero, hold the wood firmly on the table and against the
fence. With the rail lock knob tightened, turn on the saw by
squeezing the trigger switch shown in Figure 4.
When the saw comes up to speed (about 1 second) lower
the arm smoothly and slowly to cut through the wood. Let
the blade come to a full stop before raising arm.
When cutting anything larger than a 2 x 8 (2 x 6 at
45º miter) use an out-down-back motion with the rail lock
knob loosened. Pull the saw out, toward you, lower the
saw head down toward the workpiece, and slowly push
the saw back to complete the cut. Do not allow the saw to
contact the top of the workpiece while pulling out. The saw
may run toward you, possibly causing personal injury or
damage to the workpiece.
Note: To provide greater crosscut capacity with reduced
stroke the blade on the DW718 extends deeper into the
table. As a result a greater lifting force on the workpiece
may be experienced during the cut.
CAUTION: Always use a work clamp to maintain control
and reduce the risk of workpiece damage and personal
injury.
NOTE: The rail lock knob shown in Figure 4 must be loose
to allow the saw to slide along its rails.
Miter crosscuts are made with the miter arm at some angle
other than zero. This angle is often 45º for making corners,
but can be set anywhere from zero to 50º left or right.
Make the cut as described above.
When cutting wider workpieces wider than a 2 x 6 that are
shorter in length, always place the longer side against the
fence (Fig. 12).
BEVEL CUTS
A bevel cut is a crosscut made with the saw blade at an
angle to the wood. In order to set the bevel, loosen the
bevel lock handle, lift the bevel latch lever, Figure 4, and
move the saw to the left or right as desired. (It is necessary
to move the fence to allow clearance). Once the desired
bevel angle has been set, tighten the bevel clamp handle
firmly.
Bevel angles can be set from 48º right to48º left and can
be cut with the miter arm set between 50º right or 60º left.
At some extreme angles, the right or left side fence might
have to be removed. To remove the left or right fence,
unscrew the Fence Adjustment Knob several turns and
slide the fence out.
FIG. 11
FIG. 12
QUALITY OF CUT
The smoothness of any cut depends on a number of variables.
Things like material being cut, blade type, blade sharpness
and rate of cut all contribute to the quality of the cut.
When smoothest cuts are desired for molding and other
precision work, a sharp (60 tooth carbide) blade and a
slower, even cutting rate will produce the desired results.
Ensure that material does not creep while cutting, clamp it
securely in place. Always let the blade come to a full stop
before raising arm.
If small fibers of wood still split out at the rear of the work-
piece, stick a piece of masking tape on the wood where
the cut will be made. Saw through the tape and carefully
remove tape when finished.
For varied cutting applications, refer to the list of recom-
10
10
FIG. 13A
PROPER CUT
FIG. 13B
IMPROPER CUT
mended saw blades for your saw and select the one that
best fits your needs (page 5).
BODY AND HAND POSITION (FIG. 13A)
Proper positioning of your body and hands when operating
the miter saw will make cutting easier, more accurate and
safer. Never place hands near cutting area. Place hands
no closer than 6" (152.4 mm) from the blade. Hold the
workpiece tightly to the table and the fence when cutting.
Keep hands in position until the trigger has been released
and the blade has completely stopped. ALWAYS MAKE
DRY RUNS (UNPOWERED) BEFORE FINISH CUTS SO
THAT YOU CAN CHECK THE PATH OF THE BLADE. DO
NOT CROSS HANDS, AS SHOWN IN FIGURE 13B.