Cutting A 45 Degree Angle With A Table Saw

Since a table saw s blade can also be set for angles up to 45 degrees the miter gauge allows your saw to make many of the compound cuts that are normally reserved for a compound miter saw or radial arm saw.

Cutting a 45 degree angle with a table saw.

The saw blade will try to pull it off line. When everything is set you ll start the table saw and make the perfect angled cut. Adjust the angle of the blade. Then make the fine cuts on your material.

Start by setting the miter gauge to 45 degrees photo 1. The real problem with beveling on a right tilt saw is that the fence typically only has about 12 of travel to the left of the blade. Make sure the saw cuts cleanly through each piece. If they do not match up well you may need to calibrate your saw again or re square it.

First place a piece of scrap wood on the table and saw it at your 45 degree angle. Most table saws come with miter gauges but there are also specialized and highly precise after market miter gauges you can buy. If you re cutting a 45 degree angle cut 2 different pieces and try to fit them together. Choose a couple of pieces of scrap wood then cut them like you plan on cutting the wood for your project.

Saw a second piece of scrap wood and then compare how the edges fit together with the first sawed pieces. Hold your material very tight. In this video i am cutting the pieces for my cedar boxes at 45 degrees on my table saw. Cut a scrap piece of wood to 45 degrees.

The cut quality made using the table saw and taper guide can t be beat. Make the angled cut. If the width of the wood is larger than the height of the saw blade you may want to use a band saw to cut the wood. This will create miter joints for the boxes to fit together.

Make adjustments as needed. Depending on your table saw you can adjust the angle of the blade in the range of 45 in either side of the table left or right. With a right tilt saw this approach generally dictates working with the rip fence to the left of the blade which can feel a bit awkward at first but you get used to it. Once the angle has been set you will need to lower the blade down till only about 25 of the blade stays above the level of the table.