An angle guide on a table saw is a crucial accessory designed to make precise angled cuts, ranging from simple mitered edges to complex tapers. By accurately setting the desired angle, you can achieve clean and consistent results for various woodworking projects.
Understanding Angle Guides on a Table Saw
While the term "angle guide" can be broad, it primarily refers to two main tools used for making angled cuts on a table saw: the miter gauge and the taper guide (or taper jig). Each serves a distinct purpose and is used in different cutting scenarios.
Using a Miter Gauge for Crosscuts
The miter gauge is the most common type of angle guide, primarily used for cutting angles across the width of a workpiece (crosscuts).
Setup and Operation:
- Set the Angle: Loosen the locking knob on your miter gauge and adjust the fence to the desired angle. Most miter gauges have common positive stops (e.g., 0°, 22.5°, 45°, 90°) for quick setting. Use a digital angle finder for greater precision if needed.
- Lock the Angle: Once the angle is set, firmly tighten the locking knob to prevent any movement during the cut.
- Position the Workpiece: Place your workpiece flat on the table saw surface and press it firmly against the face of the miter gauge. Ensure the part of the board you want to keep is fully supported and won't fall after the cut.
- Align with the Blade: Slide the miter gauge forward until the blade aligns with your marked cut line. Ensure the blade depth is set correctly, usually about 1/8 to 1/4 inch above the top of the workpiece.
- Make the Cut: With both hands, or one hand on the workpiece and one on a push block (for smaller pieces), push the miter gauge and workpiece smoothly and steadily through the blade. Maintain firm contact against the miter gauge fence throughout the cut.
- Clear the Offcut: Allow the blade to come to a complete stop before removing the cut piece and the offcut.
Practical Tip:
Always attach a sacrificial fence to your miter gauge. This provides better support for the workpiece, helps reduce tear-out at the exit point of the blade, and prevents the blade from cutting into the miter gauge itself.
Using a Taper Guide for Rip Cuts and Tapers
A taper guide (or taper jig) is a specialized angle guide designed for making long, angled cuts along the length of a board, often used for creating tapered furniture legs or angled edges on larger panels. This method allows you to cut a consistent angle over a significant length, effectively functioning as a guide for angled rip cuts.
Setup and Operation for Taper Cuts:
- Mark Your Cut: Begin by marking the desired taper or angle directly onto your workpiece using a pencil. This line will serve as your visual guide.
- Position the Taper Guide: Place your taper guide onto the table saw. It's often designed to ride against the table saw fence. For precise cuts, position the taper guide firmly against the table saw fence, and then place your workpiece securely against the taper guide. Ensure the workpiece is stable and won't shift.
- Align with the Blade: With the taper guide and workpiece in position, carefully slide the entire fence assembly over until you can sight through your pencil line on the workpiece, aligning it perfectly with the saw blade. This critical alignment ensures your cut will follow your marked line precisely.
- Lock and Verify: Once the pencil line and blade are aligned, lock the table saw fence securely in place. Double-check your setup and the alignment of the line with the blade before proceeding.
- Make the Cut: Guide the taper guide and workpiece smoothly through the saw blade. Keep the taper guide pressed firmly against the fence throughout the cut.
- Retrieve: Once the cut is complete, allow the blade to stop before removing the workpiece and the tapered offcut.
Example Applications:
Taper guides are indispensable for projects requiring consistent angles over length, such as crafting custom chair legs, tapering table legs, or creating angled decorative trim pieces.
Essential Safety and Setup Tips
Regardless of the type of angle guide you're using, adhering to safety protocols and proper setup is paramount:
- Calibration: Regularly check the accuracy of your miter gauge against a known square (e.g., a high-quality machinist square) to ensure it's cutting true 90-degree and 45-degree angles. Adjust if necessary.
- Blade Selection: Use the appropriate table saw blade for your material. A crosscut blade is ideal for miter gauge cuts, while a rip blade is better suited for taper cuts.
- Clearance: Ensure there are no obstructions in the path of the miter gauge or taper guide, and that the workpiece has sufficient clearance around the blade.
- Push Sticks/Blocks: Always use push sticks or blocks to keep your hands a safe distance from the spinning blade, especially when cutting smaller pieces or when finishing a cut.
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Always wear safety glasses or a face shield, and hearing protection when operating a table saw.
- Featherboards: For taper cuts, featherboards can be used to hold the workpiece firmly against the fence, providing consistent pressure and preventing kickback.
Comparison of Angle Guides
To help differentiate, here's a brief comparison between the two main types of angle guides:
| Feature | Miter Gauge | Taper Guide |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Use | Crosscuts, short angled cuts across board width | Rip cuts, long angled cuts along board length, tapers |
| Cut Direction | Across the grain (typically) | With or across the grain (depending on taper orientation) |
| Setup | Adjust angle on gauge, push in miter slot | Align workpiece with blade, adjust fence with guide |
| Accuracy | Excellent for crosscuts | Excellent for consistent long tapers and angled rips |
| Examples | Picture frames, cabinet face frames, trim | Table legs, chair legs, long angled panels |
Advanced Considerations
For larger angled crosscuts, especially on wide panels that exceed the capacity of a standard miter gauge, a crosscut sled is often the preferred angle guide. A well-built crosscut sled can incorporate adjustable fences to allow for extremely precise and repeatable angled cuts on broader workpieces, offering superior support and safety.
For more detailed information on table saw safety, which is crucial for any operation involving angle guides, you can consult resources like Fine Woodworking's Table Saw Safety Guide.
