Cutting A 45 Degree Angle With A Table Saw

When everything is set you ll start the table saw and make the perfect angled cut.

Cutting a 45 degree angle with a table saw.

Mount an extension fence moving it toward the blade far enough to cut the end at a 45 degree angle photo 2. This will create miter joints for the boxes to fit together. If you re cutting a 45 degree angle cut 2 different pieces and try to fit them together. Set the piece of wood onto the scrap piece and adjust the table for the band saw to the angle measurement minus 45 to make the cut.

Make the angled cut. Saw a second piece of scrap wood and then compare how the edges fit together with the first sawed pieces. If they do not match up well you may need to calibrate your saw again or re square it. The saw blade will try to pull it off line.

The cut quality made using the table saw and taper guide can t be beat. Adjust the angle of the blade. 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. 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.

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. 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. First place a piece of scrap wood on the table and saw it at your 45 degree angle. Then make the fine cuts on your material.

Make sure the saw cuts cleanly through each piece. Make adjustments as needed. Most table saws come with miter gauges but there are also specialized and highly precise after market miter gauges you can buy. 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.

In this video i am cutting the pieces for my cedar boxes at 45 degrees on my table saw. Choose a couple of pieces of scrap wood then cut them like you plan on cutting the wood for your project. Start by setting the miter gauge to 45 degrees photo 1. 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.