Table saws are an incredibly versatile tool in any workshop, and with a little practice, you can cut some really intricate shapes and angles. This blog post will show you how to make a 60-degree angle with your table saw.
In simple words, to cut a 60-degree angle on a table saw, first, set the blade of your table saw to 30 degrees. Then, cut along the length and width of your workpiece. Finally, rotate the workpiece 60 degrees and make another cut along the length of the workpiece.
Remember that you can use the same method for any angle. Simply adjust the measurements accordingly. Lets get started!
It depends on what type of table saw you are using. For more information, consult your manual. Usually it involves putting the rip fence in place and then moving the pieces forward so they overlap slightly.
Since this is just a reference guide for novice woodworkers, we wont get too much into the specificsjust take note of how much overlap you need when performing your test cuts.
Step 1: Measure
First, choose the wood that you wish to use. Next, cut the piece to the required dimensions. Once your wood has been cut to the right size, place it flat on a stable table or work surface and measure its height.
Be sure to allow for the thickness of the saw blade youll be using, plus an additional 1/20 cm or more. Mark this measurement on the end of your board for reference.
Next, measure another piece of wood to the same dimensions as your first board. Reduce it so it’s exactly the same width as your first board.
Step 2: Layout
Once you have both boards measured, lay them flat on top of each other with their edges touching.
Step 3 – Glue
Once the two boards are touching along their entire length, they can be glued together to form a single piece. Make sure that the top board is oriented so that its exactly twice as wide as the bottom board.
When you are cutting angles, this will allow you to draw a line on your table saw fence that will indicate where each cut should start and end. Before you continue with the project, let the glue dry.
Step 4 – Prepare Fence Fixture
We recommend that you prepare a fixture to make it easier to attach and remove your workpiece without needing to alter or mess with your table saw setup each time you cut an angle.
A fixture is simply a scrap piece of wood with two slots. The outer slot should be slightly larger than your workpiece. It should also be deep enough so that your saws can rip fence the edge by at least 1/20cm when turning around the corner.
The inner slot should be wide enough to allow the table saw blade through.
Step 5 – Make A Test Cut
Make a few test cuts before you start cutting on the actual piece. This will allow you to see how much pressure is needed to get each cut through without jamming.
Weve found that it helps to keep your test cuts relatively shallow because this makes it easier to detect any binding that might be caused by slight misalignments when making wider cuts with your workpiece.
Also, if youre working in an enclosed space like a garage, do yourself a favor and unplug the saw when making these test cuts; nothing is worse than having shavings or splinters fly into your face after accidentally hitting the trigger for just one second too long.
Step 6: Cut Angles
When cutting angles, take your time and remember that the saw blade can pull the workpiece slightly when it spins. This means that youll need to help guide your workpiece into place and apply more pressure than you normally would when simply ripping a straight line along one side of the table saw fence.
By passing each angle through the rip fence once, you can cut it at the exact same time. If this is done correctly, both pieces of wood should come out completely intact with no cracking or splintering whatsoever. If either piece comes out split or torn up, however, this likely means that not enough pressure was applied along its length.
You may need to adjust the saw blade or rip the fence to ensure it cuts straight. Each piece will take approximately 10 seconds to cut once you have mastered the pressure required.
Step 7: Clean Up Edges
Once all of your angles have been cut out, clean up any rough or splintered edges with sandpaper or a plane. You should also run through each angle with an orbital sander to make sure its completely smooth before moving on to the next step.
Step 8: Sand And Finish Angles
Once each angle is sanded, it’s ready to be stained/painted or sanded again. This step can be skipped if you plan to paint them. To show you how they will look when completed, we stained some with walnut wood stain and left others unfinished.
Steps To Cut The Angle Accurately
Here are the steps:
- Make a 45-degree angle at the end of your board
- Flip over and cut the opposite 45-degree angle on the other end (this step is not necessary if youre cutting out squares or rectangles and plan to sand and finish them afterward)
- Attach your workpiece to a piece of scrap wood with clamps; make sure this piece of scrap wood has two slots in it.
- Carefully guide your workpiece through both sides, making sure that your saw blade passes through each slot. It should be clear when its done correctly because your scrap wood will come out a split in half instead of torn up like when the blade binds:
- Trim off any rough edges and sand/finish as desired (optional).
Another trick we found that helped us avoid damaging our blade or ripping up our wood was using a pair of vice grips to clamp onto the edge of the metal table in order to help guide our workpiece in.
Also, just an FYI: all of these cuts were done on a Bosch 25 cm Job Site Saw, which is similar to this one. The steps are the same regardless of the model, even though they may be different.
Tips To Prevent Tear-Out And Achieve A Smooth Finish
- Use downward pressure to pass the workpiece through.
- If you find that your wood is tearing out or leaving behind splinters, try tightening the blade by turning it counter clockwise 1/8 to 1/4 turn.
- If your wood is cracking while youre passing it through, try loosening the blade by turning it clockwise 1/8 to 1/4 turn.
- Sanding or chiselling the edges will make the angles look more polished and professional; although this step can be skipped if you plan on painting them as we did.
- You can make two passes at each cut if you are having trouble with the blade binding to or tearing your workpiece.
- It should take you about 10 seconds to get each angle cut once you have this down.
Conclusion
I’ve shown you how to make a 60-degree angle with your table saw.
FAQs:
Q: Whats The Best Way To Cut A 60-degree Angle On A Table Saw?
A: The best way to cut a 60-degree angle on a table saw is by using a chisel and following the manufacturers instructions.
Q: How Can I Cut A 60 Degree Angle On A Tablesaw?
A: Other ways to cut 60 degrees on a tablesaw include using a miter gauge, jig, and multiple passes with the blade at different angles.
Q: What Should I Consider When Cutting A 60-degree Angle On A Tablesaw?
A: When cutting a 60 degree angle on a tablesaw, there are two things you need to remember. First, make sure that the blade is sharp. Second, ensure that the fence is at the right angle. It is important to use a pushstick or another safety device to keep your fingers away from the blade.
