200 Agricultural Mechanics and Technology Systems
Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
Today, few options exist to purchase a
radial arm saw because safer, more effi cient
methods of cutting lumber are available. Most
of the radial arm saws that are still in use are
found in professional woodworking shops.
Miter Saws
Miter saws have taken the place of
radial arm saws and portable circular
saws for crosscutting lumber on many job
sites. Miter saws consist of a circular saw
mounted on a pivot that is attached to a
stabilizing frame or table. If taken to the
job site, the saw may be used on a raised
surface such as a portable miter saw stand,
a workbench, or a trailer bed. It can also be
operated directly on the ground if needed.
Miter saws are available in three
common confi gurations. The simplest
version crosscuts lumber at 90° or down to
45° in either direction. A compound miter
saw, Figure 8-27, cuts all the same angles as
the basic version, and its motor and blade
can be rotated to cut a bevel in a secondary
plane as well. Sliding compound miter saws
operate on a short horizontal slide much
like the radial arm saw. See Figure 8-28. This increases
the capacity, and allows compound sliding miter saws
to cut wider boards than saws without a slide.
A portable miter saw can be permanently mounted
to a stationary stand if necessary. Miter saw stands can be
purchased or constructed. Either option should include
extensions of the saw base and fence to the left and the
right. When set up correctly, the extensions should safely
support long lumber as it is being cut and reduce the
need for a second person to catch long pieces. Miter
stands also include a method for securing a stop, or
built-in jig, for cutting multiple pieces to the same length.
The combination of a miter saw and jig shown in
Figure 8-29 eliminates the need to measure and mark
every piece, potentially saving huge amounts of time.
Band Saws
A band saw uses a continuous belt-like metal
blade that is driven around at least two pulleys to cut
material. The pulleys are wrapped with soft, rubber-
Guard
Blade
Fence
Angle
adjustment
Table
Base
Tilt
adjustment
Dust
collector
Motor
Handle
Trigger switch
Steve Bower/Shutterstock.com
Figure 8-27. The blade and motor of a miter saw pivot down into
the lumber to make the cut. The angle may be adjusted to most
common miters needed for framing and finish woodwork. On this
compound miter saw, the tilt of the blade can also be changed to
make bevel cuts.
PRILL/Shutterstock.com
Figure 8-28. The sliding mechanism of this sliding
compound miter saw enables the tool to make cuts
in wider lumber than a standard miter saw.