Chapter 21 Processes Used to Separate Wood Materials 321
then sliding it toward or away from the blade. If the
fence is moved closer to the blade, a narrower width
cut will be made if moved away, a wider cut will
result. Once the fence is positioned for the proper
width of cut, the lever is used to lock it in place.
The stock is fed by hand into the blade. During
ripping, the stock is pushed against the fence, and
forward into the blade. If the stock is too narrow
to be safely guided through by hand, a push stick
should be used to keep the operator’s hands away
from the rotating blade.
When using the table saw to make cuts across
the grain, a miter gauge is required. The fence is
removed or moved out of the work area. A miter
gauge is then placed in a slot in the table. The board is
placed against the miter gauge, so that it runs across
the table (perpendicular to the blade). The stock is
shifted left or right, so that the correct amount of
material will be cut off by the blade.
Whether crosscutting or ripping, be sure to
avoid standing directly behind the stock that is
being removed. Sometimes kickback occurs, propel-
ling loose stock violently backward. The stock being
kicked back could cause a serious injury. Kickback
most often occurs when ripping. Most saws are
equipped with an anti-kickback device to eliminate
this problem.
Radial Arm Saws
The radial arm saw is another type of circular
sawing machine. While the table saw has its blade
mounted beneath the table, the blade on the radial
arm saw is carried on a horizontal arbor suspended
on an arm above the worktable. See Figure 21-20.
Radial arm saws are normally used for crosscut-
ting, particularly trimming boards to length. Most
of the cutting processes performed on the table saw
can also be done on the radial arm saw. The radial
arm saw is particularly handy when crosscutting
long stock that would be unwieldy to work with on
a table saw.
Another interesting feature of the radial arm saw
is its capability of being used for purposes other than
sawing. The blade can be replaced with a sanding
disc for sanding or an abrasive wheel for grinding.
When cutting on the radial arm saw, the stock
is held securely against a stop-type fence located
at the rear of the saw table. The saw head is then
pulled across the stock, toward the operator. Radial
arm saws are classified by the size of the saw blade
and the horsepower rating of the motor. Radial saws
normally are from 8″ to 14″ (20.3 cm to 35.5 cm) in
diameter, with 10″ (25.4 cm) the most common size.
Miter Saws
The miter saw is similar to the cutoff saw, but
has the capability of cutting stock (especially trim and
molding) at an angle from the vertical, as well as moving
through a 90° arc horizontally. See Figure 21-21. The
miter saw is attached to a spring-loaded arm, which
raises the saw until the operator pulls it down. Most
cutoff and miter saws use 10″ (25.4 cm) blades some
use 8 1/2″ (21.6 cm) blades.
Figure 21-19. Table saws can be used to rip or crosscut
stock. In this photo, a laminated countertop of particleboard
and plastic is being trimmed.
Figure 21-20. In addition to duplicating most of the
functions of a table saw, the radial arm saw can also be
used as a sander or grinder by replacing the blade with the
appropriate accessory. (Black and Decker)
then sliding it toward or away from the blade. If the
fence is moved closer to the blade, a narrower width
cut will be made if moved away, a wider cut will
result. Once the fence is positioned for the proper
width of cut, the lever is used to lock it in place.
The stock is fed by hand into the blade. During
ripping, the stock is pushed against the fence, and
forward into the blade. If the stock is too narrow
to be safely guided through by hand, a push stick
should be used to keep the operator’s hands away
from the rotating blade.
When using the table saw to make cuts across
the grain, a miter gauge is required. The fence is
removed or moved out of the work area. A miter
gauge is then placed in a slot in the table. The board is
placed against the miter gauge, so that it runs across
the table (perpendicular to the blade). The stock is
shifted left or right, so that the correct amount of
material will be cut off by the blade.
Whether crosscutting or ripping, be sure to
avoid standing directly behind the stock that is
being removed. Sometimes kickback occurs, propel-
ling loose stock violently backward. The stock being
kicked back could cause a serious injury. Kickback
most often occurs when ripping. Most saws are
equipped with an anti-kickback device to eliminate
this problem.
Radial Arm Saws
The radial arm saw is another type of circular
sawing machine. While the table saw has its blade
mounted beneath the table, the blade on the radial
arm saw is carried on a horizontal arbor suspended
on an arm above the worktable. See Figure 21-20.
Radial arm saws are normally used for crosscut-
ting, particularly trimming boards to length. Most
of the cutting processes performed on the table saw
can also be done on the radial arm saw. The radial
arm saw is particularly handy when crosscutting
long stock that would be unwieldy to work with on
a table saw.
Another interesting feature of the radial arm saw
is its capability of being used for purposes other than
sawing. The blade can be replaced with a sanding
disc for sanding or an abrasive wheel for grinding.
When cutting on the radial arm saw, the stock
is held securely against a stop-type fence located
at the rear of the saw table. The saw head is then
pulled across the stock, toward the operator. Radial
arm saws are classified by the size of the saw blade
and the horsepower rating of the motor. Radial saws
normally are from 8″ to 14″ (20.3 cm to 35.5 cm) in
diameter, with 10″ (25.4 cm) the most common size.
Miter Saws
The miter saw is similar to the cutoff saw, but
has the capability of cutting stock (especially trim and
molding) at an angle from the vertical, as well as moving
through a 90° arc horizontally. See Figure 21-21. The
miter saw is attached to a spring-loaded arm, which
raises the saw until the operator pulls it down. Most
cutoff and miter saws use 10″ (25.4 cm) blades some
use 8 1/2″ (21.6 cm) blades.
Figure 21-19. Table saws can be used to rip or crosscut
stock. In this photo, a laminated countertop of particleboard
and plastic is being trimmed.
Figure 21-20. In addition to duplicating most of the
functions of a table saw, the radial arm saw can also be
used as a sander or grinder by replacing the blade with the
appropriate accessory. (Black and Decker)