and the saw blade is pulled through the material. This makes it easier to cut long lumber into shorter lengths. Material may be too long or heavy to control on some stationary saws. You could cut it to rough size first with a portable circular saw. Full-size sheets of plywood, particleboard, or other com- posite materials are best cut on either a horizontal or vertical panel saw. Table saws with accessories that extend the capacity of the table may also be used. Some of these accessories are discussed in Chapter 38. 23.3 Tilting-Arbor Table Saw A tilting-arbor table saw has either a left-tilting arbor or a right-tilting arbor, depending on manufac- turer and model. Some manufacturers make both. The tilting-arbor table saw is also known as a table saw, circular saw, or variety saw. It has the following major components: • Horizontal table on a machine frame. • Circular blade that extends up through a table insert. • Tilting arbor that adjusts the blade angle from 0° to 45°. • Motor. There are several features on a table saw. See Figure 23-1. The blade-raising device changes the blade height. It is usually a handwheel. A tilting device changes the blade angle. It is also usually a handwheel. The tilt scale displays the blade angle. Most blade-control handwheels have a lock knob to prevent them from moving, once set. The switch should be within easy reach at the front of the table. On newer machines, the on switch is often recessed into the switch plate. This prevents the machine from accidentally being turned on if someone bumps into the switch plate. The off switch is above or next to the switch plate and may be larger for ease of operation. Key-type switches can keep inexperienced operators from running the machine, assuming the key is removed and access to the key is controlled. Saw manufacturers may offer additional acces- sories to complement their basic machines. Other manufacturers, called aftermarket providers, offer many accessories that may provide for greater capacity, improved accuracy, and easier material handling. Additional benefits of these accesso- ries are improved safety, and increased efficiency. Several aftermarket accessories are discussed in Chapter 38. Working Knowledge Measure accurately. Cabinetmakers are often reminded to “measure twice, cut once.” Remember to check the hook on the end of your tape measure often, especially if it has been dropped. The hook can get bent, resulting in an inaccurate reading. 23.1 Handedness Problems with machine operations can be caused by handedness. This refers to whether the user is left or right-handed. In this book, right-handed setups and operations are illustrated. A left-handed person may follow them as shown, or reverse the setups. However, some sawing operations should be set up one way. An example is beveling with the table saw. It is described later in the chapter. 23.2 Sawing Straight Lines Sawing straight lines is a standard operation for reducing stock to workpiece dimensions. Saw- ing stock square (all corners are 90°) is essential to produce high-quality products. Blade selection is also important. You may be sawing solid wood or composite materials, such as plywood or MDF pan- els. The proper blade often depends on whether the material has grain or not. The most accurate straight-line sawing is done on equipment having a circular saw blade. The diameter of the blade helps keep the cut straight. Sta- tionary power saws that use a circular blade include the tilting-arbor table saw, tilting table saw, horizon- tal and vertical panel saw, beam saw, and radial arm saw. Other specialized stationary machines, such as straight-line rip saws and cutoff saws, use circular blades, but are not discussed here. The maximum recommended blade diameter that can be installed is determined by machine size. Blades vary from 8″ to 16″ (203 mm to 406 mm) or more, with 10″ (254 mm) being most common for table saws. Material is guided past the blade on tilting- arbor saws or tilting table saws. You must support the material before and after the cut. The saw table may be large enough to do the supporting. However, for long stock or full sheets of manufactured panels, obtain additional supports, such as table extensions, rollers, sliding tables, or another person. The radial arm saw has an advantage over table saws for sup- porting stock. The material is placed on the table 372 Section 4 Machining Processes Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.