Crosscutting Extra Wide Material Material widths up to twice the saw’s travel dis- tance can be cut. Attach a stop to the fence at the desired length. Support the panel if it might tip. Cut across the material as far as possible. Return the blade to its column position. Turn the workpiece over and finish the cut. Saws with 24″ (610 mm) travel will cut 48″ (1220 mm) wide sheet material in two passes. Mitering Make miter cuts by rotating the saw arm to the right or left. See Figure 23-35. Most saws pivot to 45° both ways. Right-hand miters (arm angled to right) are preferred. The motor does not obstruct your view of the cut. Install crosscut blades for miters. Cut a test board first to make adjustments to measure- ments and stops. Safety Note Use caution when cutting warped boards on a radial arm saw. Crook should be placed with the convex edge toward the fence. Bowed boards should be placed on the table with the concave side facing up. See Figure 23-36. Patrick A. Molzahn Figure 23-33. The stop positions stock for sawing multiple parts to length. The stop is calibrated by adjusting the bolt, and can be used to the left or right of the blade. Patrick A. Molzahn Figure 23-35. Compound mitering with the radial arm saw. Goodheart-Willcox Publisher Figure 23-34. If a stop is not available, clamp a block of wood to the fence. Raise it slightly to allow dust and chips to pass under. Adjustable bolt Read measurement here Workpiece Stop block Allow space for wood chips Table Fence Hand screw or C-clamp Kerfing By raising the blade above the table approxi- mately 1/16″ to 1/8″ (1.5 mm to 3 mm), stock can be kerfed for radius work. A series of grooves are cut in close proximity to each other through solid stock or panel material, making the material flexible and able to bend to a tight radius. See Figure 23-37. Beveling The radial arm saw motor and blade assembly tilts 45° left and right for beveling. See Figure 23-38. Select the proper blade for the operation you intend to perform. Protecting the Table Each different saw setting makes another kerf mark in the saw table. This is because the saw blade must be positioned at least 1/16″ (2 mm) below the table surface for through cuts. Over time, the kerfs resulting from different settings make the table rough. Resurface the table by 388 Section 4 Machining Processes Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.