I was cutting through a small box, abot 10" L by 6" W on a table saw.
Whoever saw the procedure from Freedman's book on box making, that's
about what I was doing: Make a cut on long side, tape it, shim it, do
the other long side, tape it, shim it , and then do the short sides.
Problem is, the cut on the short side cuts into the already cut long
side - in other words, I can't get the flush cut after cutting all four
sides. The fence didn't move, I tried both ripping and crosscutting
blades (Freud, so that shouldn't be the issue). I also used a jig,
similar to the one for tennon cutting, to provide adequate support.
Basically, the only reason I can think of is that the box surface that
presses against the fence during the cut is not perfectly flat,
preventing the flush cut on all sides. Can you think of anything else
causing this?
[email protected] wrote:
> I was cutting through a small box, abot 10" L by 6" W on a table saw.
> Whoever saw the procedure from Freedman's book on box making, that's
> about what I was doing: Make a cut on long side, tape it, shim it, do
> the other long side, tape it, shim it , and then do the short sides.
> Problem is, the cut on the short side cuts into the already cut long
> side - in other words, I can't get the flush cut after cutting all four
> sides. The fence didn't move, I tried both ripping and crosscutting
> blades (Freud, so that shouldn't be the issue). I also used a jig,
> similar to the one for tennon cutting, to provide adequate support.
> Basically, the only reason I can think of is that the box surface that
> presses against the fence during the cut is not perfectly flat,
> preventing the flush cut on all sides. Can you think of anything else
> causing this?
You might try this: Don't cut all the way through the box with your
table saw. It sounds like the shims you're putting in may be the
culprit putting things out of alignment. If you make your cut about a
1/16 of an inch shallow and finish it with a dovetail or thin kerf
japanese saw, it should solve the problem. You'll have to do a little
extra sanding on the edges, but it should be minimal.
[email protected] wrote:
> I was cutting through a small box, abot 10" L by 6" W on a table saw.
> Whoever saw the procedure from Freedman's book on box making, that's
> about what I was doing: Make a cut on long side, tape it, shim it, do
> the other long side, tape it, shim it , and then do the short sides.
> Problem is, the cut on the short side cuts into the already cut long
> side - in other words, I can't get the flush cut after cutting all four
> sides. The fence didn't move, I tried both ripping and crosscutting
> blades (Freud, so that shouldn't be the issue). I also used a jig,
> similar to the one for tennon cutting, to provide adequate support.
> Basically, the only reason I can think of is that the box surface that
> presses against the fence during the cut is not perfectly flat,
> preventing the flush cut on all sides. Can you think of anything else
> causing this?
<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>I was cutting through a small box, abot 10" L by 6" W on a table saw.
> Whoever saw the procedure from Freedman's book on box making, that's
> about what I was doing: Make a cut on long side, tape it, shim it, do
> the other long side, tape it, shim it , and then do the short sides.
> Problem is, the cut on the short side cuts into the already cut long
> side - in other words, I can't get the flush cut after cutting all four
> sides. The fence didn't move, I tried both ripping and crosscutting
> blades (Freud, so that shouldn't be the issue). I also used a jig,
> similar to the one for tennon cutting, to provide adequate support.
> Basically, the only reason I can think of is that the box surface that
> presses against the fence during the cut is not perfectly flat,
> preventing the flush cut on all sides. Can you think of anything else
> causing this?
>
As you pointed out, the position of the cut is based on the relative
position of the top and the fence.
Use a sled - not the fence. In addition, as Martin pointed out, don't cut
all the way through and finish it with a flush saw and a plane.
Dave
Leon wrote:
>...if the fence is not perfectly parallel to the blade.
Thanks to all for their suggestions, however, as it turned out, this
was the problem. When I re-aligned the fence, the cut went almost
perfectly flush. The fence was misaligned a degree or two, enough to
screw up the cut. I did align it a few weeks ago, but didn't think I
had to do it this often. From now on, I'll check the alignment before
each important cut.
On 17 Aug 2006 20:19:41 -0700, [email protected] wrote:
>I was cutting through a small box, abot 10" L by 6" W on a table saw.
>Whoever saw the procedure from Freedman's book on box making, that's
>about what I was doing: Make a cut on long side, tape it, shim it, do
>the other long side, tape it, shim it , and then do the short sides.
>Problem is, the cut on the short side cuts into the already cut long
>side - in other words, I can't get the flush cut after cutting all four
>sides. The fence didn't move, I tried both ripping and crosscutting
>blades (Freud, so that shouldn't be the issue). I also used a jig,
>similar to the one for tennon cutting, to provide adequate support.
>Basically, the only reason I can think of is that the box surface that
>presses against the fence during the cut is not perfectly flat,
>preventing the flush cut on all sides. Can you think of anything else
>causing this?
As others recommended, partial depth cuts should do it, if the fence/blade/table
are all correctly aligned..
OTOH, jobs like this are why they make band saws.. *g*
Mac
https://home.comcast.net/~mac.davis
https://home.comcast.net/~mac.davis/wood_stuff.htm
<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> Leon wrote:
>
>>...if the fence is not perfectly parallel to the blade.
>
> Thanks to all for their suggestions, however, as it turned out, this
> was the problem. When I re-aligned the fence, the cut went almost
> perfectly flush. The fence was misaligned a degree or two, enough to
> screw up the cut. I did align it a few weeks ago, but didn't think I
> had to do it this often. From now on, I'll check the alignment before
> each important cut.
>
If you are having to align the fence that often and really enjoying wood
working I strongly suggest that you upgrade your fence. It has be a few
years since I have had to realign my fence. You will not believe how much
of an improvement that will make.
<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>I was cutting through a small box, abot 10" L by 6" W on a table saw.
> Whoever saw the procedure from Freedman's book on box making, that's
> about what I was doing: Make a cut on long side, tape it, shim it, do
> the other long side, tape it, shim it , and then do the short sides.
> Problem is, the cut on the short side cuts into the already cut long
> side - in other words, I can't get the flush cut after cutting all four
> sides. The fence didn't move, I tried both ripping and crosscutting
> blades (Freud, so that shouldn't be the issue). I also used a jig,
> similar to the one for tennon cutting, to provide adequate support.
> Basically, the only reason I can think of is that the box surface that
> presses against the fence during the cut is not perfectly flat,
> preventing the flush cut on all sides. Can you think of anything else
> causing this?
>
What you stated and also if the fence is not perfectly parallel to the
blade.