How to Cut Maple With a Table Saw

Crosscutting

• 1

  Measure the lumber to determine the length of the piece you wish to end up with. Mark that point with your pencil.

• 2

  Place your square across the wood and draw a line that passes directly across the pencil mark you made. This is the line along which you will make your cut.

• 3

  Slip the miter gauge into the groove in the top of the saw table. Adjust the angle to 0 degrees, enabling you to make a straight cut.

• 4

  Loosen the locking lever on the rip fence and slide it away from the saw blade. This will prevent the lumber you intend to cut from striking it.

• 5

  Lay your piece of maple upon the saw table and press it against the face of the miter gauge. Slide the gauge forward until the blade edge barely makes contact with the wood. The saw should not be on.

• 6

  Align the pencil mark so that the edge of the blade will cut just beyond it. If you cut off the portion where the mark is drawn, the piece may be too short. When you finish the cut, the line should be barely visible along the edge.

• 7

  Slide the gauge back. Put on your safety glasses and start the saw. Wait until the saw reaches maximum speed.

• 8

  Grasp the handle on the miter gauge with one hand, while pressing your other hand down on the wood. Keep your fingers well away from the blade.

• 9

  Slide the gauge forward, letting the blade engage the wood. Push forward gently, allowing the blade to do the work.

• 10

  Continue pushing forward on the miter gauge until the blade has cut through the wood. Slide the miter gauge back. Turn off the saw.

Ripping

• 11

  Determine the width of the piece you wish to cut.

• 12

  Slide the rip fence toward the blade. Measure from the front of the blade to the fence and from the back of the blade to the fence. Adjust the fence until the distances match, meaning it is exactly parallel to the side of the blade. Press the rip fence's locking lever down to secure it.

• 13

  Place your maple atop the saw table with one edge against the rip fence. Push it forward until it makes contact with the blade. The saw should be off.

• 14

  Attach your featherboard to the the fence using the clamps. The bottom should be barely above the wood. It is designed to prevent the wood from lifting upward as it passes the blade.

• 15

  Slide the wood back. Put on your safety glasses and start the saw. Wait until it reaches maximum speed.

• 16

  Slide the wood forward until the blade begins cutting. Use your push stick against the back of the wood to keep your fingers well away from the blade. Push the wood forward until the saw completes the cut and your maple has been ripped.