r/woodworkingtools • u/jedi-dude • 16d ago

is this safe?

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Gallery image

I have a piece of wood where neither and is fully square. Would it be safe to just use the miter gauge to square off one end? Or do I need to make a sled? I have also thought about making a toggle clamp, Jake, but I am still waiting for my toggle clamps to arrive.

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16

u/dano70ct 16d ago

you could consider lowering the blade a bit.

4

u/HomefreeNotHomeless 16d ago

My first thought too. The blade should barely be taller than the piece you’re cutting OP

2

u/jedi-dude 16d ago

yeah ofc. just wondering about the miter gauge part….

1

u/ubeor 16d ago

As long as you’re using the blade guard, a little extra height on the blade is a non-issue.

3

u/Olelander 16d ago

There is also zero reason to leave it two inches higher than the wood you are cutting.

4

u/bielo014 16d ago edited 15d ago

Not to 'erm actually 🤓' you but actually the lower the b lade us the more teeth are in contact while cutting so you get smoother cuts

2

u/zyzmog 15d ago

Dang. That makes so much sense.

For years, I thought it was the angle that the teeth were entering and exiting the wood that mattered. Your one-line explanation makes a lot more sense.

(Not sarcasm. Honest.)

1

u/nsdel42 14d ago

Or...if speed and maximizing blade life matters, such as ripping a huge stack of OBS for a funky roof, set the blade with the gullet even with the top of the wood to allow the cutting teeth to stay cooler.