Cutting Beveled Edges?

[Vulgar Soul]

Please share what you're personal method(s) was for cutting beveled angles on some of your wide interior panels.

I'm trying to figure it out, and I think I may jus take the huge plunge of buying a table saw for this. Is this the best solution or does anyone happen to have other good methods?

[shrunkenmaster]

For my Star Wars cab I used a chamfer bit in my router.

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=111768.0

[Rick]

As with Shrunken, I too use a 45 degree angle bit in my router.  I had to special order one that could cut a 45 degree in 3/4" MDF, and had a bearing at the bottom to track against the template.  For most cuts, however, a table saw is much, much easier.  I actually won a portable table saw that would accommodate an electric hand saw, and that's actually what I use for my cuts.

Hmm.  Perhaps a "Here is my toolbox" thread is in order. 

[Vulgar Soul]

I actually own a 45 degree chamfer, problem is, some of my panels need to be at very specific angles.

I don't know about y'all, but the end of my speaker and top panel (meeting up to the marquee area) is far from 45 degrees.

[yotsuya]

In that case, table saw.

[BobA]

They do make $120 table saws that will do the angle cuts you need.  They are not great for production as they are cheap and the guides are hard to set but for angled cuts they are great.

HF Table Saw

[miles2912]

My skill saw was able to tilt 45 degrees and I just used that with a straight edge.

[Vulgar Soul]

Okay I want to give a quick update on this.

Because I'm doin this project on a budget, and I only need to quickly cut bevels, I'm considering buying a quality worm drive circular saw, along with a nice straight edge - it's one of those expensive BORA ones with the built in, adjustable clamping system - instead of a full table saw. I figure those two combined can give me the same accuracy of a table saw and save me the $60-$70 I need for other things. But believe me, not even on a budget will I compromise the quality of my work. I don't plan to cheap out on anything if it would come at the expense of quality. I'm willing to wait or spend a lil extra if it means getting things done properly, but in this case it seems like I can get the same quality without the price tag.

Everyone here has had to achieve bevel cuts to join inside panels and properly mount their marquee. So what do all you experienced cabinet builders recommend this situation?

$300-$400 Table Saw, or $200 Worm Drive Circ Saw + $40 50" Bora Saw Guide?

[Rick]

$300-$400 Table Saw, or $200 Worm Drive Circ Saw + $40 50" Bora Saw Guide?

I'd go worm drive and guide, personally.  There are a lot of times where my stock is larger, and not as easy to handle.  This is when some wood chocks and a nice hand saw would come in handy.  I have a worm drive caw in my shed - but where, exactly, is a challenge.

[eds1275]

I've never had trouble with a circular saw, straight edge, and some clamps. I suppose the secret is test cuts on scrap. If one side it straight, cut the beveled edge first leaving it long, then cut the straight side. I use high quality thin blades and they cut really well since they aren't hogging out a lot of material.

My personal favourite blades are Freud Diablo.

[Rick]

I've never had trouble with a circular saw, straight edge, and some clamps. I suppose the secret is test cuts on scrap. If one side it straight, cut the beveled edge first leaving it long, then cut the straight side. I use high quality thin blades and they cut really well since they aren't hogging out a lot of material.

What tool would you recommend for cutting a 45 degree angle in 3/4" MDF, where there would be an 'arc' in the material?  I used my router with a huge 45 degree bit and bearing setup, and it did pretty good - until my router bit decided to come loose and 'drop' about 1/8", cutting into my template and carving out too much material from my piece.  Damn.  (I need to remember to CHECK the settings EVERY TIME.)

[eds1275]

What tool would you recommend for cutting a 45 degree angle in 3/4" MDF, where there would be an 'arc' in the material?

A 45 degree angle around a curve hmmm? Well tighten up that router bit for sure lol. That's probably your best bet. I'm no woodworking expert or anything but in the past when I have done angled cuts around a bend I've used a bandsaw. With a steady hand and a properly set up blade you could get pretty close. Although I no longer have access to a big one I have heard that the little ones are great except for the 9" depth from blade to post. Depending on how big of a piece it may be too awkward to control the cut and support the piece.

And finally I would try making a jig that holds a belt sander and has a 45 degree table slanting up towards. I've never heard of anyone doing this but in my head it makes sense.

[Vulgar Soul]

I have a question. What if you have to bevel an edge more than the standard 45-55 degree capacity of a power saw?

See, I have one panel that needs to be beveled at 60 degrees. I was thinkin of markin the angle and cuttin it carefully by eye with a hand saw. Any ideas?

[drventure]

A belt/disk sander with a tiltable table can do something like that.

or a router with a bevel bit and a template.

[eds1275]

I have a question. What if you have to bevel an edge more than the standard 45-55 degree capacity of a power saw?

See, I have one panel that needs to be beveled at 60 degrees. I was thinkin of markin the angle and cuttin it carefully by eye with a hand saw. Any ideas?

Flip it over and cut at 30 degrees!