45 degree cuts

[SavannahLion]

OK I'm a little mystified by this. I thought I asked about this once but I can't find the post. How are mating 45 degree cuts done? Like what you see with picture frames? I've experimented with scrap and I'm always off by a couple of degrees no matter how much I tweak the damn table so I guess I have to accept my wifes table saw is out of calibration (and no way my Orange Monster will cut that. That's a technique that died with my father.) Is there an easy way to calibrate my wifes TS or can I accomplish same with my Skil or the radial arm? (ok, maybe not the radial, it's not the right tool.)

My old bandsaw is in storage so I'm not 100% certain the table can be adjusted. My Dremel table is too small and the belt is toast so that's out.

Ideas?

[BobA]

I make mine with a mitre saw.   Angle can be adusted in 2 dimensions and the saw can be fine tuned.

[cowtown]

OK I'm a little mystified by this. I thought I asked about this once but I can't find the post. How are mating 45 degree cuts done? Like what you see with picture frames? I've experimented with scrap and I'm always off by a couple of degrees no matter how much I tweak the damn table so I guess I have to accept my wifes table saw is out of calibration (and no way my Orange Monster will cut that. That's a technique that died with my father.) Is there an easy way to calibrate my wifes TS or can I accomplish same with my Skil or the radial arm? (ok, maybe not the radial, it's not the right tool.)

My old bandsaw is in storage so I'm not 100% certain the table can be adjusted. My Dremel table is too small and the belt is toast so that's out.

Ideas?

I made a picture frame for the wife on my table saw, and yes, 45-degree miters are a challenge.  I used the miter gauge instead of tilting the blade, as the average saw is more likely to be in alignment at 90 degrees than at forty-five, and the miter gauge had a machined stop-point at 45-degrees. After adjusting my math for the width of the saw blade (kerf), it came out well enough that when filled, sanded, and painted black, it wasn't terrible.

For the average picture-frame-sized project, a miter box with a thin-kerf handsaw should work pretty well if you don't trust your tablesaw.

[cowtown]

I make mine with a mitre saw.   Angle can be adusted in 2 dimensions and the saw can be fine tuned.

Also a good possible solution. My compound miter saw has such an awful blade on it that I don't use it for anything where tearout will be an issue.  I need to stop being so damned cheap and get a new blade.  Much quicker than a table saw for crosscuts and miter cuts on 2x4's and smaller.

[GregD]

I use something like this for my table saw.  You zero it out on the the cast iron table top and then you put it on your say blade (magnetic).  Turn wheel until it reads 45 degrees.  You can also use a speed square to get it to 45 degrees.  Not as accurate but pretty close.    The angle gauage can also be used on a mitre saw.  Just make sure the saw is calibrated for a 90 degree cross cut before your mess with the bevel.

http://www.harborfreight.com/digital-angle-gauge-95998.html

[EvilNuff]

Are you asking about angled cuts like a picture frame or angled like the blade is angled?  For picture frame angles you can make a jig like this:
http://www.woodmagazine.com/woodworking-plans/tablesaw/tablesaw-jigs-accessories/

And as long as that is a 90o angle and you cut the two mating sides one on each side the corner will be a perfect fit, it doesn't matter if its not exactly 45o as long as the two together are 90o.

[eds1275]

The blade makes all the difference in the world. I really like the frued diablo blades for my 7 1/4 circular saw and for my 10" mitre saw I hve gotten good results with a $30 Dewalt blade. Not a killer price tag for either of them but they are good enough for that kind of thing.

[Woodshop Flunky]

Are you asking about angled cuts like a picture frame or angled like the blade is angled?  For picture frame angles you can make a jig like this:
http://www.woodmagazine.com/woodworking-plans/tablesaw/tablesaw-jigs-accessories/

And as long as that is a 90o angle and you cut the two mating sides one on each side the corner will be a perfect fit, it doesn't matter if its not exactly 45o as long as the two together are 90o.

Agreed... a miter sled is the way to go.  Trying to cut a 45 using the miter gauge that comes with the saw would test even the patients of Job.

[DNA Dan]

Ditto on the quality of the blade. Any flex and you're hosed. Your results will vary depending upon the quality of the tools you use.

Is there a reason you are doing these angles cuts? other types of cuts can be just as strong, if not stronger using biscuits.