How to Cut a 60 Degree Angle on a Miter Saw

When you are cutting angle on a table saw, you might use a miter gauge because it can go up to 60-degree on either side. While this is a good option, you are getting limited, though. However, that won't let you cut a piece of timber as your blade can go. In the case of a saw stop, this is about 76mm or about 3-inches.

With a taller piece, you could take it to the miter saw that goes all the way to 60-degree, but again, you are limited to the capacity of your miter saw. So, how to cut a 60-degree bevel on a table saw?

Believe it or not. The solution is to actually use a table saw with the help of a tenoning jig. Now, hang on. I know what you are thinking. A table saw only goes from 0 to 45 and not 0 to 60. So how can I make a table saw bevel cut at such an angle?

How To Make Bevel Cuts On A Table Saw?

Well, given a limited size up to about 500mm, you can easily use a table saw and a jig to cut a 60-degree bevel quite comfortably. Let's start by making the jig first.

Making A Tenoning Jig

To make this jig, you will need roughly a quarter sheet of 18-millimeter plywood. Also, add a bit of an odd size of cut leftover from breaking down a full sheet of plywood for the prototype hex shelf.

After breaking down the quarter sheet, you can proceed to rip out the sheet to form both the table saw fence runner and the clamping board. Up next, switch over to the dado stack.

Now, cut the dado and rebate needed in two of the table saw and other pieces. That will assemble in sort of a lower-case h shape. After that, switch the dado stack to 5/16-inch to cut the majority of the waste away for the dovetail slots for the match fit clamps.

Removing the waste of the table saw puts considerably on the round a bit and allows working in a single pass.

Now take the sheet over the router bit. The bit should be a half-inch 14-degree dovetail bit with a half-inch shank. Now, take a micro jig and insert it in the slot that you have just created.

Why Do I Need A Dovetail Clamp?

You might wonder, what is the purpose of a dovetail clamp? It is for a strong connection. Now, you can use the tenoning jig, but there is also another way. On a side note, if you don't want to bother making a jig by yourself, there are places where you can simply buy one.

How To Cut A 60 Degree Bevel On A Table Saw?

Now, here comes the tricky part. If you don't want to use a jig or the one that I have just shown you, there is another way. But first, do you know that there is a tool called a hybrid table saw?

For this task, this saw is a good option. On a regular table saw, you are limited when it comes to making angle cuts. Because of this limitation, cutting a 60-degree bevel using a standard table saw is considered tricky.

But not impossible, though. Once you understand the general idea of a bevel cut, you will soon realize why the table saw users use different jigs for this purpose.

Basic Idea Behind Bevel Cuts

It's a simple task for a table saw to cut a 90-degree angle. On the contrary, if you want to achieve other cut angles apart from the 90-degree angle, then it becomes a bevel angle.

There are projects that require angle cuts other than 90 degrees, and this is the challenging part. For this reason, bevel cuts come into play. For this task, you can use a circular saw, router, or even a jigsaw. All of these tools can perform bevel cuts.

Usually, when you are doing cabinet trims or interior moldings or any other decorating purpose tasks like building picture frames, bevel cuts do really pop out.

In addition, oftentimes, joinery work requires a lot of bevel cuts, especially when you are doing fit moldings. Now, a table saw can't go above 45-degree, right?

Then how come you can cut at a 90-degree angle? Yes, the procedure is the same, but all you have to do is understand simple mathematics.

Cutting 60 Degree Angle Using A Table Saw – No Jig Method

This process isn't tricky or too daunting. Make sure to read this section before you attempt to make the cut. If you don't understand the whole procedure at first, make sure to read it a couple of times before attempting.

Now, since you can't go above 45-degree because of the limitation, you can, however, go lower.

Measuring The Proper Angle

To get the exact angle, subtract 45 from your desired angle. Now, if you are targeting 60, subtract 45 from it. So, 60 – 45 = 15. Now, carefully set your blade to 15-degree. On any table saw, you will find a handle or a knob that will allow you to adjust the table saw blade.

Placing The Wood

Now, raise the blade, and this will allow you to cut at a greater angle. Once you have done that, place the wood piece or the material that you want to cut. Make sure to put it vertically.

After that, take a scrap piece of wood and place it adjacent to the main wood piece. Ensure that the last wood piece is at the opposite end of the blade.

Cutting

All you have to do now is make the cut. Don't push the wood too hard. Let it move at a normal pace. The last thing you would want to do is create uneven surfaces and cuts.

Use clamps on both sides to hold the wood firmly. If you don't have any clamps, hold the wood piece using both of your hands.

Checking For Errors

Things don't always go smoothly. It is possible that you might end up with irregular or uneven bevel cuts. Even after careful steps and observation, if you do make mistakes, there are ways to fix it.

Most of the time, thin wood fins are the main reason. This can be resolved just by using a small trimming plane. There are times when the blade fails to reach the wood fins and make the cut.

Trimming planes work just like a sharp razor, but you have more control over the blade. You can adjust the length of the blade you want to expose and how deep you want the make the cut.

To fix uneven bevels, run the trimming plane following the wood grain direction. Make sure to place the plane base flat against the wood. While doing so, the blade should face away from you.

Don't apply too much force. Instead, use smooth motions so that you get curl shavings after each stroke.

Final Words

And that concludes our guide on how to cut a 60-degree bevel on a table saw. There are other methods you can follow. Whatever you do, always make sure to follow proper safety procedures.

How to Cut a 60 Degree Angle on a Miter Saw

Source: https://sawrush.com/how-to-cut-a-60-degree-bevel-on-a-table-saw/

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