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When the Cut Off Box Gets Full

Posted: Wed Aug 10, 2011 12:51 pm
by dusty
don't throw it in the trash! Make something.

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Posted: Wed Aug 10, 2011 12:53 pm
by dusty
a couple more images but it's not done yet. Still have to drill for the saw hold downs and glue it all together.

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It feels like it is going to slide smoother than the one I bought.

I am debating about the cut out. I just might make the base into a ZCI but that would disable the saw guard. Don't know yet.

Ahhh. Might not be able to remove the blade without dismounting the saw if there is no cut out.

Posted: Wed Aug 10, 2011 1:19 pm
by algale
Dusty,

After that track saw thread got going, I began thinking of doing something similar with one of my straight edges but you beat me to the punch!

Of course, you realize that the EZangelicals are likely to start posting about the shortcomings of your track saw solution ("Does it come with a repeater? Where's the right angle fixture? Will you offer a super-duper table thingy?").

Al

Posted: Wed Aug 10, 2011 1:28 pm
by reible
Looking good!

For me I'd go with an opening so you have a guard.

Ed

Posted: Wed Aug 10, 2011 1:43 pm
by Ed in Tampa
Dusty
Actually the front part of the blade is what is cutting and the rear is where the saw guard is at. With very careful cutting you can in effect have both
ZCI and useable saw guard. Just cut enough of the rear opening to allow the Sawguard to swing down and leave enough on either side of the blade to have a ZCI in the front of the plate. Check Ez guide they use a separate insert but I think with judicious cutting you can accomplish nearly the same thing.

Posted: Wed Aug 10, 2011 1:50 pm
by farley
Am I missing something?

why don't you just use the saw guide base to ride against the clamp?

Posted: Wed Aug 10, 2011 1:58 pm
by Ed in Tampa
Two reasons
First with just the plate against the clamp you can always veer off the non clamp side. This could ruin waste side if you were say cutting sheet stock for multiple panels. With this method the blade is locked against the fence and can't veer to either side.

Second many circular saw plates aren't parallel with the blade. Using a plate you can make the blade and side of the plate perfectly parallel.

Posted: Wed Aug 10, 2011 2:01 pm
by algale
farley wrote:Am I missing something?

why don't you just use the saw guide base to ride against the clamp?
I think the theory is that if you can secure the saw to the track you will get more accurate cuts because the saw won't have any chance to drift away from the cut line. There may also be an advantage if he's successful in rigging up a ZCI that doesn't interfere with the blade guard.

EDIT: Obviously, the previous poster beat me to the first point....

Posted: Wed Aug 10, 2011 2:30 pm
by farley
ok, I do see the points, thanks guys

Posted: Wed Aug 10, 2011 2:47 pm
by dusty
farley wrote:ok, I do see the points, thanks guys
If you were able to evaluate some of the cuts that I have made with just a straight edge clamped to the work - you would know. I have done it that way for many years and would still be doing that if the EZ thread had not come along.

I am cheap. When I realized some of the advantages and that I had three or four straight edges that could be used I wasn't about to buy a saw plate for each of them. I would not have the one I have but for the fact that I got it on clearance sale.

Any straight edge would work for this. Just tailor the saddle to the straight edge.