Cross-cut easier?

[mackmack]

I usually cut a lot of the same sizes of boards... I can rip all day once the fence is set and I have no problems, but I also need to cut those ripped pieces down to square like shapes.

I cross cut for that and although I can get my cuts reliably, I wish there was a way to automate the size of the cuts as like with the rip fence. I basically cut only 3 sizes of cross cuts over and over so it would be nice to set it and get a perfect cut each time like with the rip fence. As of right now I measue cross cuts over and over again which takes some time.

Is that what a featherboard is used for? or is there anyway to automate cross cut like i can with the rip fence?

Thanks for your help guys...most likely another stupid question.

[Deadhead]

How about clamping stop blocks on the rip fence?

Set you rip fence to a predetermined measurement. Clamp block 1 to the fence, before the blade. Slide the board against the block, cross cut. Slide it again, cross cut.

Swap out block 1 with block 2. Make your second sized crosscuts. Repeat for block 3.

Not sure if the lengths you're cutting will make this easier or harder though.

[MilDoc]

Clamp a piece of wood to the rip fence just ahead of the blade. Measure your cut to that, then each succesive piece is placed against the block and SMT, then cross-cut.

[LCHIEN]

There are two ways.
If its short, then like people have suggested, a stop block attached to the rip fence IN FRONT OF THE BLADE will set the length of cutoffs to the right of the blade.

If you have longer pieces, then Extended length SMT fences with stop blocks is the way to go. this requres a SMT fence at least longer than your finished piece.

If you have really long peices, the way to cut these is with a miter saw with extended platforms and stop blocks on the platform.

[gary]

Crosscut sled with a stop block works best to me. I made a big one for my BT and love it.

[mackmack]

I have seen that and heard that talked about looking around but the DVD that came with the saw said to always completely remove the rip fence when cross-cutting.

I have already got kickback once and that is enough for me. So you guys are saying its cool to keep the rip fence on while cross-cutting and to put a stop block on the rip fence?

So, if I understand correctly, it's only dangerous to cross-cut with the rip fence when you are actually using the fence as a guide? ...but its ok to use a clamped wood block so long as its set up lower then the blade?

[Bruce Cohen]

See what happens when you listen to a bunch of us.

What everyone means is that the "block" you clamp to the rip fence, ends before the stock you are crosscutting even gets near the saw blade. Therefore, once the cross cut starts, your stock IS NOT touching the rip fence. Ergo, no kickback.

Give me some time and I'll draw it out for you and post again.

BTW, a featherboard is for ripping only.

Bruce

[Bruce Cohen]

Mack,

Here's the illustration, very simplified, this should clear up the confusion.

[mackmack]

I see now... Thanks for the illustration. I will give it a try tomorrow.