Cutting wedges on the BT3100

[tbibler]

I need to cut wedges for thru wedged mortise and tenon joints. What is the easiest way to do this on the BT3100?

If I set the blade angle to 85 degrees, put the fence on the left side of the blade, I need a safe way to stand the stock up and slide it past the blade safely. Has anyone created a jig to accomplish this, or should I go about it a different way?

I also thought about using the SMT, but I need the wedges 1 1/2 inches wide, and do not want to laminate the stock to achieve the correct thickness/width for the wedges. Since the stock would be lying flat, it would need to be 1 1/2 thick.

Any thoughts?

[JR]

Check out Rod Kirby's article on using the SMT as a tapering jig.
This should give you some good ideas (Hint: you don't have to use MDF and sawdust is allowed.)
http://www.bt3central.com/articles/files/smttaper.pdf

JR

[Lonnie in Orlando]

To clarify ...
You need a wedge that is 1-1/2" wide. Probably about an 1/8" at thick end tapering to nothing. Tapered at 5-deg angle. Cut longer than needed for final assembly. The wedge stock is probably 3/4" to 1" thick.

Attach the wedge stock to a 2X4 or 2X6 to move the wedge stock away from the fence.

Here are three ways to cut
a) edge on the table, mitered at 5deg
b) end on the table with blade at 5deg bevel.
c) end on the table against a 5-deg beveled carrier. Blade at 90deg.

a) MITERED
Miter the 2X with a 5-deg edge. Attach the wedge stock on edge with grain parallel to table to the miter edge with cloth two-sided carpet tape. Cut the wedge with the blade at 90deg. Use a zero clearance throat plate, or use the standard throat plate with the excess opening around the blade covered with packing tape to prevent the wedge from dropping into the saw body.

b) BEVELED at 5-DEG
Attach the wedge stock with the grain purp. to the table to a 2X carrier (that is not mitered) with cloth two-sided carpet tape. Even better to stack two 2X's to make a taller block. Probably best to put fence on left side of blade. Tilt the blade to 5deg. Cut the wedge. Cover the excess opening in the throat plate with packing tape.

c) 5-DEG BEVELED BLOCK
Bevel a 2X to 5-deg. Better, stack two 2X's and bevel to 5deg. Attach the wedge stock with the grain purp to the table to the 2X with cloth two sided carpet tape. Cut the wedge with the blade at 90 deg. Use a ZCTP or cover excess opening with packing tape.

- Lonnie

[tbibler]

Lonnie,

This is exactly what I was looking for. Thank you, and have a nice holiday.