How to cut this ... safely?

[radhak]

I may be looking at this from the wrong angle , but can't this be laid on its side and cut at the proper angle with more stock riding along the fence?

Just a thought.
Dennis

My saw only allows angles ranging from 90 degrees (ie, fully square) to 45 degrees, measuring from the horizontal.

Of course, dunno why but the saw itself is marked as 0 (zero) degrees to 45, which it measures from the vertical, ie, zero degrees means a regular cut, and 38 degrees means 38 from the vertical, as I have shown in the picture.

Given that, any other orientation does not give me the same angle on the 2x4. Unless I'm missing something there.

[jrnewhall]

My saw only allows angles ranging from 90 degrees (ie, fully square) to 45 degrees, measuring from the horizontal.

Of course, dunno why but the saw itself is marked as 0 (zero) degrees to 45, which it measures from the vertical, ie, zero degrees means a regular cut, and 38 degrees means 38 from the vertical, as I have shown in the picture.

Given that, any other orientation does not give me the same angle on the 2x4. Unless I'm missing something there.

The angle next to the 52 in your diagram is also 38. If we assume the diagram is looking at the tail end of the stock, put the left side down then spin it end for end so this is now the end leading into the blade.

~JRN

[LarryG]

I think the goal here is that the "keeper" piece will be the trapezoidal segment above the angled cut line; further, this piece will be installed on the wall in the orientation shown. If you lay the workpiece flat and make the cut, then flip it back up to install it, the bottom angle will be wrong.

(Unless I, too, am missing something ...)

[radhak]

After working it out in great detail, I am convinced there is no other orientation that works. JRN, I actually tried it out on Picasa, and the two cuts (keeping the 2x4 on the edge, or on it's side) are different :



The need is for the sharpest point to have an angle of 38 degrees, just as the first figure above.

[leehljp]

USE a Backer 2X4 for Cut

SINCE it is a backer board, Why don't you screw two 2X4s together up high in line with the "no cut", and run that through. The 2nd 2X4 would just be a backer for the 1st during the cut and add stability.

Another scheme would be to used double stick carpet tape to hold the two boards together while cutting the one.

[Wood_workur]

I like Hank's Idea of using 2 2x4's (so its like a 4x4) but only cut the 1st. What I would also do is attach a block on the plate that comes down from the gripper so it will grip the 2x4 and have enough height.

[jrnewhall]

After working it out in great detail, I am convinced there is no other orientation that works. JRN, I actually tried it out on Picasa, and the two cuts (keeping the 2x4 on the edge, or on it's side) are different :



The need is for the sharpest point to have an angle of 38 degrees, just as the first figure above.

That's why I have a lot of scrap wood. On the bright side - it gives me more scraps test things on before I cut the one good piece of stock I have left.

I like Hank's answer - attach more wood to the fence side to give you more to hold on to.

~JRN

[radhak]

Thanks everybody - I did manage this 'project' yesterday - and I used double-sided tape to attach a supporting piece of 2x4 to allow me a better grip and support along the fence too.

My friend was with me and he was mighty impressed with 'my ingenuity', and that I even had double-sided tape . He had not even heard of it before - such ignorance !

The best part was that on hearing his profuse thanks, LOML had to finally agree, '...yeah he (meaning me) is pretty handy ...'. So please pardon me the fact that I never mentioned any of you at that moment... .

But thanks for the advice - love coming over here.