Tip #79
How to Cut Bevels
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Operations:
Let's make bottoms for the two planter boxes you made in the previous two tips. Since the sides of the planters taper, the edges of the bottom must be beveled to fit properly.

First, make the bottom of the small planter, using the miter gauge. If you made yours carefully, using stock 3/4" thick, these dimensions will fit.

1. Prepare a board 3/4" x 5-15/16" (redwood, if you have it.)

2. Lock table carriage and headstock at extreme right end of tubes.

3. Tilt saw table 5-degrees to right of "0".

4. Adjust saw blade to 1-1/4" height.

5. Put miter gauge (set at 90-degrees) in right slot.

6. Place edge of stock against miter gauge face and align bottom right front corner with inside tooth of blade.

Warning: Whenever the table is tilted, always check to be sure the miter gauge clears blade before turning on power.

7. Hold stock firmly in place, turn on saw and make cut.

Warning: Turn off machine and let it come to a complete stop. Do not return stock to starting point. Remove stock, then return empty miter gauge. Bevel cuts, like all crosscut operations, are made easier and safer with the miter gauge safety grip.

8. Turn stock counter clockwise to next edge and repeat steps 6 and 7. Repeat until all four edges are beveled.

9. Push bottom, smaller face down, through the top of the planter. It should fit smoothly and snug at the bottom. Fasten with small 6 penny nails through sides into edges of bottom. Drill a few holes in the bottom for water drainage.

Fig. 2 Click image for larger view.

Now let us make a bottom for the tall planter. Again, use redwood if you have it.

10. Prepare a piece of stock 3/4" x 6-1/8" x 6-1/8".

11. Reset table to 3-degrees to right of "0".

12. Set saw blade height at 1".

13. Place rip fence at extreme right side of table.

14. With rule flat on table, adjust quill feed until inner tooth of blade is 6" from fence.

Fig. 3 Click image for larger view.

15. Turn on saw and make cut. Do not return stock, but lift over to right of fence.

16. Turn stock 90-degrees and repeat cut. Do this on remaining sides.

17. Install bottom in tall planter, just as you did in the small one.

Note: Both of these bevels were quite slight. Naturally, a steeper angle to the table would give a more pronounced bevel but the operations are the same.

Fig. 4 Click image for larger view.

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