CUTTING ALUMINUM
Aluminum extrusions such as used for making aluminum screens and storm windows can easily be cut with your compound miter saw.
When cutting aluminum extrusions, or other sections that can be cut with a saw blade and are within the capacity of the machine,
position the material so the blade is cutting through the smallest cross-section (Fig. 32). The wrong way to cut
aluminum angles is illustrated in Fig. 33. Be sure to apply a stick wax to the blade before cutting aluminum stock. This stick wax is
available at most industrial mill supply houses. The wax provides proper lubrication and keeps chips from adhering to the blade.
NEVER APPLY LUBRICANT TO THE BLADE WHILE THE MACHINE IS RUNNING.
FENCE
Fig. 32
CUTTING BOWED MATERIAL
Check to see if your workpiece is bowed. If it is, make sure the material is positioned on the table as shown in Fig. 34.
If the material is positioned the wrong way, as shown in Fig. 35, the workpiece will pinch the blade near the completion of the cut.
Fig. 34
WORK SUPPORT EXTENSIONS
For support when cutting long pieces, a work support extension
can be constructed. Fig. 36 illustrates the miter saw mounted to
two standard 2 x 4's (A). Fasten the four mounting legs (two of
which are shown at (B) Fig. 36 to the 2 x 4's, using four screws
(not supplied) through the four holes in the mounting legs. The
length of the 2 x 4's (A) can vary, depending on the kind of work
that will need to be cut.
NOTE: Ensure that the top of the support 2 x 4's (C) are
level with the miter saw table.
This is critical because the distance from the top of the
2 x 4's (A) to the miter saw table varies from saw to saw. In
most cases, standard 2 x 4's (C) can used. If these are too high,
cut the 2 x 4s (C) to provide this height or use other
properly-sized wood.
BLADE
RIGHT
RIGHT
FENCE
Fig. 33
Fig. 35
A
B
Fig. 36
18
WRONG
WRONG
C
C
BLADE