Auxillary fence

[Hometown Handyman]

This may be a topic for a different forum, but I will post it here anway. :?
I have noticed that most of the pics that I see of miter saws do not have a wood auxillary fence on them.
What is your opinion on using a auxillary fence constructed out of venneer core cabinet grade plywood to prevent chip-out and increase stability while cutting?
To be more clear, two pieces of ply that are joined @ 90degrees and are fastened to the fence of your miter saw.
Another benefit is one can more accurately cut as the kurf is visible in you sacrificial fence.

[Tom R]

If I'm understanding you right, - - it sounds good as long as you have a bunch of 'like-cuts' to do, - - but once you start changing bevels and angles your auxillary fence will have less and less backing.

One way to avoid 'chip-out' (at least on a slide saw) is to slide the saw towards you while making the cut, - - in effect, - - climb cutting. Works good on trim, - - but you should always push the blade toward the fence when cutting bigger stock, - - or it'll 'jam-and-kick'.

[Hometown Handyman]

[quote="Tom R"]If I'm understanding you right, - - it sounds good as long as you have a bunch of 'like-cuts' to do, - - but once you start changing bevels and angles your auxillary fence will have less and less backing.

When one is doing trim 98% of the cuts are at 45 or 90 degrees, at least that is what I have found. Therefore you would have three kurfs in your fence to line up with.
As the backing is cut away, one simply replaces the fence, That is why I termed it sacificial.
Does that clear up what I was trying to say?

[Tom R]

Yeah, - - seems like I understood it.

Can't say I've tried it, - - and not saying by any means it's a bad idea, - - it just seems like once you made those three separate cuts through it, - - even once each, - - your 'chip-out' protection would only be on the 'outside' edge of each 45-cut, - - and nothin' on either side for the 90, - - in other words, - - once you make the 3 cuts, - - your kerf is now (guessing) about 1/2" wide, - - (referring to the 'fence' part).

[Hometown Handyman]

Yeah, - - seems like I understood it.

Can't say I've tried it, - - and not saying by any means it's a bad idea, - - it just seems like once you made those three separate cuts through it, - - even once each, - - your 'chip-out' protection would only be on the 'outside' edge of each 45-cut, - - and nothin' on either side for the 90, - - in other words, - - once you make the 3 cuts, - - your kerf is now (guessing) about 1/2" wide, - - (referring to the 'fence' part).

A poor picture is worth a hundred words. Maybe this will explain it.

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[Dragon]

I want to start doing those houses where 98% of the cuts are at either 90 or 45 degrees!

They don't seem to exist around here.

I have also found that keeping a sharp blade on the saw significantly reduces both chipping and fuzz cuts.