Tablesaw Trick For Lams

[muskiedaze]

I learned this from a really good pattern maker. To cut precisely uniform laminations with a table saw: Start with a square, planed and jointed piece of lumber ( e.g. 6 x 36 x 1.75). Make a shim the thickness of your blade plus the thickness of the lam you want to cut. Take a skim cut off your board then place your shim between the board and the fence and cut your lam off the waste side of the board. Push the shim through with the board. Take another skim cut and repeat. Keep the board tight to the fence and you can make lams uniform within 5 thousands or better. A thin kerf (3/32")works well and minimizes waste. You can even make tapered lams this way. A very light hand sanding and you're good to go.This technique probably won't work with a Home Cheapo table saw.

John

[Jeremy]

Add a zero-clearance insert to the saw and you have an extremely safe and consistent way of making lams.

[muskiedaze]

Yes Jeremy, I forgot to mention that, and to make sure your blade is square and your fence paralllel to the blade. I have found that an insert easily made from 5/8 phenolic is much better than the sticky plastic one that I got from grizzly. One other thing I learned is that by useing a grooved steel rule like a Starret and a set of magnifiers one can make super-precise blade settings needed to make the shims.  John

[ALW]

Could you guys show a few pictures of what you're doing and the zero-clearance insert for someone a little dense like me?  LOL....  There's some great information here.  Thanks.

Aaron

[muskiedaze]

AAron, sorry, can't do pics with my antique puter, but here's a shot at a description of how to make a  zero clearance insert. Duplicate the insert on your saw with a piece of phenolic, or a thin piece glued to a piece of solid core plywood, or even just a piece of birch plywood. Make it a snug fit. Shim it flush with the table if necessary. Hold it down by the front and back edges from the side of the table. Have your helper start the saw and crank the blade all the way up through your new insert and there you have it. Be carefull.   John

[muskiedaze]

Oh yea, One other thing. Don't tilt the blade. I write "NO TILT !!!" on mine as a reminder.

John