How to Cut a 52 Degree Angle on a Table Saw

Rip Cutting

1. Tilt the blade on the saw to 38-degrees. If the gauge on your saw does not have enough detail to set this angle accurately, use a protractor to set the tilt.

2. Lock the blade in the position and set the proper height for the lumber to be cut. The blade should not be greater than 1/8-inch above the thickness of the wood.

3. Rip the lumber with the waste edge against the fence. The piece nearest the fence will have a 38-degree angle but the piece of lumber that passes to the left will have the complementary 52-degree angle.

Cross Cutting

1. Set the miter gauge in its slot and set the angle to 90 degrees. Test the board to ensure that it is narrow enough to be safely cut on the table saw without pushing the gauge off of the table.

2. Set the angle on the miter gauge to 52 degrees.

3. Hold the board securely against the miter gauge fence and make the cut.

References

• The Family Handyman: How to Use a Table Saw: Cross Cutting

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Tips

Complementary angles are a helpful concept for use where a cut needs to be made that seems to be beyond the angle allowed by your tools. If an angle exceeds the range of the tool, subtract that angle from 90 degrees to get the complementary measurement. Remember that the complementary angle (i.e. the one that is smaller than the permissible angle) will be on the fence side of the cut. Plan your cuts carefully to avoid wasting lumber.

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Photo Credits

man sawing a piece of wood image by Joann Cooper from Fotolia.com

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