With this simple jig and a little trigonometry, you can cut odd angles on the tablesaw more accurately than with the saw’s miter gauge. First, construct a sliding table using two maple rails and a piece of 3/4-in. plywood. To ensure perfect alignment, lay the rails in the saw’s grooves and tack the plywood to them temporarily, then flop the plywood over and screw the rails down. Next, raise the sawblade and cut about halfway across the jig.

Trigonometry provides an easy and accurate method for laying out the angled fence. Find the tangent of the desired angle from a trigonometry table or with a pocket scientific calculator. The tangent gives you the ratio of the angle’s vertical rise to its horizontal run. If your angle is 11.25¡, for example, the tangent is 0.19891 (rounded to 0.2). Therefore, for each inch of horizontal run, the vertical rise is 0.2 in. To make layout easier, scale up the measurements by multiplying by 10. This results in a base horizontal line of 10 in. and a vertical rise of 2 in. Mark these measurements on the jig as shown in the sketch and draw a line between the two points to locate the fence.

Eric Schramm, Los Gatos, Calif.

Fine Woodworking Magazine, February 1984 No. 44

Fine Woodworking Recommended Products

Rockler Deluxe Panel Clamp

These clamps can handle glue-ups between 10 in. and 36 in. wide, and boards up to 3 in. thick. Sliding feet attach to the lower bars with magnets, letting you position them quickly for stability on any surface. The spring-loaded jaws adjust easily, dropping into notches along the bars. And the powerful clamp handles clear the benchtop.

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Incra Miter 1000HD

One of many extremely accurate Incra miter gauges, this model offers 180-degree adjustment to 1/10 of a degree, and a long, straight fence with a telescoping stop system.

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Compass

An essential tool for drawing circles and curves accurately. Also good for layout.

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