Don’t understand my table saw angles.

Jack759 | Posted in General Discussion on July 11, 2020 04:49pm

Hi, I have a brand new table saw, a Delta 36-725T2.

I’m trying to cut a 40 degree angle with the blade set to 40 degrees but it gives me a 50 degree cut. And the blade measures that way too.

Yet, when I measure it at 90 degrees on the indicator, it reads 90 degrees on the blade.
When I measure it at 30 degrees on the indicator the blade reads 60 degrees.
When I turn the blade to 45 degrees on the indicator it reads 45 degrees at the blade.
And when I turn the handle so the indicator reads 40 degrees, the blade reads 50 degrees.
Now, I understand that these all add up to 90 degrees.
If I want a 40 degree cut I can’t turn the handle past 45 to 50.

Is it my math

Thanks in advance.

Photos below.

[img]https://i.imgur.com/WUxw46q.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/XGfdS1c.jpg[/img]

[img]https://i.imgur.com/RVBCyZH.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/friV1Wk.jpg[/img]

[img]https://i.imgur.com/bYSuQAw.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/eembbn8.jpg[/img]

Replies

Jack759 | Jul 11, 2020 04:52pm | #1
I added the photos, all I could add was 5.
Jack759 | Jul 11, 2020 04:53pm | #2
Sorry, here's the last photo. I'm old.
fivebirdscustom | Jul 11, 2020 05:04pm | #3
The angle indicator denotes the angle off of vertical. So, basically, 10 degrees on the indicator is 10 degrees OFF of 90, or 80 degrees. ( I know you figured out the whole 90 total degrees thing, but this hopefully clarifies it a touch)

If you need a 50 degree angle, you may have to stand your workpiece vertically. If the piece has any length, add a taller fence.

But, it can be difficult, because of you are cutting all the way to an edge, the workpiece will want to fall into the blade opening. Even a zero clearance insert may not truly support the workpiece... That's when it's time to use something like a mortising jig and clamp your workpiece. I just make my own out of scrap.
Jack759 | Jul 11, 2020 05:19pm | #4
Thanks FiveBirds. I thought as much but that would be very difficult. I wonder if I can clamp it on my Craftsman miter saw. The angle OFF vertical, now that makes sense as we both mentioned the whole 90 degrees math thing. I appreciate your help, thank you most kindly.
Deleted | Jul 11, 2020 05:27pm | #5
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