Tip: No Slip Miter for Table Saw

[Paul Alciatore]

This is a tip that is so simple that I never thought of writing it up until I was renewing it before a couple of quick cuts tonight.

I don't know about the fancy, expensive, $100 or $200 or higher miter gauges that are available, but I use the simple one that came with my inexpensive table saw. It is made from cast aluminum with a machined face for the wood to be held against. But, because that surface is smooth and because the saw has a good amount of vibration I found that the wood being cut was hard to hold in one place. It would slide one way or the other while I was attempting to cut.

I hit upon a simple solution. A layer of electrical tape on that smooth aluminum surface provides just the right amount of friction to keep the wood from sliding while being cut. Now miter cuts are a lot easier.



Simple, easy, and inexpensive. And easily replaced when it becomes worn or detached: I replaced the upper strip of tape tonight after several years of use. I have used this trick on the miter gauge for my disk sander and will probably do it to the one for my new router table too.

Check out my plans ..............................

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