Tables and Tools Part I - Radial Arm Saw

When cutting materials; wood, glass, picture mat cardboard, or whatever the two main things that lead to a bad cut are: you measured wrong or something slipped during the cutting process. The old carpenter's run of measure twice and cut once usually works. But I'll admit that even then I sometimes make mistakes. However, slipping during cutting can be greatly reduced if your cutting system is securely attached to a table or stand. Firm attachment is also the safe way to use any electric high speed cutting system. While I'm mentioning safety, good quality safety glasses are also a must when using a high speed cutting device. I'm sure we all know that but the use of safety glasses cannot be stressed enough.

I mount all my larger tools onto plywood bases so that they can be firmly attached to a table top with clamps or bolts. The first tool shown is a 10" radial arm saw mounted on a 1" plywood base (1/2" ply was the scrap I had at the time). The base size was set for easy clamping to my Black & Decker Workmate 425 tables as shown in the photo. There is a second clamp in use hidden behind the saw. Two large clamps are sufficient. In this setup the clamps are at the back side. Front mounted clamps would actually be a hazard as they could get in the way of easy hand motion while using the saw.

A firm tool base allows for easier movement of the tool and placing the tool back to where it is stored. In my attempt to maximize space each tool has an assigned storage space, usually on the top of an old bookcase or cabinet to help save my back when moving it. Here the radial saw storage space is the top of an old TV stand. The front doors are long gone and the interior space is divided by a shelf into two areas to yield lots of storage and the saw at almost the height of the Workmate tables.


For sheet glass cutting there are two additional potential problems that can lead to bad cuts. First, the surface needs to be flat. This is the issue for the newer Work Mate 425 table which makes it of little use for glass cutting. As shown in my post of July 23rd the three table sections don't mate to a flat top. The flat surface should be covered with a firm material that has just a little give. Some use carpet covers but I find carpet holds too many little slivers of glass that sometime "bite". So I use picture mat cardboard. I cut the sheets to the size of the Workmate table top. At the art supply stores I usually ask if they have any damaged sheets, at a reduced price.

The second glass cutting problem is small pieces of glass, from prior cuts, getting onto the surface. These small pieces can serve as pressure points on the glass sheet resulting in poor cracks while scoring the glass. The general rule is to sweep or vacuum the surface after each cut. A white mat is easier to sweep clean and colored glass chips are more easily seen.