Making Bevels in Wood

Cut bevels in wood by tilting the blade.

Bevels are cut into wood to make raised panel doors, molding or aesthetic accents. Production beveling is usually done on a shaper, but the majority of woodworking bevels are cut on an ordinary table saw by tilting the blade at an angle. One of the most common of all woodworking bevels is used on flat-panel cabinet doors. The saw blade is tilted to 30 degrees and all four sides of the panel are beveled. The procedure and set-up for almost all wood beveling is exactly the same.

Things You'll Need

• Table saw
• Tape measure
• Plywood strip, 3/4 by 3 by 36 inches
• 2 hand clamps
• Hardwood panel, 3/4 by 18 by 24 inches

Instructions

1. Raise the blade on the table saw to 1 1/2 inches from the tip of the highest tooth to the point where the blade emerges from the table. Use a tape measure to measure it.

2. Place the plywood strip flush along the left side of the table saw fence. Place one clamp at the front of the strip and one at the back. Tighten the clamps to secure the strip to the fence.

3. Crank the wheel clockwise; the wheel is located on the right side of the saw. On the front of the saw, there is a large dial that indicates degrees as you crank the wheel. When the arrow on the dial lines up with 30 degrees, stop cranking.

4. Slide the fence toward the blade. When the tip of the blade just barely touches the plywood strip, lock the fence down.

5. Place the hardwood panel against the fence, behind the blade. Turn on the saw. Push the panel forward into the blade. Continue pushing until the blade emerges out the back of the panel. Turn the panel one-quarter turn and bevel the next side. Repeat for the other two sides.

Tips & Warnings

• You can cut bevels on lumber or molding using the same set up. Just push the molding through on one, or both sides. You can cut bevels on any size panel or any piece of hardwood the same way. You can cut wider bevels on thicker wood by raising the blade slightly.

• Beveling may produce a long, thin piece of wood that can kick back at you. Never stand directly behind the saw blade. Stand slightly to one side when beveling wood.