How to Cut Beveled Wood

Table saws and routers are two simple tools to use for cutting bevels.

A bevel on wood, is an angled cut that tapers toward the edge. Beveling wood edges is a useful wood-working skill that can be used to create decorative edges, or long mitered joints. Two common tools make beveled cuts simply and accurately. Most table saws have a mitering, or beveling adjustment that allows the blade to be tilted. Routers can be fitted with a variety of bits, including a wide selection of bevels.

Things You'll Need

• Table saw
• Tape measure
• Router
• Two wrenches
• Bevel bit with bearing

Instructions

Table saw Bevel

1. Locate the bevel, or miter adjustment wheel on the front of the saw's body. Twist the small center knob in the middle of the wheel counterclockwise to unlock the adjustment.

2. Turn the large outer wheel to adjust the angle of the blade until the arrow is aligned with the correct angle on the miter gauge. Set it away from the fence for narrow pieces, and toward, or away for larger. Tilt the blade away from the fence for all cuts if you are a beginner; this is typically easier and safer. Turn the center lock knob clockwise to lock it in place.

3. Locate the height adjustment wheel and set it so that the blade will cut through your piece by at least 1/4 inch.

4. Adjust the rip fence of the table saw to cut the piece to the correct width and lock it in place. The fence is the perpendicular bar that runs across the table to keep your cut straigth. Start the saw and run your piece through the blade, pressed flat against the table and against the fence.

Router Bevel

1. Loosen the collet, or metal collar on the bottom of the router, with two wrenches. Turn the outside cut counterclockwise and the inside nut clockwise at the same time. Insert the shaft of a bevel bit with bearing and turn the nuts in the opposite direction to tighten it back.

2. Adjust the depth of the router so that the bevel will cut the edge of your piece at the desired depth, up to the width of the bevel portion of the bit.

3. Clamp a piece of hardwood, along the bottom of the edge to be beveled with C clamps, to act as a guide for the bearing to ride on.

4. Start the router and run it along the edge, with the bearing riding on the face of the hardwood "fence" you clamped in place, moving the router from left to right, at a slow, steady pace, keeping it pressed down for a smooth cut.

References

• "Jim Tolpin's Table Saw Magic"; Jim Tolpin; 2004
• Family Handyman: Router Basics