JBM Posted December 16, 2014 Report Share Posted December 16, 2014 I'm trying to cut some plywood panels and I want to make sure that they are square. I am using a TS55. I first cut a straight edge, then from that edge I measured 22 inches and made a parallel cut then I cut another line using my best square(not 100% sure it is accurate; like an engineer square) 90 degrees. Then when measure 24 inches to make another cut, I find I'm 1/16 off when I check using the 3-4-5 rule. What am I doing wrong? These panels are vertical panels for an entertainment center and will ride inside dados. Any suggestions on how to fix my problem would be appreciated. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted December 16, 2014 Report Share Posted December 16, 2014 Do you have a table saw? The track saw is awesome for breaking down the stock but, the table saw is awesome for repeatable cuts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beechwood Chip Posted December 16, 2014 Report Share Posted December 16, 2014 Do you have a compass (for drawing circles)? You can use a compass to make an accurate 90 degree angle. You could use that to check your square, or perhaps to draw your perpendicular line for your third cut. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwacker Posted December 16, 2014 Report Share Posted December 16, 2014 The 345 rule will always give you an accurate angle BUT the pencil marks will mess things up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric. Posted December 16, 2014 Report Share Posted December 16, 2014 If you can manage ONE 90* corner, you can do the rest of the cuts on the table saw. You only need one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBM Posted December 16, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 16, 2014 Yes, but I haven't built a sled yet. That maybe my only solution is to build a sled. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwacker Posted December 17, 2014 Report Share Posted December 17, 2014 Measure your saw and miter gauge. With a full sized saw those little pieces can be done with a miter gauge installed backwards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBM Posted December 17, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 17, 2014 Thanks beechwood for the compass tip, looks like my square is off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBM Posted December 17, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 17, 2014 Thanks PB, but it is a contractor Table saw although I have it tuned in very well not sure I trust my miter gage. I'll just build a sled and get a better square. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Firehawk Posted December 17, 2014 Report Share Posted December 17, 2014 My question would be are they square enough? The out of square will only show at an end that they are butted up against. With them riding in a dado, does it really matter. Personally, I think you are in over-kill mode. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted December 17, 2014 Report Share Posted December 17, 2014 Cut it as oversized as possible, corner to corner measurements should be exactly the same. Then trim to exact size. I feel your pain! That's why I dropped the $$ on a woodpeckers 26" framing square. Just to check the quality of the cuts coming off my sliding table cross cut fence . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBM Posted December 17, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 17, 2014 Thanks Wdwerker all my crosscuts are still oversized. I just want to make sure when my final cuts are made it's as square as it can be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted December 17, 2014 Report Share Posted December 17, 2014 I once checked all my squares against each other, then took the best one to the hardware store and started checking framing squares. It was amazing how many were off, even the expensive ones! A mid priced steel square was the closest I could find. It served me well until the Woodpeckers showed up. It was a long wait for the second batch of a one time tool. It has a custom rack that it parks in and gets treated very carefully. Remember that checking for square to a wavering cut is kinda futile. Clean straight cuts have to come before exactly square corners. A decent track saw carefully used should deliver a straight cut. Wiggle , shift and let it wobble and all bets are off, still comes down to operator error doesn't it ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBM Posted December 17, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 17, 2014 Wdwerker that is why I invested in the TS55, it was expensive but worth it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBM Posted December 30, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 30, 2014 Just an update. I finally finished my table saw sled and using Marc's 5 cut method. I am now able to make square crosscuts to within .0035. That's good enough for me. Maybe someday when I get a sawstop professional table saw I'll try to make a sled that is more accurate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodbutcher74 Posted December 30, 2014 Report Share Posted December 30, 2014 When I got out of HS I worked at a small tool and die shop, so I kinda understand the whole perfection thing. A lot of our work was + or - 1/10th of a thousandth. When I started wood working that mind set started to kick in. After a few calamities, I realized the wood is a lot more forgiving and it's not that necessary to be "dead on" accurate. Lighten up a little and enjoy the hobby, it'll save you a lot of aggravation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ResidentEvil Posted January 2, 2015 Report Share Posted January 2, 2015 Its good that you've made a sled to get accurate cuts. On the other hand, I would think that you could pretty easily fix a out of square panel without going to a lot of trouble. Dry assemble the frame and panel door and see where the panel is causing trouble. Pop it apart and use a plane or sanding block to knock down the edge that is problematic. I know its extra work and not ideal, but its a solution. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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