Miter gauge on table saw: making extension

[ron in sc]

I need to make an extenstion for my miter gauge on my table saw. Only will be cutting 90 degree cuts. Boards will be about 3 1/2 feet long and 9 1/2" wide.

I can use a piece of wood that's about 2 1/2" wide by about 1" thick and about 30" long and bolt it to the miter gauge.

The question is what wood should I use for this. It needs to be dimensionally stable. I was thinking maybe oak. Any suggestions?

 

[dxdexter]

Solid oak is not dimensionally stable. I can't think of any solid woods that are. You can use solid wood stock temporarily, but it will tend to warp or change over time due to humidity changes. I have however used shorter solid wood (maple) with no problems, but never 30" long. It will probably be OK for the duration of your flooring job.

If your looking for a more permanent solution you could use a length of aluminum HSS (hollow structural section), possibly 1" x 3" and bolted to the gauge.

If exactly 90 degrees is critical then square the miter gauge to the blade and don't rely on the gauge scale to be perfectly accurate.

As was recommended by several members, in your other post, the ideal situation for 90 degree cuts on a tablesaw is a crosscut sled. The miter gauge even with an extension will never perform as well. With the sled the stock remains stationary as the table (sled) moves as opposed to the stock moving over the table, therefore giving greater chance for stock movement and errors. You can make a simple sled very quickly with no special hardware or tracks.

 

[W-Cummins]

Make your self a cross cut sled and be done with it.

William....

 

[justinking060310]

Agreed with the 2 previous posts. I have done it your way and there way. The sled is that much better.(and safer)

 

[ron in sc]

If I don't make a sled myself does anyone know what company might make one capable of cutting 9 1/2" boards which are about 3 or 4 ft. long?

 

[justinking060310]

An Incra Miter 5000 is good to 64"
http://www.incra.com/product_miter_5000.htm


Ebay brings up a couple, as will amazon.