Truing a Panel Edge with a Radial Arm Saw

A radial arm saw excels at truing a wavy edge on a board or panel so you can reliably use that piece again.

Step 1 Very simple accessories are required

An old piece of painted 1/4 inch plywood is resting on the table for my radial arm saw.  The edge facing the camera is not quite straight, but varies almost 1/4 inch over its length. 

On top of the painted plywood is a piece of 3/4 inch plywood four feet long and about six inches wide.  It was cut from the end of a plywood sheet 4 x 8 feet in size.  The edge facing the camera is the factory cut edge, which is very straight and true.  After cutting it from a new sheet of plywood many years ago, I placed the machine cut edge against a fence and trimmed it with a rip cut so both edges are completely parallel.  I have kept this piece as an important accessory in my workshop for many years.  I often use it as a guide for my circular saw.  Here I will show it in use as a guide for truing the wavy edge of the 1/4 inch plywood.

In addition to the plywood guide, a couple of "C" clamps and a measure are needed.

Comments

[rimar2000]

Phil, I can use this method too in my homemade cutting table!

THANKS FOR THE IDEA, it is very good.

[Phil B]

Osvaldo,

Thank you. I looked at your "homemade cutting table." I like it. And, this would work very well with it,

[blkhawk]

I understand that radial arm saws are not as popular as they were once but it seems that you always find ways to reuse this versatile tool in many ways. Good work!

[Phil B]

Thank you. I wish this were an original idea with me. It is actually in the soft plastic cover expanded manual Sears sold for the radial arm saw back in the 1970's. This is a very helpful techique I have used many, many times. The taper jig substitute is a little twist I added. Unfortunately, many folks think a radial arm saw is just a bigger, more cumbersome, more expensive miter saw.