Carpentry/Woodworking Question

[Swamp Donkey]

I am in the process of building a log house. I am putting up 1X6 toungue and groove as siding on the gable ends. My problem is with my Makita circular saw. The base plate on it is made of aluminum and it always leaves black marks on my nice pine on every cut. About a 4-5 inch strip which is quite annoying. #ad
Thought about rubbing it with steel wool and polishing up the base plate but it already looks shiny. Any good tips on how to avoid this? Cutting on the oppiste side of the board is an option, but a real pain because of angles etc... . (Just makes me think more and maybe more mistakes #ad
)

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John McEachern
Fort St John B. C. Canada
1998 12v, 4X4, QC, auto w/tc switch, air, tilt, cruise, 3. 55 gears, TST #6, Isspro boost/pyro/transmission gauges, BD VB&TC, CC industries headache rack and rails, JVC KD-SX949 Cd player, forest green, Brigestone Dueler M/T's 285/75/16, Eagle 16x8 rims, K&N airfilter.

 

[RHARVEY]

I think for a couple of hundred I would go and invest in a good miter saw. You could also get a good compound miter saw.

Rick

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RICK
97 2500,CC,5 SPEED, 3. 54 Limited Slip,Psychotty System,K&N, Pre-Turbo ISSPRO 3" Pyrometer & Boost Guage,Silencer Ring Removed
15,000 RBW 5th Wheel Hitch,25' Excel 5th Wheel,Rancho RSX17000 Shocks,Amsoil Dealer,Straight Piped

 

[ETOBICOKE]

Try some masking tape on the bottom of the base plate. I have a light weight wormdrive, it has an aluminum/magnesium base plate, but have never had problems with it leaving marks. Could also try attaching thin plastic (arborite) or masonite with 2 sided tape. Hope this helps.
Neil

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Neil Copeman 92 D250,LE,limited slip, 16cm turbo housing, Isspro gauges, factory tach option, Lear cap, DC crankdown tire carrier
Hadley air horns, Stealhorse leather seats, e-mail (home): bombedcummins@sympatico. ca

 

[illflem]

Neil has it right about using masking tape on the plate. That's the way I've seen many professional carpenters do it, especially when cutting holes for sinks in light colored Formica countertops.

 

[Sled Puller]

Junk it and get a good Miter Saw. You will never regret it.

Gene

 

[Sled Puller]

On second thought, if you have a long gable end the miter saw won't work. A Radial would be more in line, and now we are talking more money.

I hate Makita's, buy A Bosch.
gene

 

[EMDDIESEL]

I have done the masking tape trick before, works great. Get the widest tape you can buy.

 

[csutton7]

for some saws(Skilsaw) there is a plastic base plate cover that fits over the aluminum/steel plate---the masking tape will work, but keep an eye on it as it can fray or get caught on wood splinters/fibers and cause you to miscut---cutting from the back side is your best bet--within a few cuts you'll have it mastered-not the cutting, but the layout and board flipping so you get them right---good luck... ... ... . chris

 

[Wheaties]

I agree with the masking tape idea. If the wood is wet, it may not hold up for long though. If you have a scrap of formica, you can contact cement it right to the metal baseplate. It won't come off easily when you 're done with it, but the cement should rub right off once the parts are separated. Otherwise, I'd find some slick plastic backed tape, like sail tape if you know what that is(?) You could try duct tape, but I'd worry about the glue coming out along the edges and creating too much friction to get a good cut.

You might even try using some wax on the baseplate. We use Butcher's Wax on tablesaws and such in the cabinet shop. You'll have to give it several coats, the metal will keep showing up on the towel, but it should give up eventually and you'll see only wax on the towel. That might work too.

... . course miter saws are nice to work with too!

Good Luck,
Matt

 

[Swamp Donkey]

Thanks for the idea's guys. I have a mitre saw and a radial arm saw, but I up 4 levels on the scaffolding and getting a radial arm saw up there would be tough. The mitre saw will have to be adjusted to frequently and needs a good working area as well. I am using a sliding T-bevel for all of my angles for a perfect fit... . as good as a farmer can do on his first house! #ad
Sounds like the masking tape will be my cure.

 

[paccool]

Swamp Donkey,
Chris had it right, cut from the back side. won't have to worry about the marks then.

Another option is to trim out with a 1x3 or 1x4. that hides lots of little things.

Stan

 

[sam peterson]

want to spend a little money? a lazer sure makes it easy to see the lines and can be changed to different saws.