Miter Fence Extension

Adding a miter fence extension to your saw’s miter gauge will reduce chip-out and increase your cutting accuracy.

Photography by Brian Francis

Miter Fence Extension

Adding a miter fence extension to your saw’s miter gauge will reduce chip-out and increase your cutting accuracy three ways: The extension fully supports the workpiece, prevents workpiece “creep,” and features an adjustable stop for cutting identical-size parts. Chip-out is minimized because the extension supports the back of your workpiece much like a sacrificial backer block.

Self-stick sandpaper will help hold stock in place, offering extra stability. This project works on both sides of the blade in either miter gauge slot.

General Instructions

Cut and label the parts as needed, using the Cut List as a guide and adjusting for fit.

Step-by-Step
  1. Build the extension.
    • Apply self-stick sandpaper to one face of the (01) fence extension.
    • Raise the blade of your saw to its maximum height.
    • Slide the miter gauge forward so it’s centered on the diameter of the blade.
    • Position the (01) fence extension in front of the miter gauge with the sandpaper facing out. Slide the (01) fence extension so that one end butts up against the blade.
    • Attach the (01) fence extension to the miter gauge by driving pan-head screws through the slots or holes in the miter gauge and into the (01) fence extension.
  2. Build the stop.
    • Drill a 3/4-inch hole into the face of the (02) stop face centered on the width of the piece and 1/2 inch from the top. Drill this hole deep enough to recess the head of the hex-head screw, about 1/4 inch into the (02) stop face.
    • Align the tops of the (02) stop face and the (03) stop back, and drill a 5/16-inch hole centered in the 3/4-inch hole and through both pieces at the same time.
    • Sandwich the (01) fence extension between the (02) stop face and the (03) stop back, and then insert the 5/16-inch hex-head screw.
    • Thread on the bar knob, and tighten it until the head of the hex-head screw is flush against the (02) stop face. (This will prevent the bolt from spinning when the knob is loosened and tightened in use.)
    • To ensure accuracy when using the stop, make sure it is perpendicular to the saw stop by checking it with a try square each time it’s repositioned.
Illustration

Desktop Easel

Cut List
Part Quantity Material Size (in inches)
(01) fence extension 1 1 x 4 x 2 3/4 x 3 1/2 x 24
(02) stop face 1 1 x 2 x 2 3/4 x 1 1/2 x 4 1/2
(03) stop back 1 1 x 2 x 2 3/4 x 1 1/2 x 2 1/2

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Project Details
Skillset: Beginner
Lumber *
  • 1 board, 1 x 2 x 2
  • 1 board, 1 x 4 x 2
Hardware and Supplies
  • 1 Package (#10 x 1 1∕4-inch) pan-head screws
  • 1 (5∕16-inch) bar knob
  • 1 (5∕16x 2 1∕2-inch) hex-head screw
  • 1 Package 80-grit self-stick sandpaper
Tools
  • Table saw
  • Miter saw (or handsaw with miter box)
  • Drill/driver with 3∕4-inch forstner bit and 5∕16-inch bit
  • Power sander and various grits of sandpaper
  • Try square
  • Tape measure
  • Pencil

*Availability varies by market.

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