I'm trying to create a jig for making repeatable crosscuts up to 4 feet long. Since I do most of my woodworking at a maker space, I can't build a permanent miter saw station, and I'm concerned about deflection issues with longer cuts on a table saw. I've previously attempted making an auxiliary fence for my miter saw, but I think a track saw crosscut jig could be a better solution given that I already have a track saw. My aim is to design the jig combining elements from different crosscut jigs for circular saws and a narrow MFT table with a fence.
I'm facing some challenges with how to properly support the guide rail. I've seen Guide Rail Lifts, but I really don't want to deal with recalibrating it every time or worrying about it coming out of square when I adjust the height. Many of these require adjustments from both sides, which can get quite annoying.
I also found some Circular Saw Guide Rail Hinges that seem to allow for easy height adjustments by simply pushing forward, but there aren't many reviews about them. Ideally, I want the fence and the guide rail to be permanently positioned, at a fixed height above the workpiece, for maximum confidence in squareness and spacing. I'm considering whether I should attach a thin piece of material for additional support. Would having the guide rail above the workpiece lead to tearout, and is there a straightforward solution to avoid this?
1 Answer
For consistent crosscuts, you'll definitely want to ensure you have some type of parallel guide or length stop for your track saw. This will help you maintain parallel cuts to a straight edge. If you want perpendicular cuts, consider getting a square for your guide as well. Guide rail lifts can be tricky – they offer a way to adjust the height, but ultimately, you want your guide rail to rest flush on the material to minimize tearout risks. I would suggest looking into high-quality parallel guides and squares from companies like TSO. They provide great tools that can be combined into a cohesive setup without needing to permanently attach anything to your workspace.
That's interesting! So you think directly attaching everything to the track is better instead of having any setup on the table? I guess I could just keep using my guide square as the main support without permanently mounting it.