Replies

1. 
   oldusty | Jan 26, 2008 09:37am | #1

       Why not use a chop saw or scms ?

    

2. 
   Don01 | Jan 26, 2008 11:28am | #2

   This may help
   FWW 196 http://www.taunton.com/finewoodworking/SkillsAndTechniques/SkillsAndTechniquesPDF.aspx?id=30014

   Don

3. 
   Jfrostjr | Jan 26, 2008 04:36pm | #3

   I use my RAS. Or you can use the chop saw or SCMS as others have suggested. If you don't have these items, I would cut to rough length with a jig saw and then use cross-cut box of some sort AND a stop block. You may need to rotate the stock to get though the 2.5".

   Frosty

   "I sometimes think we consider the good fortune of the early bird and overlook the bad fortune of the early worm." FDR - 1922

4. 
   bones | Jan 26, 2008 04:37pm | #4

   	39812.1
   	"What is the best and safest method for crosscutting hard maple stock that is over 2.5 inches thick?  I am making table legs so the cuts need to be accurate and repeatable. Thanks" I don't have the full picture from your description, nor what tools you have, but I would think of several options.  I'm assuming the stock is already f4s Cut the stock down with a RAS Set your cabinet saw at the highest point. If your lumber is too long to safely put on the table saw for cross cutting, cut it close with a CS, and then finish the smaller pieces on the TS. If you don't have the above, seek out any custom cabinet shops in the area and pay them to cut it to spec. They will have the big saws that can do the job, and you pay them a few bucks to ge it done.

   Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases:
   If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it.
   And if it stops moving, subsidize it.
   
1. 
   bmyyou | Jan 26, 2008 05:53pm | #5

   Thanks for the advice guys;

   I have a CS but it is not very accurate, so I would like to use my crosscut sled on the TS.  Is it safe to try and final cut the 2.5 in. table leg in one pass with the sled and blade at full height, or is it better to make a pass and cut half of the thickness, then flip it over and finish cut the other half?

   I have cut thinner table legs to length before with the sled by screwing a long straight board onto the lip of the crosscut sled to create an extension that I could then mark and size the legs up to for the cuts.  I'm concerned about the leg binding in the crosscut due to the thickness.

    

    

5. 
   bmyyou | Jan 26, 2008 07:16pm | #6

   Update,

   Just in case others might be wondering about this type of cut, I was able to cut the stock to proper length using the crosscut sled on the tablesaw.  I first cut about 3 inches from the final cut with the blade all the way up, and with a 3/4 in. base for the sled and a 2 5/8 in. stock, the blade barely cleared.   I then screwed an extension arm on the sled, c-clamped a block to act as a stop, and then crosscut the stock to final length.