Re: ATM Altitude Trunions - how to make

[Fabio Pettinati <Fabio.Pettinati@vsisinc.com>]

At 04:41 PM 6/25/98 -0400, John Kasunich wrote:

>Be very careful!! - this trick isn't particularly risky,
>but you do have to run your saw with the guard removed.
>During most of the cut, the blade is under the workpiece,
>but you want to be very sure of where it will come back
>out, and use a push stick or block.
>
>The basic method involves moving the wood block over
>the blade sideways or at an angle to cut a curved
>"valley" on the underside of the wood.

I've been working with wood for a number of years, and I've developed this
healthy fear of saw blades that has in part kept me from losing my fingers.
This procedure can be accomplished, but even I would think at least thrice
before attempting to do it.

Regardless of whether you raise the blade 1/16" at a time or even less,
there is significant risk of a kickback--when that happens, having my
fingers close to the blade is the last thing I might want.

Anyone attempting this procedure should attach the trunion-to-be to a
(much) larger square or rectangular piece of plywood that will run against
the makeshift fence. Attach handles on each side of the plywood and use
them to move the entire assembly back and forth. This will help control the
cut much better than a pushstick.

This might sound as overkill, but the way I see it, the more fingers I have
available to figure my mirror, the better job I'll make. Plus I can always
get more wood from my favorite supplier--fingers just come once in a
lifetime...

Fabio