[DaleFiorillo]

I have fastened a 2x4 to the side of my tool cart, it is about 24" wide. I want to cut consecutively deeper
slots evenly spaced. Depths would go from 1/16 to 2 7/16 inches, in 1/16 increments, maybe 8ths. My
challenge is getting really accurate settings, reasonably quickly, at least for the major depths.
I suppose trial and error on scrap wood is what I'll have to do. I have tried many gauges, but the cut is
never what the gauge says, and most require a lot of wrestling around. I'm pretty good at conjuring
up jigs, but nothing yet. ? ? ?
Dale

 

[DaninVan]

Dale; try this.
Find something that's flat sheet and accurate in thickness...for example strips of vinyl flooring. lay them in two parallel piles, on a hard flat surface. Start with one thickness, side by side with a 1/2" in between the piles.
place the saw plate on top and drop the blade down through the plate until it just kisses the hard surface on the bottom. Lock the blade, and then cut a slot in a piece of scrap. Check the depth to confirm. Continue the process adding one layer to each of the stack, drop the blade, lock and check the cut depth in the scrap.
After three or four layers you will have confirmed the progression's actual depth of cuts.
The problem with gauges is that the tip of any particular tooth isn't necessarily the highest or lowest point; it's only when the blade is spinning that all the teeth actually go past the point which is perfectly perpendicular to the base plate.
Getting a perfect depth on a TS is tough enough; a circ. saw is a lesson in frustration.
The markings on the saw itself are just a rough guide...the actual blades will vary tremendously. They'll change in diameter every time they're sharpened, or replaced.

 

[JOAT]

What would this be used for?

 

[rwl7532]

What would this be used for?

Lateral thinking. Memo sent this morning.

 

[Stick486]

try this....
Veritas® Tool-Setting Gauge - Lee Valley Tools

 

[Cherryville Chuck]

The best way to measure the depth of a slot, rabbet, bolt hole, etc. Scroll down to that part: https://makezine.com/2015/11/13/how-to-use-your-digital-calipers-7-tips/ I probably use my calipers as much for checking depth and height as I do thickness.

 

[JOAT]

Lateral thinking. Memo sent this morning.

Ah, I misread it, I thought it said literal thinking.

 

[Barry747]

Take it off the cart and make the cuts on your table saw. Easier to accurately set depth and to use than a circular saw. Just a thought.

 

[Danman1957]

If precision is the key, then ask a laser cutting company to do it for you. For a relatively small piece, the fee should not be too much.

 

[DaninVan]

Dale; from your 'bio'...
"Finding any reason to buy new blades, or bits, to make anything out of wood to ridiculous tolerances."
Lol!
Ain't happenin' with a circ saw!

 

[Shop guy]

The exact term for precision in woodworking is “close” it cannot be applied to metal working tolerances.

 

[Cherryville Chuck]

I agree with Richard. Could also read "acceptable according to the circumstances". Precision is a relative term in all circumstances.

 

[JOAT]

Take it off the cart and make the cuts on your table saw. Easier to accurately set depth and to use than a circular saw. Just a thought.

Aw, you just had to tell him how to do it the easy and accurate way. I wanted to see what he did with the circular saw.

 

[DaleFiorillo]

You said it all, especially logging the diff between static measurements and dynamic results. I bought some flat
bars today, and will proceed.

 

[DaleFiorillo]

Quickly, accurately, and safely setting a circsaw to all of its possible depth of cuts, without having
to do trial and error test cuts every time. Not at all necessary for most crosscuts, but I seem to
do a lot of partial depth cuts.

 

[DaleFiorillo]

Stick, I checked it out carefully, but with a circsaw I'd still be wrestling with the saw, upside down, plate loose,
gauge moving, blade moving, and the plate lock lever hiding. I tested my idea on just a few random depths,
and then resetting the saw was a piece of cake.
I did order a Veritas graduated scribing gauge, beautifiul.

 

[DaleFiorillo]

Ditto, but I have such a nice non-digital I don't want to modernize!
Chuck, you are a moderator, am I replying to all my replies individually?

 

[DaleFiorillo]

Too late, it's glued, screwed, and finished! If only I had a table saw, sigh.......

 

[DaleFiorillo]

Well, I need a better way of replying than 'post quick reply'. I did profit from all your
replies, thanks everyone. Once I am done is this worth a project photo post, or should
I hide the fact that I have no table saw? What really sucks is having had a table saw and
knowing I'd never have to have posted this question

 

[DaninVan]

Dale; a lot of members will just do a single reply with addressees individually noted eg....
John; yadadayada

Dan; yaydyaydyay

Charles; etc. etc.


Whatever you find easiest, and you betcha on the picture part!
We're here for a short time...and hopefully a good time.