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45 degree bevel cuts - long panels

6.6K views 26 replies 10 participants last post by  Ruscal  
#1 ·
I am doing a piece where pretty much every visible edge is beveled 45 degrees. For the parts that are coming in contact with people and are open to the air I’m going to use a router because I want to leave a slight flat face on the edges because if it came to a perfect edge I’m sure it will look like hell in 6 months.

But for the glue-ups for the panels - I’m conflicted. Do you all just run those through your table saw at 45 degrees or take another approach? I’m envisioning having to make up a sled to run the width of those panels through at 45 degrees. Another option was using a router and 45 degree bit - I think more precise on a router table which is pretty much the one thing I don’t have.

I’m having nightmares of tiny issues with fit trying to glue up a long bevel like that. I did it one time with a kitchen island and I promised never again.

Looking for some best practices from some experts here to avoid having to fix mistakes later.
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#3 · (Edited)
I know you don't want to hear this. Don't do it. Even with a small flat on the corner, over all, it is going to be a delicate edge subject to easy damage over time. If you must do it, do it with a lesser angle, maybe 30 deg; similar effect, but easier (a little) to do. If I were do this, I think I would consider applying the angle as an edge molding; not quite as elegant, but easier and repairable if damaged.
Again, if it must be done, I think the best way is to make a rough cut on the table saw leaving a small amount beyond the line and then use the router to trim to final dimension.
 
#6 ·
You did not indicate if this is solid wood or veneered ply wood. For solid wood, if you are going to end up using a router I would suggest you consider a locking bevel (bit) for both alignment and also strength and more glue surface. They don't have guide bearings on them so you will need to rig up a guide fence if you don't have a router table. Practice with it and possibly set it up so you need two passes to complete the cut.

A table saw will work just fine ( it is how I would do it) but I suggest you use adequate hold downs to keep the work tight to the table. If every thing is set up correctly there should not be any "sanding"of the cut edge needed.
 
#7 ·
You did not indicate if this is solid wood or veneered ply wood. For solid wood, if you are going to end up using a router I would suggest you consider a locking bevel (bit) for both alignment and also strength and more glue surface. They don't have guide bearings on them so you will need to rig up a guide fence if you don't have a router table. Practice with it and possibly set it up so you need two passes to complete the cut.

A table saw will work too but I suggest you use adequate hold downs to keep the work tight to the table.
Solid walnut. I’ll look into the bit -and great idea but holy crap those are expensive. I have a festool tracksaw and I think I can attach my router so let’s see.
 
#15 ·
I did this with my tracksaw and it worked out fine for a dresser. I had a long glue-up of a couple cherry boards that I ran the bevel on, then I cut them square for the top and sides. I don't recall any alignment issues when it came time to glue the carcass. i do remember futzing quite awhile to make sure I cut square. Best of luck.
 
#16 ·
kyngfish
I would say how you do this miter is subject to what kind of equipment you have, if your using a job site saw this will be a challenge to get a decent bevel ,but if you have a good saw and side feed table with sled plus a Wixey digital angle gauge it should be a breeze otherwise consider the router route, Using any approach definitely do a test cut on a scrap or just leave your workpiece long allowing for more attempts at getting the perfect miter. if you're concerned with a burnt cut you want to leave just enough for a lite cut after the initial cut anyway for a clean-up pass afterward anyhow. Besides fit and appearance the joinery you select in addition to the miter for this joint will be key to its long-term strength.
 
#18 ·
Unrelated but I’ve been on a sort of hiatus from woodwork while I took on a yard remodel that has basically taken up all my time. About 800 sq feet of decking and leveling a huge yard. Hardscape. List goes on and on but I haven’t really touched my woodworking tools until this random commission jumped up and. I used my rotex 150 for like 3 hours today and I forgot how awesome that thing is. No hand fatigue and just makes sanding so easy. Festool is really one of the few products that stands so far apart from the rest that even though the money is outrageous - there really is no substitute.

I haven’t used a tracksaw other than my festool so I don’t know if the makita or other offerings out there are almost as good. But for the sander and router at least - I haven’t found anything I think comes close

I want to write an ode to my sander or something. A haiku maybe?
 
#24 ·
The track saw and router have worked well for me in the past on other things but it’s definitely an open question. I’m hoping with multiple passes it will work well but definitely going to do a test piece.
It’s a reasonably beefy router and the track saw attach is specifically made for it.
When I make some test passes I’ll post here with some results.