The
crosscut box is by far the most common and, in many cases, the most important
jig in the shop. While it's most obvious benefit is that of providing support
and accurate results when crosscutting large planks, it is also a necessity for
the safe handling and cutting of small pieces. Since both sides of the crosscut
box slide together, nothing is left next to the blade after the cut is made and
the jig is moved back to the starting position. You can quickly and safely remove
the cutoff and advance your stock for the next cut. Add a Build-It Clamp to provide
a secure hold on your workpiece and a 90-degree cut for your next slice and dice
operation is a sure thing.
Add a Miter Slider to each of the 2 large Build-It Panels using the line of mounting
holes closest to the edge of the panel. Attach a T-Slot Panel Connector to this
same edge on each panel. Adjust one of the sliding assemblies for the left miter
slot and the other for the right. Remove the assembly from the right slot. Attach
the small Build-It Panel to the left side assembly and run through the saw blade
to trim off the excess. Remove the left side assembly. Now, replace the right
side assembly in the right hand miter slot. Add the remaining piece of the small
Build-It Panel and run it through the saw to remove the excess panel. Replace
the left side assembly and use double-faced tape and a square to add the bridge
and fence to the Build-It platform. Position the fence to favor the left or right
side of the blade to suit. Carefully slide the assembly out of your miter slots
and turn upside down. Use #8 x 1" pan head wood screws with washers in
the counterbored holes to secure the bridge and fence to the panels. Add a T-Track
Plus and make the stop shown for repeatable cut length control. See the tip on
the reverse side of your Build-It Clamp's packaging for info on adding the clamp
to the T-Slot Panel Connector.
