9 Ways Of Using A Table Saw L-Fence? Explained In Detail

Woodworking is an art that requires precision and having the right tools can make all the difference. One tool that is often underutilized is the L-fence for your table saw. This accessory can transform your woodworking projects, making them easier and more precise.

In this guide, we will explore the L-fence and discover nine ways to use it in your woodworking projects.

9 Ways Of Using A Table Saw L-Fence? Explained In Detail

Unleash the true potential of your woodworking projects with the versatility of a table saw L-fence, capable of elevating your craftsmanship in nine remarkable ways.

1. Using an L-fence for Rabbets

Rabbet cuts are a common type of joint in woodworking, and an L-fence can make cutting them much easier and more precise. To use an L-fence for rabbets, follow these steps:

Streamlining Rabbet Cuts

An L-fence can streamline the rabbet-cutting process by eliminating the need to use a sacrificial fence. With a sacrificial fence, you would need to clamp a piece of scrap wood to the table saw fence and then cut the rabbet into the workpiece.

This can be time-consuming and wasteful, as you will need to replace the sacrificial fence each time you cut a rabbet.

An L-fence allows you to cut rabbets directly into the workpiece without using a sacrificial fence. This saves time and material, and it also makes the process much safer.

Setting Up the L-fence for Rabbets

To set up the L-fence for rabbets, follow these steps:

Raise the table saw blade to the desired depth of the rabbet.
Clamp the L-fence to the table saw fence, positioning it so that the edge of the L-fence is flush with the outside edge of the blade.
Adjust the height of the L-fence so that the top of the L-fence is slightly higher than the blade.
Making Precise Rabbet Cuts

Once the L-fence is set up, you can begin cutting rabbets. To do this, simply clamp the workpiece to the L-fence and push it through the saw. The L-fence will guide the workpiece past the blade, ensuring that the rabbet is cut to the desired depth and width.

Tips for making precise rabbet cuts with an L-fence:

Use a sharp blade. A dull blade will tear the wood, resulting in a rough and uneven rabbet.
Make sure the workpiece is securely clamped to the L-fence. This will help to prevent the workpiece from moving during the cut, which can also result in a rough rabbet.
Push the workpiece through the saw at a slow and steady pace. This will help to ensure that the rabbet is cut cleanly and accurately.

2. Using an L-fence for Tenons

Tenons are another common type of joint in woodworking, and an L-fence can also be used to make cutting them easier and more precise. To use an L-fence for tenons, follow these steps:

Simplifying Tenon Cutting

An L-fence can simplify the tenon cutting process by allowing you to cut the tenon shoulders and cheeks in one pass. With a traditional tenon jig, you would need to cut the tenon shoulders first and then flip the workpiece over to cut the tenon cheeks.

This can be time-consuming and imprecise, as it is difficult to ensure that the tenon shoulders and cheeks are perfectly aligned.

An L-fence allows you to cut the tenon shoulders and cheeks in one pass, which saves time and improves accuracy.

Workpiece Clamping and Fence Adjustment

To use an L-fence for tenons, clamp the workpiece to the L-fence and adjust the fence so that the edge of the L-fence is flush with the outside edge of the blade. Then, raise the table saw blade to the desired height of the tenon cheeks.

Achieving Clean Tenon Joints

Once the L-fence and blade are set up, you can begin cutting the tenon. To do this, simply push the workpiece through the saw, keeping the edge of the workpiece flush against the L-fence.

The L-fence will guide the workpiece past the blade, ensuring that the tenon cheeks are cut to the desired height and width.

Tips for achieving clean tenon joints with an L-fence:

Use a sharp blade. A dull blade will tear the wood, resulting in a rough and uneven tenon.
Make sure the workpiece is securely clamped to the L-fence. This will help to prevent the workpiece from moving during the cut, which can also result in a rough tenon.
Push the workpiece through the saw at a slow and steady pace. This will help to ensure that the tenon is cut cleanly and accurately.

3. Using an L-fence for Patterns

An L-fence can also be used to duplicate straight-sided shapes. This can be useful for a variety of woodworking projects, such as making jigs, templates, and decorative pieces. To use an L-fence to duplicate a straight-sided shape, follow these steps:

Clamping Patterns to the L-fence

Clamp the pattern to the L-fence, positioning it so that the edge of the pattern is flush with the outside edge of the blade. Make sure the pattern is securely clamped to the L-fence, as it will need to withstand the force of the saw blade.

Creating Consistent Patterns

To create a consistent pattern, use a flush-trimming bit in the router table. Set the flush-trimming bit so that it is just high enough to cut through the workpiece. Then, push the workpiece through the router table, keeping the edge of the workpiece flush against the L-fence. The L-fence will guide the workpiece past the flush-trimming bit, ensuring that the workpiece is cut to the same shape as the pattern.

Tips for creating consistent patterns with an L-fence:

Use a sharp flush-trimming bit. A dull bit will tear the wood, resulting in a rough and uneven pattern.
Make sure the workpiece is securely clamped to the L-fence. This will help to prevent the workpiece from moving during the cut, which can also result in a rough pattern.
Push the workpiece through the router table at a slow and steady pace. This will help to ensure that the pattern is cut cleanly and accurately.

4. Using an L-fence for Dadoes

Dadoes are a type of groove cut into the face of a workpiece. They are often used to house shelves, dividers, and other components in woodworking projects. An L-fence can make cutting dadoes easier and more precise.

To use an L-fence for dadoes, follow these steps:

Enhancing Dado Cutting

An L-fence can enhance the dado cutting process by allowing you to cut dadoes to a precise depth and width. With a traditional dado jig, it can be difficult to ensure that the dado is cut to the desired depth and width.

This is because the jig may not be perfectly aligned with the table saw blade.

An L-fence allows you to cut dadoes to a precise depth and width by providing a stable and accurate reference point. The L-fence also helps to keep the workpiece aligned with the blade, which results in a clean and precise dado.

Workpiece Clamping and Fence Adjustment

To use an L-fence for dadoes, clamp the workpiece to the L-fence and adjust the fence so that the edge of the L-fence is flush with the outside edge of the blade. Then, raise the table saw blade to the desired depth of the dado.

Cleaning Up Dadoes with Precision

Once the L-fence and blade are set up, you can begin cutting the dado. To do this, simply push the workpiece through the saw, keeping the edge of the workpiece flush against the L-fence.

The L-fence will guide the workpiece past the blade, ensuring that the dado is cut to the desired depth and width.

Tips for cleaning up dadoes with precision using an L-fence:

Use a sharp blade. A dull blade will tear the wood, resulting in a rough and uneven dado.
Make sure the workpiece is securely clamped to the L-fence. This will help to prevent the workpiece from moving during the cut, which can also result in a rough dado.
Push the workpiece through the saw at a slow and steady pace. This will help to ensure that the dado is cut cleanly and accurately.

5. Using an L-fence for Box Joints

Box joints are a type of joint used to create strong and durable boxes. They can be made using a variety of tools and techniques, but an L-fence can make the process easier and more precise. To use an L-fence for box joints, follow these steps:

Facilitating Box Joint Construction

An L-fence can facilitate box joint construction by providing a stable and accurate reference point. This is important because box joints require multiple cuts to be made at precise angles.

The L-fence helps to ensure that all of the cuts are made at the same angle, which results in a strong and well-fitting box joint.

Workpiece Clamping and Fence Adjustment

To use an L-fence for box joints, clamp the workpiece to the L-fence and adjust the fence so that the edge of the L-fence is flush with the outside edge of the blade. Then, set the table saw blade to the desired angle for the box joint.

Achieving Seamless Box Joints

To achieve seamless box joints, it is important to make all of the cuts at the same angle. The L-fence can help you to do this by providing a stable and accurate reference point. To make a cut, simply push the workpiece through the saw, keeping the edge of the workpiece flush against the L-fence.

Once you have made all of the cuts, you can use a chisel to clean up the box joint and remove any excess wood. With careful planning and execution, an L-fence can help you to create seamless and durable box joints.

6. Using an L-fence for Tapering

Tapering is a technique used to create angled cuts in a workpiece. It is a common technique used in woodworking to create furniture legs, tapered tabletops, and other components.

An L-fence can make tapering easier and more precise. To use an L-fence for tapering, follow these steps:

Mastering Tapering Techniques

An L-fence can help you to master tapering techniques by providing a stable and accurate reference point. This is important because tapering requires multiple cuts to be made at a precise angle.

The L-fence helps to ensure that all of the cuts are made at the same angle, which results in a uniform and visually appealing taper.

Workpiece Clamping and Fence Adjustment

To use an L-fence for tapering, clamp the workpiece to the L-fence and adjust the fence so that the edge of the L-fence is flush with the outside edge of the blade. Then, set the table saw blade to the desired angle for the taper.

Creating Precise Tapered Cuts

To create precise tapered cuts, simply push the workpiece through the saw, keeping the edge of the workpiece flush against the L-fence. The L-fence will guide the workpiece past the blade, ensuring that the taper is cut to the desired angle.

Tips for creating precise tapered cuts with an L-fence:

Use a sharp blade. A dull blade will tear the wood, resulting in a rough and uneven taper.
Make sure the workpiece is securely clamped to the L-fence. This will help to prevent the workpiece from moving during the cut, which can also result in a rough taper.
Push the workpiece through the saw at a slow and steady pace. This will help to ensure that the taper is cut cleanly and accurately.

7. Using an L-fence for Bevels

Bevels are angled cuts made across the face of a workpiece. They are often used to create decorative edges, chamfers, and other features in woodworking projects.

An L-fence can make cutting bevels easier and more precise. To use an L-fence for bevels, follow these steps:

Crafting Angled Bevels with Ease

An L-fence can help you craft angled bevels with ease by providing a stable and accurate reference point. This is important because bevels require precise angles to be cut in order to achieve the desired aesthetic effect.

The L-fence helps to ensure that all of the cuts are made at the same angle, which results in a uniform and visually appealing bevel.

Workpiece Clamping and Fence Adjustment

To use an L-fence for bevels, clamp the workpiece to the L-fence and adjust the fence so that the edge of the L-fence is flush with the outside edge of the blade. Then, set the table saw blade to the desired angle for the bevel.

Achieving Accurate Beveled Cuts

To achieve accurate beveled cuts, simply push the workpiece through the saw, keeping the edge of the workpiece flush against the L-fence. The L-fence will guide the workpiece past the blade, ensuring that the bevel is cut to the desired angle.

Tips for achieving accurate beveled cuts with an L-fence:

Use a sharp blade. A dull blade will tear the wood, resulting in a rough and uneven bevel.
Make sure the workpiece is securely clamped to the L-fence. This will help to prevent the workpiece from moving during the cut, which can also result in a rough bevel.
Push the workpiece through the saw at a slow and steady pace. This will help to ensure that the bevel is cut cleanly and accurately.

8. Using an L-fence for Resawing

Resawing is a technique used to cut a thick board into thinner boards. It is a common technique used in woodworking to create lumber for furniture making, musical instruments, and other projects.

An L-fence can make resawing easier and more precise. To use an L-fence for resawing, follow these steps:

Simplifying the Resawing Process

An L-fence can simplify the resawing process by providing a stable and accurate reference point. This is important because resawing requires a straight cut to be made through the board. The L-fence helps to ensure that the cut is made straight and parallel to the sides of the board.

Workpiece Clamping and Fence Adjustment

To use an L-fence for resawing, clamp the workpiece to the L-fence and adjust the fence so that the edge of the L-fence is flush with the outside edge of the blade. Then, set the table saw blade to the desired thickness of the resawn boards.

Achieving Consistent Thickness in Resawn Boards

To achieve consistent thickness in resawn boards, it is important to make the cut at a slow and steady pace. The L-fence will help to guide the workpiece past the blade and ensure that the cut is made straight.

Tips for achieving consistent thickness in resawn boards with an L-fence:

Use a sharp blade. A dull blade will tear the wood and make it difficult to achieve a consistent thickness.
Make sure the workpiece is securely clamped to the L-fence. This will help to prevent the workpiece from moving during the cut, which can also make it difficult to achieve a consistent thickness.
Push the workpiece through the saw at a slow and steady pace. This will help to ensure that the cut is made cleanly and accurately.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, woodworking is an art that demands precision, and the often-underestimated L-fence for your table saw can be a game-changer.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ve explored nine ingenious ways to harness the power of the L-fence, elevating your woodworking projects to new heights of ease and precision. From crafting perfect rabbets to achieving seamless box joints and crafting intricate bevels, the L-fence is your trusty companion for impeccable craftsmanship.

So, unlock the full potential of your woodworking endeavors with this versatile tool and watch your projects come to life with precision and finesse.

FAQS:

How do you use an L fence table saw?

An L-fence is clamped to the rip fence of a table saw to provide a bearing surface for workpieces, allowing for accurate cuts.

What is the purpose of an L fence?

The purpose of an L-fence is to provide a bearing surface for workpieces, allowing for accurate cuts on a table saw.

What is a low fence for on a table saw?

A low fence, or L-fence, is used on a table saw to provide a bearing surface for workpieces, allowing for accurate cuts. It can be used for rabbets, miters, bevels, and more.