WOOD SCORE! and question on setting up a table saw.

[bowmike]

SCORE!! found a local furniture/wood working shop I pass on my way home. I called on Friday about seeing what kind of smaller stuff he had. I stopped by this morning and got a piece of oak 2 1/4 x 1 3/4 x 27, and a piece of poplar 1 3/4 x 1 3/4 x 24. Going rate on 2x2x12 is 4.00 so I got 4 of those for 5 bucks. Ill gladly pay $1.25 for a blank of hard wood. I didn't have any cash on me so he said just drop it off when ya have it. Something tells me I will be buying a lot more wood off of him. Great dude. Once I get things rolling I might have to hook him up with a call.

OAK





Poplar





Grain is a little off on the poplar but shouldn't be too bad.

Don't mind the mouth call on the seat. Was playing around with kee kee's this am. Man I am hopelessly addicted to turkey hunting.

Now for the table saw question. I know that I need a 5-7 degree cut on the wood. My table saw does not have the "fence" I believe it is called. Can I clamp a level or something like that on the edge for a "fence" (I don't know all of the lingo yet.)

Also when I set the fence for the 5 degree off set, how do you measure where to set the stop? I am going to get some scrap to practice setting it up but was hoping to get a quick run down from one of you guys on here on how to do it.

I am going to look up some push templates so I can keep my thumb out of the way when I make the cut.

THis will be for a 1 piece box call for starters. will try the two piece one once I get a better grip on my tools and equipment.

[doublespurs21]

nice find on the poplar. I would try to find something else than oak.  cherry,maple and walnut will make very fine calls/. there are a ton of different wood to use but you should not worry about than now. that's later.
 whatever , you use for a table saw fence. be should that fence is clamped down some how, and yes, you need to watch your fingers,. to lay out your box, start at the bottom, find center of the block go 3/8 of a inch on each side of center, cut your 5/7 degree angle, upwards fro the bottom. the thickest part of the box is the top, narrower on the bottom, looking from the end of the box, not that hard to do. just take your time , watch your fingers at all times and have fun,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, chris

[B-Ready]

The tablesaw is one of the most dangerous tool in the shop. Have the up most respect for that tool. I don't know what kind of TS you have, but get the real or after market fence for it.... Your going to spend more time fiddling with the make shift fence than you are cutting your wood. Push blocks are a must.... Try to find the Neil Cost video if you can. It will answer a lot of questions you have. It doesn't show you everything, but it's a good starting point. Good luck!

[longbeard48]

Amen to B-ready's post.  The fence is one of the most important pieces of the table saw.  There are some fine aftermarket fences available, and, as with most other things, you get what you pay for.  Clamping on a makeshift fence can get you hurt real quick.  After you get a good fence, make sure it is perfectly parallel to the blade.  Measure from the fence grooves to the front and back of a blade that is raised all the way up.  If those measurements are not the same, your table top needs to be adjusted.  Welcome to the world of call making, but be VERY CAREFUL!

[ferocious calls]

The oak can make a geat call. It would not be my 1st choice for starting out. Definitely on a real fence. There are some that come with measurement guide. Bessimer makes a dandy. Draw a line vertically on the fence on each end of blade raised high. This is the red zone! it can keep you from trouble. Go slow and focus. Good luck!

[mahoganymann]

The tablesaw is one of the most dangerous tool in the shop. Have the up most respect for that tool. I don't know what kind of TS you have, but get the real or after market fence for it.... Your going to spend more time fiddling with the make shift fence than you are cutting your wood. Push blocks are a must.... Try to find the Neil Cost video if you can. It will answer a lot of questions you have. It doesn't show you everything, but it's a good starting point. Good luck!

I would have to agree with you B-Ready..Since my run in with the "Blade of Death" I have made about as many fixtures as I can dream up!