Zero Clearance Insert (Table Saw) Question

For beveled cuts I tend to use the stock throat plate. If its super critical that I keep a sharp edge I use a backer board to prevent chipping.

You can use ZCI if you make a new one for that angle, and the blade goes low enough to fit the ZCI in place with the blade down. many saws they don’t go down far enough, but perhaps a relief cut in the bottom would help that.

I found it more of a bother than it was worth, and just put a strip of hard board under the wood.

OK, that follows what I was thinking. My saw barely went low enough to clear the Rockler ZCI which does have a relief cut in it, so I doubt I’ll be able to do an angled cut.

That said, I can always try it by doing the relief cut with a nice dado blade and see how it all works. I’ve already picked up a second ZCI off eBay made from that ultra dense plastic stuff that I intended to use with my 1/8” kurf blade…but maybe I’ll see if I can use it for a miter ZCI.

Thanks for that info, Marc!

Zero clearance inserts are only for cuts with the blade at 90 degrees. By accident I tilted my blade with my zero clearance insert and both pieces were damaged ($70 blade).

-- Nature is my manifestation of God. I go to nature every day for inspiration in the day's work. I follow in building the principles which nature has used in its domain" Frank Lloyd Wright

You can make the zero clearance inserts, as marc pointed out. Make the relief cut in any manner you feel comfortable- dado blade is a good option.

Make yourself a bunch of hardwood blanks (cheaper that ebay) that fit into your saw- create a method of leveling the insert (screws, inserts, wedges) make the relief cut on each one. Set your saw blade at the angles that are typically used- mine are at 45, 15 and 7 degrees and make the cut in the insert. Label the insert blade angle with a Sharpie. Save a couple of uncut blanks for future use (special angle or replacing worn inserts).

-- Lew- Time traveler. Purveyor of the Universe's finest custom rolling pins.

Lew, that’s exactly what I was thinking. Part of why I got the Rockler and the eBay ZCIs was that I was having issues making an insert from scratch. Now that I just finished a router table, and I have two good inserts to copy from (well, one good one and one that needs touching up), I’ll be making my own from here on out. Though I have to say, I really like the Rockler one…which surprised me as I find much of their stuff really cheap.

Nice SETUP! and nice score on those router tables :o)

as lew said – you could have one ZCI for each angle that you normally use (make sure you mark the insert with the angle, and blade that was used to make it), or you can use a piece of hardboard under the wood to be cut to keep it from ‘falling in’ as marc mentioned.

Another option is to make a cutoff sled, which will always give you zero clearance cuts regardless of which insert you’re actually using in the saw – food for thought.

-- ㊍ When in doubt - There is no doubt - Go the safer route.

Here is a tip…don’t buy any more zero inserts. Instead run over to the closest store that sells kitchen stuff and buy several of those plastic bread boards. Using your insert, cut it to shape with the router and for far less than you can buy those ZCIs you can make several out of one bread board. If they are not thick enough, put some leveling screws on the corners and adjust them.

-- If she asks please tell my wife that I can sell my tools for what I paid, okay?