Powermatic PM3000 User Manual
Page 22

22
Bevel and Miter Operations
Bevel Cut – A bevel cut is a special type of 
operation where the saw blade is tilted at an 
angle less than 90 degrees to the table top 
(Figure 30). Operations are performed in the 
same manner as ripping or crosscutting except 
the fence or miter gauge should be used on the 
right-hand side of the saw blade to provide 
added safety in avoiding a binding action 
between the saw blade and the table top. When 
beveling with the miter gauge, the workpiece 
must be held firmly to prevent creeping. 
Figure 30
Crosscut – Crosscuts made at an angle to the 
edge of the workpiece are called miters 
(Figure 31). Set the miter gauge at the required 
angle, lock the miter gauge, and make the cut 
the same as a normal crosscut except the 
workpiece must be held extra firmly to prevent 
creeping. 
Note: When making compound miters (with 
blade tilted) use the miter gauge in the right 
hand slot to provide more hand clearance and 
safety. 
Have the blade extend only 1/8" above the top of 
the workpiece. Exposing the blade above this 
point can be hazardous. 
Figure 31
Dado Cutting – Dadoing is cutting a wide 
groove into a workpiece or cutting a rabbet 
along the edge of a workpiece. A dado insert, 
shown in Figure 32, is necessary for this type of 
operation. [A dado insert for the PM3000, stock 
no. 1791081, is available from your Powermatic 
dealer.] 
Do not use the standard table
insert for dadoing operations.
Figure 32
The process of cutting 1/8" to 13/16" grooves in 
workpieces is accomplished by the use of a 
stacked dado blade set or an adjustable type 
blade mounted on the saw arbor. By using 
various combinations of the stacked dado 
blades, or properly setting the dial on an 
adjustable blade, an accurate width dado can be 
made. This is very useful for shelving, making 
joints, tenoning, etc. 
The guard, riving knife, and anti-kickback pawls 
supplied with the saw should be used for all 
cutting operations where they can be used. 
When performing operations where the guard 
can not be used, as in some dadoing operations, 
alternative safety precautions should be taken. 
These include push sticks, feather boards, filler 
pieces, fixtures, jigs and any other appropriate 
device that can be utilized to keep operator's 
hands away from the blade. 
Upon completion of the operation requiring 
removal of the guard, the entire guard assembly 
must be placed back on the machine in its 
proper working order. 
Never use a dado head in a
tilted position. Never operate the saw without 
the blade guard, riving knife and anti-
kickback pawls for operations where they 
can be used. 
