Porter-Cable 3700L Instruction Manual page 18

CUTTING ALUMINUM
Aluminum extrusions such as used for making aluminum
screens and storm windows can easily be cut with
your compound miter saw. When cutting aluminum
extrusions, or other sections that can be cut with a
saw blade and are within the capacity of the machine,
position the material so the blade is cutting through the
smallest cross-section (Fig. 35). The wrong way to cut
aluminum angles is illustrated in Fig. 36. Be sure to apply
a stick wax to the blade before cutting aluminum stock.
This stick wax is available at most industrial mill supply
houses. The wax provides proper lubrication and keeps
chips from adhering to the blade.
Never apply lubricant to the blade while
the machine is running.
CUTTING BOWED MATERIAL
When cutting flat pieces, check to see if the material is
bowed. If it is, Position the material on the table as shown
in Fig. 37.
If the material is positioned the wrong way (Fig. 38), the
workpiece will pinch the blade near the completion of
the cut.
RIGHT
WORK SUPPORT EXTENSIONS
For support when cutting long pieces, construct a work
support extension. Fig. 39 illustrates the miter saw mounted
on two standard 2 x 4's (A). Fasten the four mounting
legs (two of which are shown at (B) Fig. 39 to the 2 x 4's,
using four screws (not supplied) through the four holes in
the mounting legs. The length of the 2 x 4's (A) can vary,
depending on the workpiece.
NOTE: Ensure that the top of the support 2 x 4's (C) are
level with the miter saw table. This is critical because the
distance from the top of the 2 x 4's (A) to the miter saw table
varies from saw to saw. In most cases, standard 2 x 4's (C)
can used. If these are too high, cut them to fit. If the 2 x 4's
are too low, use 2 x 6's. If these are high, cut them to the
correct height.
FENCE
FENCE
Fig. 37
18
RIGHT
WRONG
WRONG
A B
BLADE
Fig. 35
BLADE
Fig. 36
Fig. 38
C
Fig. 39