Fence Extender for Half-Laps
A 2x4 in front of the miter-saw fence holds out the stock so the blade can pass all the way through.
I recently created several half-lap joints on some 4x4s by making a bunch of kerf cuts, knocking out the remaining wood, and cleaning up the flat surface. Setting the depth-stop function on my sliding compound miter saw was a simple way to get consistent depths on the kerfs. But if I tried to use the regular fence on the saw, the blade would stop short before cutting all the way through the 4x4s. To remedy this, I simply placed a 2×4 in front of the fence to hold the 4×4 out so the blade could pass all the way through.
— Grant Alexander; Ottawa, Ont., Canada
RELATED STORIES
- Choosing and Using a Miter Saw
- How to Frame Garden-Shed Walls with Half-Lapped 4X4s
- Kerf Block Speeds the Sawcuts
Got a Tip?
Do you have any great tips like this one on how to make a quick fence extender for half-laps? Share your methods, tricks, and jigs with other readers. Tag them @FineHomebuilding on social, email them to us at [email protected], or upload them to FineHomebuilding.com/reader-tips. We’ll pay for any we publish.
Fine Homebuilding Recommended Products
Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
Cadex 18-Gauge Brad Nailer (CB18.50)
Metabo HPT Impact Driver (WH18DBDL2)
Hitachi Pin Nailer (NP35A)