Cutting frames on a compound mitre saw

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I am in dire need of some advice. I have been framing for 15 years. I just recently purchased an existing frameshop. It was in bad need of remodeling. The equiptment is ok for the most part. I am having great trouble with the saw. It was rigged with some homemade thing made of wood with measurements. I upgraded the saws with the Phedera fence system. I have had the mitre checked and rechecked. Everything checks out fine. My problem is that I can't cut a good corner to save my life. I have used a Framesquare floor saw years ago and never had a problem cutting nice corners. That saw clamped the frames from the side. The Phadera clamp holds the frame from the top. I wonder if I am putting too much pressure on the frame. I can't get the frames to wedge on the third and fourth corners. They meet in back but there is a huge gap in the front. Also, the saws are only 8 inch blades. Phaderas ad said it was for 10 and 12 inch saws. They told me 8 inch would work. I never in my wildest dreams thought I would be sweating out any of the framing. I have been doing it for years and can do this in my sleep. I can't keep wasting my time and money everytime I cut a frame. I can't afford to order all chops either. Please please anybody with any advice or ideas out there let me hear them. I do believe the Phadera system is good I just feel i am using it wrong or that my saws aren't right. Thanks for any info. Kathy
 
Kathy, the Phadera system should also have side clamps. These clamps take a little getting used to, but they work great. If you can't find them, call Phadera and order a set with instructions. Phadera should clamp first from the side, then from the top.

Make sure your blades are sharp.

A ten inch one arm bandit is not all that expensive, these sell for around $150.00 new. I picked up a used Delta for $50.00 and it still works great.

You must have purchased your Phadera system used or you would have the side clamps. A lot of people will graduate up to the Phadera 12" and sell their 10", the only trouble is, the ten inch clamps are real handy on the 12" system, so these people want to keep the clamps. Go back to the person you purchased it from and tell them to give you your darn clamps. Then read them the riot act for making you go through all this trouble.

John
 
I have tried to cut a mitre with one of those cheap little things, I believe it was an 8" delta. The thing proved to be to wobbly. Finally my wife bought a 10" hitachi at home depot for about $170.00 on sale, works great. Now I use the little one for chopping 2 x 4's when we do remodeling thats about all it's good for.
 
John, After I sent this message I realized I forgot to mention that the blades were brand new also. I have those side clamps also but the person at American Design told me they were only for metal and fillets. The fence system came literally with 13 pages of instructions to set up but nothing as to how to use it. He instructed me over the phone how to use it. I know the saws are inexpensive so maybe I should upgrade to a bigger size. Of course that means I'll have to order a new grid and the new blades will be useless also. I am doing this frameshop on a budget. When I went into this shop I had to make some "educated" choices on what to buy and fix first. Here it is the middle of November and I'm fiddling with my saw. The framing was supposed to be the no brainer stuff for me. I've always run shops for the large chain type stores and could have whatever I wanted and never had to worry about these expenses. Boy am I spoiled!
 
I know this won't be the answer most people want, but I'm a firm believer in getting the best available: help, material, equipment, location; whatever you spend money on, make it the best investment possible.Even if it's more than you think you can afford today, you can't afford not to think about tomorrow.
 
Kathy, when you are using the Phedera system, there must not be any movement of the moulding whatsoever. The moulding rabbit faces you, the back of the moulding is against the fence. Put both side clamps against the moulding, forcing it into the fence. Put both top clamps onto the moulding forcing it flat onto the table, you may need to put some felt under the clamps to protect the moulding. Make your cut and proceed to the next one.

The Phedera system is slow, but it does an excellent job. When your volume picks up, you are going to need some faster equipment. We use our Phaedera systems for multi angle frames and wider mouldings. We use a 10" CTD double cut off saw for the grunt work.

John
 
Check to make sure you are using a very good saw blade , a cheap blade will warp very quickly from the heat put on it ,if you use a single mitre spend the $$$ for a very good blade

gearold

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