TS55 Cutting 45 deg on Small Piece of Ply

[Tim Brennan]

I am just installing some French cleats on my shed wall and I want to use some small 5"x3" plywood offcuts to hang tools.

I need to cut these small pieces at 45 deg and the first thing I am thinking is it too small for the track to grip. Is there a way of using the TS55 and MFT to cut small pieces? If so, how do I minimise the dust?

 

[woodferret]

Double sided tape it to your MFT.  Or build left and end fence out of scrap that in turn is taped down.

 

[PaulMarcel]

Another option would be a 45º chamfer router bit. Not sure the thickness of your ply though.

 

[redcliff]

Assuming there is a reason to not use a table saw.

 

[boasist]

I've taken the slim piece and double stick tape it to another piece that matches the profile, then clamp and cut as usual on the MFT.

If you have painters tape and CA glue it is even cleaner and easier. You don't need much, just enough at a couple of points to brace it during the cut.

 

[ChuckM]

Assuming there is a reason to not use a table saw.

One reason that I can think of is to overcome a challenge that may expand one's mastery of or the versatility of the tool concerned.

I no longer own a track saw (a TS70 previously), but someone showed the clever trick of making bevel cuts (e.g. for beveled cabinet doors) with a track saw on the MFT table, which I believe not too many track saw users know how to do.

 

[Tim Brennan]

Plywood is 18mm (3/4inch)

I don't have a table saw unfortunately.

I will give these tips a go - thanks!